Pregnancy Timeline
Week One (Day 1-7, 3/18 – 3/24)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Fertilization occurs
• 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
• The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Possible morning sickness
• Possible personality changes
CARE OF MABEL
• Normal feeding
• Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering
• No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments)
• No live vaccines
TO DO LIST
• Nothing special this week
Week Two (Days 8-14, 3/25 – 3/31)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week
• Embryo enters the uterus
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Possible morning sickness
CARE OF MABEL
• Continue as with Week One
TO DO LIST
• Nothing special this week
Week Three (Days 15-21, 4/1 – 4/7)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Day 19 (4/5)– Implantation of embryos in uterus
CHANGES IN MABEL
• See above
CARE OF MABEL • See above
TO DO LIST
• Nothing special this week
Week Four (Days 22-28, 4/8 – 4/14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Development of eyes and spinal cords
• Faces take shape
• Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
• Organogenesis begins– Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects
• Days 26 – 32 (4/12 – 4/18) are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies)
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Possible clear vaginal discharge
• Mammary development begins
CARE OF MABEL
• After Day 26 (4/12), palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy
• Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs)
• Add a hard boiled egg to food on alternating days
TO DO LIST
• Schedule ultrasound or Relaxin test (after day 30) to confirm pregnancy.
Week Five (Days 29-35, 4/15 – 4/21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
• Fetuses look like dogs
• Gender can be determined
• Eyes (previously open) now closed
• Fetuses grow from 18 mm – 30 mm
• Organogenesis ends — embryos are fairly resistant to interference with development
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Swelling becomes noticeable
• Loss of “tuck-up”
• Weight will start to increase
CARE OF MABEL
• Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy food.
TO DO LIST
• Nothing special this week
Week Six (Days 36-42, 4/22 – 4/28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Development of skin pigment
• Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
• Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Nipples darken and enlarge
• Abdomen continues to enlarge
CARE OF MABEL
• Add hard boiled egg to food daily
• Increase the amount of food
• She should start sleeping in whelping box
TO DO LIST
• Assemble whelping box
• By this time I should be fairly sure that Mabel is pregnant.
Week Seven (Days 43-49, 4/29 – 5/5)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Growth and development continues
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Abdomen hair will start shedding
• She will start to look pregnant at this point
CARE OF MABEL
• Slightly increase both meals
TO DO LIST
• Stop any roughhousing or jumping
• Radiographs (X-rays) possible to determine number and size of puppies
Week Eight (Days 50-56, 5/6 – 5/12)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Fetal movement can be detected when Mabel is at rest
CHANGES IN MABEL
• Milk may be squeezed from nipples
• She will be very large.
CARE OF MABEL
• Add moderate lunch
TO DO LIST
• Gather whelping kit
Week Nine (Days 57-63, 5/13 – 5/19)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
• Growth and Development continues
• Puppies can safely be born from now on
CHANGES IN WENDY
• Nesting behavior may be seen
• She may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable)
• Temperature should be around 100.2-100.8 degrees Fahrenheit
• When temperature drops to around 98-99.4 degrees Fahrenheit, puppies should be born within 24 hours
• Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches
CARE OF MABEL
• Start taking temperature three times a day
TO DO LIST
• Notify vet or emergency clinic when temperature drops so that they will be ready if you have any problems
• Keep detailed records on temperature and behavior of Mabel
• Double check that whelping supplies are ready Post Partum
• Make sure each puppy gets some of Mabel’s colostrum (first milk) within first 24 hours.