How does Sharpei knit. The dog is in heat. Symptoms, frequency, duration. What should the owner do when in heat. Shar Pei. Bitch after giving birth

Female dogs are very attached to their owner, they are distinguished by a docile and friendly character. However, keeping a dog is often associated with some inconvenience for which you need to be prepared.

One of these inconveniences is the natural and inevitable process of estrus in a dog, during this period a calm and obedient pet marks and becomes simply uncontrollable. The pet does not respond to commands, constantly strives to break off the leash and run away, and walks in the yard turn into a difficult process of scaring off annoying males from the dog.

In order to avoid trouble during special periods of your dog's life, you need to know exactly when your dog is in heat, the symptoms and the duration of this process.

Heat in dogs: signs of readiness to reproduce

Heat is a period of a dog's life, which is accompanied by the manifestation of sexual desire, a positive reaction of the dog to the male.

The onset of puberty in a dog depends on the breed, housing conditions and nutrition. In small and medium-sized dogs, the first sexual heat begins to appear at the age of 6-7 months, in large dogs estrus begins at 11-18 months. In order to conceive, bear and raise healthy offspring, a dog must reach not only sexual maturity, but also physiological maturity. It occurs at about the age of two. The time of the onset of physiological maturity in a dog depends on the breed of the animal.

When a dog is in heat, changes occur in the pet's behavior. The animal begins to behave restlessly, can show aggression towards other dogs and towards people. During a walk, the pet does not listen to the owner's commands, it can break off the leash and run away. In some dogs, the onset of estrus can be determined by physiological signs: a pale pink discharge from the loop, the dog begins to mark more often on the street or in the apartment.

How many days does estrus last for dogs: stages of estrus and their duration

The reproductive cycle in dogs has four stages. It is especially important to know the stage of your pet's estrus for those who are planning to breed a dog, since successful mating can occur only on certain days of estrus.

A dog's heat lasts about 21 days. It begins from the moment a pinkish discharge appears. The end of estrus can be considered when the dog becomes inhospitable with the males.

The frequency of estrus in dogs can vary from 6 to 8 months. Several factors, such as the season of the year, hereditary predisposition and emotional state, affect the timing of estrus.

The onset of estrus (proestrus) lasts 6-9 days. During this period, changes in the behavior of the dog are observed: it often marks the territory, attracting males. Dogs of the opposite sex are sensitive to urinary chemicals called pheromones. During the onset of estrus, the dog does not admit the male. When he tries to get closer, the dog jumps back, sits down, growls and drives the dog away.

The second phase of the cycle - estrus, or heat itself, lasts for 9 days. At this time, the dog begins to aim, flirt with the male, she is ready to mate. When touched from behind, it pulls the tail to the side, falls on the front paws.

The third phase of the cycle is metestrus. This is the period of restoration of all processes in the dog's body. Its duration is 60-150 days. Throughout the entire period, the dog does not admit the male.

The fourth phase of the reproductive cycle is anestrus, or the period of sexual rest. It lasts from 100 to 150 days.

The dog marks: what to do and how to avoid the difficulties of estrus?

In order to cope with the manifestations of estrus in a dog, breeders and owners of dogs recommend the use of drugs to regulate sexual heat.

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Many breeders and owners of dogs use Countersex Neo for the following reasons:

High efficiency

With the help of KontrSex Neo preparations, it is possible to effectively correct the behavior of a dog, to solve the problems of aggression, marks in dogs during estrus; prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Convenience

The drug KontrSeks Neo is available in the form of drops and tablets. Each owner can choose the most comfortable form of the drug for his dog, in which it will be convenient for him to give the drug to the animal.

Safety

KontrSek Neo is a new generation bihormonal drug. The drug is safe due to the minimum content of two modern active ingredients

Reversibility of action: in the future, animals can have offspring

The owner can independently apply the drug to the dog without additional consultation veterinarian

4 simple rules for keeping a dog in heat

An important factor is the maintenance of the dog during estrus. If you do not plan to breed a dog and get puppies from it, at the first sign of estrus, you need to start taking precautions:

• Watch the dog closely while walking, exclude all contact with dogs of the opposite sex;
• Walk the dog on a short leash: even the most well-mannered and docile pet can run away during heat, not paying attention to any commands;

• Do not allow the dog to mate - it is almost impossible to take animals apart during intercourse;
• Do not take your dog during estrus to competitions and shows. This will cause concern among the males present at the show. In addition, the dog during estrus weakly perceives commands and is naughty.

Cleanliness comes first

It is important to keep your dog clean during estrus. Most female dogs are very clean and self-lick. However, in some cases, it is necessary to look after the pet additionally. If your dog is well-mannered and knows the command "place", being in the apartment, he will stay in his sleeping place. Your only task will be to regularly change or clean the litter. If your pet is used to walking freely around the apartment, you will have to clean up the inevitable traces behind it. Never punish your dog for this.

Some owners put on special panties or pants on the dog to avoid signs of estrus. Such "clothes" will be able to protect the pet in a special period of her life and will prevent the appearance of stains on the floor, carpets and furniture in the apartment.

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Suitable days for knitting sharpei and features. How is the process going? With whom you can and cannot knit dogs of this breed. Crossbreeding problems and assistance. Description of the Shar Pei mestizo with other breeds.

Shar Pei is one of the oldest breeds. China is considered its homeland, and the Chow Chow is the closest relatives. They have many similarities and characteristics: size, colored language, place of origin and purpose. Sharpeyevs were used for hunting, security and entertainment.

The breed is known to have existed over 3000 years ago. This is evidenced by genetic tests, ancient images. Shar Pei were popular with the nobility and peasants until the 50s of the 20th century. Then the Chinese government banned the keeping of dogs, considering them useless creatures.

Within a short time, the number of pets was reduced to a minimum. Shar Pei remained in the suburbs of Hong Kong, as well as in Taiwan, where there was no ban on them. Before the government sanctions on animals, fans of gambling became interested in them.

Sharpeevs were used for fighting, mixing with them the blood of Western breeds. However, the hobby soon subsided, as the dogs were reluctant to fight and rarely emerged victorious from the rings.

The modern appearance of Shar-Pei differs from the original for one more reason. During the restoration of the breed after the ban, the remaining individuals were collected and redeemed throughout the country and abroad. Chinese and Taiwanese dogs were crossed with mestizo and other breeds in an attempt to revive the herd.

The enthusiasts managed to return the popularity and numbers of the Shar-Pei. They became interested in the USA, where such dogs quickly gained recognition.

Today this breed is not endangered. It is recognized by major international cynological associations.

All about knitting sharpei

Each breed has original characteristics. Sharpei breeders have long sought restoration, similarity with the source. The manifestation of cross-breeding traits is considered a marriage, because when crossing outside the breed, the standard character and exterior are lost.

In addition, no one can find out what the puppies will be in health and appearance, and the fate of such offspring is not always rosy.

Therefore, it is necessary to approach the mating of a pet consciously, evaluating its advantages and disadvantages. They can be inherited even after several generations.

A competent approach will not only avoid bad health, but also increase your dignity.

Time for mating

Shar Pei bitches are ready to mate on certain days of heat. Usually it lasts 18-21 days, and the optimal time to go to a dog is in the middle of it - 10-15 days. Fertilization does not occur before and after.

Important: Every dog ​​is different. Sometimes they have hormonal disruptions or peculiarities of the body, leading to a change in the standard timing of estrus and ovulation.

1. Bitches - after 20 months;
2. Males - after 24 months.

In the RKF system, documents for litter from parents with pedigrees and admissions from shows can be obtained if the bitch or dog is already 15 months old on the date of mating, but not earlier than the second estrus.

Several ways will help to find out the optimal timing for knitting. Inspection of the loop is carried out from the first day of estrus. At the moment of readiness ("hunting"), it is swollen and when lightly pressed on its acute angle, it increases.

The second way is to press on the dog's croup with your hand, then it will move its tail to the side. The onset of the "hunt" will be prompted by discharge, they become less intense and practically without blood.

There are also lab tests for progesterone. One can learn to examine the discharge from the loop during estrus under a conventional microscope, but this requires specific knowledge.

How is mating

If the Shar Pei bitch is ready, then she is taken to a pre-selected male. It is advisable to prepare a separate room or aviary for this, invite an experienced mating instructor.

A bitch and a Sharpei male usually get to know each other for the first time. Then comes the moment of mating. The male jumps on the bitch and mates with her. After ejaculation, the loop swells and clamps the male's genital organ, thus creating a "lock" or glueing.

It can last from 10 minutes to several hours. The dogs are left alone. It is recommended to repeat knitting after 2 days.

Mating problems

If a Shar Pei bitch is the largest dog, then they help him to climb on it, but carefully. You can also move the bitch if her partner does not reach the noose by holding her palm under her belly.

Hormonal disturbances do not always make it clear that the Shar Pei is in heat. They can pass without spotting, behavior changes. There are also anatomical abnormalities. In these cases, the dog is shown to the veterinarian to determine the nature of the problem.

Some bitches are very willful and aggressive. Then they put on a muzzle and hold her during knitting. Shy males who behave indecisively are assisted by an instructor. Perhaps the presence of strangers or inexperience hinders the Shar-Pei.

Important: There is a method of artificial insemination. The male sperm is frozen, and the instructor or veterinarian injects it manually using special devices. This allows for offspring from excellent dogs that live far away.

Pregnancy of a bitch in the first 2-3 weeks is almost invisible. Therefore, in case of unsuccessful mating, it is repeated on the next one, if the dog is healthy. This is possible in about 5-12 months. After giving birth, it is recommended to knit the dog in a year so that it recovers.

Who to knit sharpey with

Responsible breeders can match mates and wait years for the right mate to appear. There are line breeding in which shar pei have a certain set of merits.

Contrary to popular beliefs about the dangers of inbreeding (crossing with close relatives), this method is effective if the selection is made carefully.

You should not knit Sharpei with representatives of other breeds. Puppies from such matings are called mestizos and do not carry breeding values. Their characters and physiology are unpredictable.

You cannot knit a dog if it has:

1. Hereditary or chronic diseases;
2. Vices;
3. Non-standard color;
4. Disgraceful behavior, cowardice, aggression.

Only from a pair of healthy Sharpei with good anatomy and psyche can the same offspring be expected. There are exceptions, but they are very rare.

Metis with sharpei

Targeted or casual mating is not uncommon. First generation Sharpei mestizos are easily recognizable by some features in their appearance. For example, a puppy with an elongated and full muzzle was born from a pair of Shar Pei and a German shepherd.

Shar Pei often convey the set and shape of the ears, if they do not hang in the second parent. Then the mestizo have small ears with the ends bent down. Heterochromia (eyes of different color) and high legs are likely to be transmitted from the husky, the bone will decrease in comparison with the sharpei.

The structure of the coat in puppies from dogs of other breeds can be of a very different structure. The mestizo with the American Staffordshire Terrier has medium-length top coat, and the color is similar to the zone one, like in German shepherds.

Preparation for mating

The documentary part is completed, the mating has taken place, you must submit the completed and signed direction to the club (nursery) within 3 days after the test mating. Based on the direction for mating, the club will register the litter, you must inform the club (kennel) about the birth of puppies within 2 days, indicating the number of puppies, sex and colors. Without a referral for mating, the club (nursery) will not register a litter, i.e. your puppies will not receive documents. Also, based on the terms of calculation for mating, fixed in the direction, the club (kennel) controls the timeliness and correctness of the calculation between the owners of the male and female. If one of the owners has violated the terms of payment, the club has the right not to issue documents for the puppies.
On the third day after the birth of the puppies, the staff of the club (kennel) should inspect the puppies. Inspection of newborn puppies is carried out at the place of residence of the bitch.
The final registration of the litter is carried out by the club employees at the age of about 35-45 days (for example, in our kennel, puppies under 3 kg are not activated). The club issues a general litter card to the owner of the bitch in which all the shortcomings identified in the puppies are recorded, puppies without shortcomings are marked, which in the future may be given a pedigree. Branding of puppies is usually carried out at the same time. After the sale of the last puppy, the owner of the breeding bitch is obliged to return the completed litter card to the club (kennel) within 3 days; In addition to the general marking, the club issues a document for the sale of each puppy or a puppy card, this document is a guarantee for the puppy buyer that the animal is healthy, meets the breed standard and, upon reaching 6 months, can receive a pedigree (subject to correct breeding and maintenance).

Male
Male Chinese Shar-Pei are allowed to breed work upon reaching 18 months. To participate in breeding work, a male must have an exhibition mark of at least "excellent". Males that do not have a show score are not allowed for breeding. The exhibition score is confirmed annually. In addition to the show evaluation, a Shar-Pei male must have a veterinarian's conclusion that the animal has no hip dysplasia, confirmed by an X-ray. A dog that does not have a picture and a veterinarian's opinion is not allowed to breed.
Before mating, the owner of the dog must agree on the terms of payment for mating.
Immediately before mating, the dog must be walked well, and then washed.
It is not recommended to knit a Shar Pei dog more than once a month. If mating occurs in a hot period, it is advisable to designate the time either in the morning or in the evening. Feed the dog two hours before mating. For a male, especially a young one, not untied, the presence of a mating instructor is very important. A young male, admitted to a bitch for the first time, usually does not know what he should do. A competent instructor will teach, help, give a boost, and the owner of the dog must morally support his pet. In no case should you laugh at the mistakes of the dog, or scold the dog during mating. Your task is to cheer up the dog, try on a dog with the presence of an instructor.
Advice to owners of male puppies. If you want your dog to actively mate as an adult (he did cages himself, did not bounce off the bitch when you approached, etc.), never scold or punish the baby when he “sticks to the girls” in the game, it is better with the help persuasion and treats distract the dog if the owner of the bitch is unhappy, or by mutual agreement, do not pay attention to your pet's games. It is also necessary to distract the puppy from the bitch, if she is aggressively disposed, can snap back or bite the baby, so that later when mating, the dog does not bounce off the slightest turn of his partner's head.

Mating by a Sharpei dog

When buying a puppy - a male, you should immediately set yourself up to the fact that, most likely, he will not have matings. Of course, you can go to exhibitions, earn titles, but if the dog is not imported, if in two years he has not become an inter- or multi-champion, if he is not the only dog ​​of a rare and expensive color in his breed, if you are an ordinary owner the only dog, then you can not count on mating. Yes, it is possible that your dog can be an excellent sire. But if you do not have personal bitches on which you can get 2-3 litters from him and make him advertise with puppies of excellent quality, then very few people dare to take the risk and go to mating with an untested dog. find owners of bitches ready to mate with your dog. However, if it is a bitch without documents (and in most cases it turns out that way), then you cannot count on profit - for mating you will be offered a puppy, which will be difficult to sell, such puppies are very cheap and in the future it is these puppies that become the first candidates refuseniks, and it is possible that having sold the alimony puppy without documents, in six months or a year the owners will return it to you, having come up with a bunch of reasons for refusal. But suppose that you are still lucky - there were owners who are ready to mate their bitches with your sharpei and register the litter officially. But what next? And then your dog becomes untied. Your dream has come true, but in most cases deep disappointment awaits you. Your calm and affectionate home boy suddenly begins to show character: while walking, he does not play with you, but sniffs out something all the time, he wants to fight with any dog, he drags you to all the bitches, he tries to run away from you for a dog wedding, at home he can snap back and even fight with someone from the family, even with a child. What happened? It's simple - you have increased the social status of the dog with a viscous one. Now he felt like a leader, and you and your family are now subordinate to him. To regain your status, you now have to train and deal with your pet rather harshly. Another problem is that the scent is too subtle. An untied dog can smell a bitch in heat at a very long distance. As a result, he stops sleeping at night, wanders around, interfering with the owners' rest, refuses to eat and may even start howling, annoying the owners and neighbors all day long.

But let's suppose that this problem did not affect you. The character did not change after the first mating. However, you cannot trample against nature - an untied dog needs a regular sex life... Can you provide it to him? Can you find a few more bitches to mate at least 4-5 times a year? Otherwise, the dog may develop health problems, such as prostatitis. No, of course, you can take the easiest path - let the dog fly free, hoping that he will find himself a girlfriend to satisfy his instincts. But as a result, at best, you will have to treat venereal diseases in a dog, and the operation to remove a venereal sarcoma is comparable in price to the cost of a puppy. And in the worst case, he will die from the teeth of competitors more adapted to the free life or fall under the wheels of a car.

Therefore, buying a male puppy now, buying it for a very reasonable price, ask yourself - are you ready to feed and love him all your life, not counting on a return, not counting on puppies from him? If not, then do not buy, but go and save money, and we will try to give you advice on where and for how much you can buy yourself one that will be in demand in the future (possibly!). Or buy a bitch - for even an average quality bitch can give birth to puppies from an outstanding male. And if you are ready to have just a pet at home, then you can protect yourself from problems associated with instincts by castrating it at the age of about a year. As practice shows, castrated animals get sick less, live longer and have a calmer temperament. At the same time, dogs, unlike cats, do not become obese and slow and do not have problems with the genitourinary system after castration. But this is not necessary either - with age in inseparable animals, the reproductive instincts fade away, and at 3-4 years old the dog ceases to be interested in bitches.

So, after weighing all the pros and cons, you decided to breed your bitch. Please notify your club or kennel to find the right type of dog for your bitch. Do not forget to take a mating referral at the club. Agree in advance with the owner of the dog about the day of the proposed mating and the conditions of mating; write down all the nuances in the "Act of mating". Conditions can be different - for money (usually the average price of a puppy), for a puppy, etc. and may depend both on the titles, breeding qualities of the dog, on the titles and breeding qualities of your bitch, and on the unreasonable requests of the owner.

It is a good idea to determine when your dog is ready to mate on what day after the onset of estrus, even during the first pimples (leaks) of your dog. During life, the timing of ovulation sometimes shifts. If two or more bitches live in the house, often there is a "synchronization" of the sexual cycles. The conditions of detention, the nature of the diet, physical or nervous stress, including frequent exhibitions, long journeys affect all functions of the body, especially the reproductive. Shar Pei bitches can have their first estrus at either six or fifteen months of age. This is very individual. Typically, the reproductive cycle in dogs lasts 5-9 months. It is possible to knit Shar Pei bitches according to the RKF rules no earlier than 15 months.

The pause lasts, as a rule, 2-3 weeks. During heat, the loop swells, bleeding... The dog becomes restless, disobedient, on the street flirts with males. Of course, at the first sign of estrus, you should only walk the dog on a leash, not trusting children to walk. In no case leave the dog at the summer cottage, even if it is surrounded by a seemingly reliable fence. The period of sexual heat (estrus) lasts about a week (sometimes 3-12 days). The bitch is ready for mating: the loop is slightly reduced in volume, but becomes softer. The discharge brightens significantly, acquires a creamy shade. When stroking on the back at the base of the tail, the dog freezes and pulls the tail to the side, when it touches the crotch, it pulls the loop up. Ovulation occurs most often 1-3 days from the start of the hunt (sometimes 5-7 days or even 2 days before it). Usually mature follicles ovulate within 24 hours. However, eggs become fertile only after 2-3 days. The sperm of a healthy male retains fertility in the genital tract of the female for about a week. The optimal mating time for most dogs is considered to be 8-18 days from the onset of estrus. In some dogs, the puddle lasts more than three weeks, and ovulation sometimes occurs against the background of still quite bright bloody discharge. You can clarify the moment of ovulation by a laboratory method, determining the ratio of cellular elements in a smear from the vagina of a bitch. During ovulation, when the body of the bitch is saturated with estrogens, superficial, keratinized non-nuclear cells predominate in the smears. At home, the saturation of the body with estrogens can be determined by the symptom of saliva crystallization. To do this, it is convenient to use the Arbor microscope test designed to control ovarian function in women.

If it is not known on what day your dog is ovulating, knit it on the 11th day, with a control knit on the 13th day. Mating is best done in the morning before feeding, after taking a good walk for both the bitch and the dog. Usually a bitch is brought to a dog - then he feels more confident and easier to cope with his task. If a dog is knitting for the first time, his owners invite an experienced instructor who will help to correctly mate. An unsuccessful first attempt can cause difficulties for the further use of the dog as a sire. A control mating is usually carried out in a day.

Dogs are knitted mainly with a "lock". "Castle" is the bonding of a bitch and a dog during mating, which occurs as follows. After the penis is inserted in the vestibule of the vagina, the male makes rhythmic movements that lead to the contraction of the muscles of the female's vagina. The bulb of the penis increases, there is a spasm of the muscles of the vagina, which leads to a "lock". If the mating took place without a "lock", do not be upset - this will not affect the birth rate.

The "Castle" lasts 10-30 minutes. The bitch can scream, moan and growl at the moment of munching - it's not scary. The flow of a mated Shar Pei bitch can stop immediately after mating, or it can continue. Both are normal. In either case, you must protect your bitch from re-mating with an unwanted dog. Why does the bitch remain empty after a normal mating? There are several reasons. Incorrectly chosen mating period, unsuitable condition of the bitch for mating (too thin or too thick), gynecological diseases, poor male sperm condition (poor sperm motility or low concentration) and much more.

Duration of pregnancy

The duration of pregnancy for dogs is 63 days. 9 weeks. The spread of several days is most likely determined by the fact that the day of mating does not coincide with the day of conception, since the sperm of a healthy male is capable of fertilizing eggs within a few days after mating. The duration of pregnancy also depends on the number of puppies - with multiple pregnancies, childbirth occurs within 1-2 days ahead of time... When carrying one or two puppies, the bitch can walk around, and normal childbirth is not uncommon until the 72nd day. Puppies born before term have poor vitality, they have a reduced sucking reflex. Puppies born before day 57 do not survive.

Failed and false pregnancy

Many experts distinguish between failed and false pregnancies as: in the first case, the state of a mated, but not pregnant bitch, and in the second, the state of an unbound ("restrained") bitch.

The reasons for the missed pregnancy can be stress or illness, when the embryos in the mated bitch dissolve on early stages pregnancy. Hormonal changes, which began after fertilization, continue after resorption, as a result of which the bitch has strong signs of pregnancy: weight gain, behavior change, breast enlargement, etc.

The cause of a false pregnancy is an excess of a specific hormone that makes the bitch behave as if she is mated and waiting for puppies.

The condition of the bitch is similar in both cases, she behaves as if she is going to whelp. The instinct is so strong that it forces the bitch to simulate pregnancy, preparation for childbirth, and sometimes even the birth itself. Two months after the middle of heat, she begins to look for a secluded place, scratching the floor. The bitch lets out milk and begins to "nurse" small soft objects - from soft toys to house slippers.

Do not let your bitch enter the role of the mother, eliminate the nest she created, although she is likely to protest. If the "game" is allowed to go too far, its condition will only worsen. Pick up the items she nurses, distract her, enlarge physical exercise and walk more on the street. To avoid the appearance of milk, reduce the diet, exclude high-calorie foods, do not give it a lot of fluids. After about a week of this regime, everything will return to its place.

The course of pregnancy

In the first half of pregnancy, it is impossible to say for sure if the bitch is pregnant. Signs such as swelling of the mammary glands, increased appetite, and an increase in body volume can also be observed in a non-pregnant bitch. However, there are signs that are more likely to indicate mating success, although they may appear to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the individual characteristics of your dog.

Behavior change

Many bitches change their behavior immediately after mating. They become calm, "sad" in the words of some owners. They are not as active during walks as before, avoid rough games, begin to be afraid of other people's dogs, and avoid confrontations in every possible way. With the owners, they become unusually affectionate.

Toxicosis

Toxicosis of pregnant women is observed in bitches precisely at the time when embryos attach to the walls of the uterus, i.e. 10-20 days after mating. The dog looks lethargic, a little unhealthy, its appetite decreases or disappears. In the morning, although not necessary, she may be vomiting with foam. With toxicosis, vomiting begins suddenly, without effort on the part of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, as is the case when the dog is simply cleaning. It is believed that the toxicosis is the stronger, the more puppies the bitch has or the weaker her liver. During this period, it is not necessary to force the bitch to eat, and there should always be clean drinking water.

Increased nipple pigmentation

By 4-5 weeks of gestation, the bitch has increased nipple pigmentation. If the nipple is pigmented (it has a black or brown spot), then the color saturation increases and the skin becomes, as it were, glossy. If the nipple is not pigmented (i.e. located on a white area), then it turns bright pink. In this case, an increase in the mammary glands also occurs. By week 7 and beyond, the nipples greatly increase, become soft, and colostrum appears a few days before delivery.

Inability to endure

Some bitches at the end of the first half of pregnancy (30-34 days) cannot stand the whole night and leave a puddle in the morning. This happens literally within 3-4 days, then everything is normalized and the incidents do not repeat until the very birth. Apparently anatomically at this time, the embryos are located in such a way that they press on the bladder.

The appearance of discharge

Many consider the appearance of mucous, transparent discharge from the bitch's loop on days 32-35 as a positive indicator of pregnancy. If the bitch is clean and cuddly, then it can be difficult to notice this discharge. As the gestational age increases, the loop gradually swells, increasing significantly by 8 weeks and further to childbirth, and the transparent viscous discharge increases. The appearance of a greenish discharge is the first sign of an impending birth.

Increase in volume

The bitch figure change starts with chest- it spreads out in the ribs, the back becomes wide. Depending on the number of puppies being bred and the individual structural characteristics of the bitch itself, this appears at 5-6 weeks. Gradually, the fullness diverges to the entire lumbar region, the waist disappears. By 6-7 weeks, the belly is clearly visible, especially when the bitch lies on her side, the net weight of puppies and water with the number of seven puppies is already about 1/4 of the dog's weight. 7-10 days before giving birth, if you put your hand to your stomach, you can feel light jolts - moving the puppies. A few days before giving birth, the abdomen drops, while the sides of the bitch are again marked. The belly weight in the last days before childbirth reaches 1/3 of the dog's weight. If the bitch is broad-bodied and is carrying 1-2 puppies, there may not be any obvious changes in volume. In this case, the question of whether the bitch is pregnant can torment the owner until the very birth.

Methods for determining pregnancy

An experienced veterinarian can determine by palpation if the bitch is pregnant at 23-28 days. These days, puppies are felt as small hard lumps. Then the formation of amniotic fluid begins around the embryos, and lumps are not felt through it. If you certainly want to know if a bitch is pregnant and how long you have to wait for puppies, then you can use the Ultra Sound Test (US). This is a safe method of research, in contrast to X-rays, which are harmful to the offspring. An experienced doctor looking at a monthly pregnancy will be able to determine the pregnancy and the number of embryos for sure.

Taking care of a bitch during pregnancy

Nutrition. Many believe that from the first days after mating, the bitch needs to increase her diet, but this is not the case. In the first half of pregnancy, embryos do not develop very actively, reaching only size by 4 weeks walnut... The mother's body has sufficient reserves to ensure their growth even without additional food. If you increase the amount of food immediately, then it will go to fat deposits in the sides of the bitch, and this will be a hindrance during childbirth. Of course, the quality of food should be high, the basis of the diet should be meat, fish, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, but not porridge and pasta. From the very first half of pregnancy, you can start giving one of the mineral supplements, for example, MAMA 1, KOSTOCHKA, BOLFO, BEVI-DOG strictly in the doses recommended according to the instructions. The puppies, while developing, will take all the necessary trace elements from the mother, and if they are not replenished with additional feeding, the bitch's health can be seriously affected. So, for example, a lack of calcium during gestation can cause eclampsia (milk fever), a disease that, in severe cases, leads to the death of the bitch. Many dry food breeders switch the bitch to special maternity food. In this case, no additional feeding is required, since feed developers take into account the need for all the necessary elements. Feeding frequency should be the same as before mating.

From the second half of pregnancy, especially after 35-40 days, when puppies are developing intensively, you need to increase the amount of food due to protein-containing products: meat, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, and vegetables. The number of groats and bakery products should remain the same. If the bitch is not greedy for food, then you need to feed her as much as she wants. Puppies, increasing in size, fill with themselves abdominal cavity by putting pressure on the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the bitch cannot eat the amount of food at one time that she ate before pregnancy, so divide the daily portion into several parts and feed it in several doses - three or four depending on the bitch's well-being. Accordingly, it is necessary to bring the bitch out so that she recovers more often. Throughout the pregnancy, and especially in the second half, the bitch must always have clean drinking water. As the puppies grow, the amount of amneotic (amniotic fluid) increases and the bitch drinks frequently to replenish her internal water supplies. A week before giving birth, it is recommended to remove meat and strong meat broths from her diet. It has been noticed that they can provoke eclampsia. Often the bitch herself refuses these products. Many bitches do not lose their appetite until the very birth, and some completely refuse food more than a day before this event. Both are normal. Proper nutrition during pregnancy is an important factor in the health of the mother and offspring in the postpartum period.

Medications. Remember that most medications should not be given to the bitch during pregnancy. Especially antibiotics, which have a detrimental effect on embryos and suckling puppies. Before giving any medicine, even the most harmless in your opinion, carefully study the annotation for its use and consult your veterinarian.

Walking. In the first half of pregnancy, you should not change your walking regimen. Walk your bitch with the same intensity as before mating. Do not put your bitch on a leash, protecting her from everything and everyone, and treat her like she is sick. Pregnancy is a normal physiological condition and the bitch needs to run and warm up. But you should not do the opposite - greatly increase the volume of walks and load, as sometimes happens when the owner finds out that it is good for his loaded fat bitch. Make sure that your dog does not jump over obstacles, as doing so may bump his belly against the edge. This is especially dangerous during long periods of pregnancy, when intrauterine fetal death is possible due to a stroke. Watch also that strangers big dogs did not pin down or injure your bitch. As a rule, she herself becomes careful when playing with other dogs, avoiding rough violent collisions. With an increase in gestation, the bitch is less willing to leave home, gets tired faster. At this time, you need to go outside more often, 4-5 times a day, but the duration of walks should be short.

It is best to provide the bitch with such a regime that she, at her discretion, goes out and goes home. Then she would not lie on the couch, but run and train her muscles, especially the abdominal muscles - so necessary for pushing and expelling fruits, and with signs of fatigue - she would return to her place and restore strength. In a private house or in a summer cottage, dogs live this way, especially in the summer. Bitches, who are able to move as much as they want during pregnancy, have well-developed muscles for childbirth, without signs of obesity and flabbiness, which is why childbirth is easy for them.

Five days before giving birth, the bitch stops running, walks more, although she is quite active. If she lived with you "on the ground", then before giving birth she must be washed with all care. In no case in the bathroom, it can slip, and it is very difficult to lift - put - pull it back out, it can result in injury. It is better to do this on the ground in the summer, or just wipe the bitch with a damp cloth (especially carefully - the mammary glands, because newborns will suck milk from them) if it is cold outside. The bitch shouldn't be overcooled. With a long gestation period, it is not advisable to carry the bitch in the car. If the trip is necessary, then drive very carefully, without making sharp turns at high speed. Help your dog get into the car and do not let him jump out of the car on his own after stopping.