Dogs Reproduction Prenatal Articles

Learn more about your dog's reproduction cycle and how to recognize if your dog is pregnant. The more informed you are about what to expect and what to provide during each phase of your dog's full reproduction process, the easier it is to keep your dog (and her pups) healthy throughout her whole pregnancy. Avoid complications with great pre-natal care. Familiarize yourself with the birthing process. This will help you recognize if your dog is having pregnancy complications and needs your assistance through the birthing stage.

• Whelping: Suggestions on How to Prepare

  Dogs giving birth is called "whelping." Dogs carry their young for about 63 days. However, dogs may seem pregnant when they are not.

• Whelping Dogs: Fact Vs. Fiction

  Common misconceptions about whelping dogs include the belief that a drop in temperature conclusively predicts whelping within 24 hours, and the belief that every mother dog is capable of attending to her puppies after whelping.

• Vaginal prolapse

  Vaginal prolapses are often confused with vaginal hyperplasia, also known as vaginal edema.

• Treatment Options for Dog Prostate Cancer

  Dog prostate cancer is a rare disease that may appear in both castrated and non-castrated dogs. Older dogs are more susceptible to this disease, which is often fatal. However, several treatment options exist to try to combat this type of cancer.

• The Impact of Dog Genetics on Health

  There are many different health issues that can arise as a result of dog genetics. Not all of these are going to affect dogs in the same way.

• The Heat Cycle for Female Dogs Explained

  The dog heat cycle can vary dramatically. Dogs go into heat on average twice a year, but some dogs may go into heat three times and many larger breeds only once annually.

• Symptoms of Dogs in Heat

  Female dogs start having estrus cycles once they reach puberty. Dogs in heat present a number of symptoms that you should look out for to be able to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

• Six Common Illnesses Found in Specific Purebred Dogs

  Purebred dogs often suffer from illnesses specific to their breeds. As a prospective pet owner, you may want to obtain a written guarantee of health from a breeder before purchasing a puppy; reputable breeders do their best to ensure that their dogs don't succumb to breed-specific illnesses.

• Reproduction Topics in Dogs

  Having your vet check a swab sample from the vagina to look for signs of estrus or to draw blood for hormonal analysis is also reasonable, especially if this situation repeats itself or if she shows other signs of estrus or of false pregnancy as time goes on.

• Reproduction - When to Breed

  The behavior of your female usually indicates when she is in true estrus - that part of the heat cycle when the female will allow a male to breed her.

• Reproduction - Fetal Resorption

  The most common causes of fetal resorption are inadequate progesterone levels in the bitch, maternal infectious disease (such as brucellosis and canine herpesvirus), endometrial disorders, developmental defects in the fetus (unlikely to affect a whole litter).

• Recognizing a False Canine Pregnancy

  Dogs may seem pregnant when they are not through false canine pregnancy, called pseudocyesis, which follows the estrus cycle.

• Pyometra or Uterine infection in Dogs

  Pyometra is fatal if it can not be eliminated by medical or surgical treatment. It is unusual for antibiotics alone to work effectively for a uterine infection. In most cases, either surgical removal of the uterus, or treatment with prostaglandins and antibiotics in combination is necessary in order to resolve uterine infections. Prostaglandins stimulate muscular contractions of the uterus and help it to clear infections by expelling infectious material.

• Prostate Problems in Dogs

  Treating for prostate cancer this severe usually requires some sort of radical surgery. The favored one, at the present time, seems to be removal of the prostate and anastamosis (joining) of the bladder and colon, so that urine is deposited into the colon and excreted from there with the stool.

• Preparing for Dog Delivery

  Taking part in a dog delivery can be an overwhelming experience, but you need to be prepared with the basic equipment and supplies to make sure your dog has all she needs...

• Pregnant Dogs: Great Expectations When Your Dog Is Expecting

  One of the most important factors to stay on top of with pregnant dogs during the course of their pregnancy is their diet. Pregnant dogs require 1.5 times the normal amount of food at birth, and then up to 3 times as much to support lactation after birth.

• Pregnancy and False Pregnancy in Dogs

  Another common problem is failing to know accurate gestation information. A good way to accurately figure the proper date for delivery is to know when the progesterone peak occurred during the heat period. If progrestone is measured daily the most fertile period is usually around 48 hours after the progesterone level rises above 5 nanograms.

• Pregnancy - False

  False pregnancy symptoms are normal in dogs that have an estrus and do not get bred, due to the way in which they cycle.

• Pregnancy

  Practical information from breeders and vets about reproduction and dog pregnancy.

• Pituitary Dwarfism or Hyposomatotrophism

  In Pituitary dwarfism / hyposomatotrophism a deficiency in pituitary stimulation of growth hormone production leads to dwarfism. This occurs most commonly in German shepherds but has been reported in several other breeds.

• Nutritional Tips for Healthier Dog Nursing

  Dog nursing involves providing newborn puppies with essential nutrients for their growth and survival. Pets that exclusively depend on mother's milk as nutrition also deplete the mother's nourishment and fluid levels.

• Mating Your Dog: Understanding the Genetics Involved

  Mating your dog is a process that involves research, planning, responsibility and knowledge of genetics in order to produce healthy puppies. Irresponsible breeding can lead to increased incidences of genetic disease and unhealthy puppies in both pure and mixed breeds.

• Is My Dog Pregnant?

  Confirming whether or not your dog is pregnant requires a visit to your veterinarian, but there are some signs to look out for that may indicate that your dog is pregnant.

• Infectious Disease - Herpes Virus

  In most cases, a bitch who has been infected with herpes virus prior to being bred will pass on adequate antibody protection to her puppies to keep them from being infected at a time when they are likely to become severely ill or die. This includes bitches who are unlucky enough to become infected during the critical time in a prior pregnancy.

• Infectious Disease - Brucellosis

  Brucellosis is a disease caused by a bacteria, Brucella canis. It is found throughout the world. It is spread through contact with aborted fetuses and discharges from the uterus of infected bitches, during mating, through maternal milk and possibly through airborne transmission in some cases.

• How To Assist Your Dog In Giving Birth

  The stages of dog birth usually require little human participation. A pregnant dog instinctively knows what to do to deliver her puppies.

• How Long Is the Gestation Period for Dogs?

  Dogs that are in heat can get pregnant. The gestation for dogs is around 9 weeks or 63 days on average.

• How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?

  When a dog is expecting a litter, owner’s should find out information on pregnant dog care like how long are dogs pregnant and what signs to look for to determine if a dog is carrying puppies. 

• Giving Your Dog Meds During Pregnancy: Why Most Should Be Avoided

  Dog pregnancy is a delicate time for your dog and her unborn puppies. While some medications are safe and even recommended during dog pregnancy, most should be avoided, as they can harm your dog and her unborn puppies.

• Five Questions To Ask A Potential Dog Breeder

  A reputable dog breeder can be your best friend if you're looking to purchase a purebred puppy. You can find such a breeder by asking your local veterinarian or animal shelter, or by looking for a dog breeder directory recommended by the Humane Society of the United States.

• Female Dogs Problems

  Some dogs have very subtle signs of estrus, or the so-called "silent heat" in which the dog goes into estrus but doesn't show signs of it. This is a variation that is considered to be normal. Male dogs are sometimes really good at detecting estrus periods that are not outwardly apparent, so paying attention to the male's behavior can be helpful.

• Estrus or Heat cycle

  Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog, but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages.

• Dogs Mating: The Process and how to Recognize a Pregnant dog

  The crucial stage of dogs mating can occur anytime after the discharge has stopped, but breeders usually breed dogs on the 9th, 11th or 13th day from the first vaginal discharge.

• Dogs In Heat: Understanding the Cycle

  Dogs in heat go through various cycles, which can vary in length. When a dog reaches puberty, that's when she begins her estrus (or heat) cycle.

• Dog Breeding: A Guide for Success

  You may have noticed that dog breeding has become extremely popular in the United States; furthermore, it is becoming a big-money business for people that own purebred dogs. However, not all dogs are suitable for breeding and many people don't really understand what is required to be successful at breeding dogs.

• Dog Birth Control Options

  Dog birth control should be taken into consideration by pet owners who want to avoid unwanted pregnancies. The birth control options range from neutering to pills.

• Do Mammary Tumors in Dogs Affect the Reproductive System?

  Mammary tumors in dogs are very common and can be successfully treated with early detection. Whether or not these tumors affect the reproductive system of your dog depends on the following factors

• Congenital and Inherited Disorders

  In all three of these conditions (the two above, plus luxating patella problems discussed below) it is very likely that siblings of an affected puppy carry at least some of the genes necessary to produce the condition. Since all three appear to be polygenetic in origin it takes the right combination of several genes to produce disease.

• Chronicle of Early Puppyhood

  One litter - questions from birth to weaning.

• Causes of Excessive Dog Erection

  A persistent dog erection is cause for concern. The causes vary depending on whether your dog is suffering from paraphinosis or priapism.

• Caring for Your Pregnant Dog

  The sooner you confirm your dog is pregnant, the sooner you can provide the best in pregnant dog care. Most dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days.

• Caring for a Dog in Heat

  A dog in heat will likely show some impulsive behavior. If breeding is not a priority for you, your dog will need to be closely monitored during her heat cycles.

• Canine Spay

  When an ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is performed prior to the first heat period in a female dog, the risk of mammary cancer later in life is less than 1%. When OHE is performed between the first and second heat periods the risk is about 8% of mammary cancer later in life.

• Cancer and Tumors - Mammary Tumors

  It is easy to find conflicting advise about mammary tumors in dogs. There are actually some good reasons for this. The first is that there are a lot of different types of mammary tumors and there are even subsets of the recognized tumor types. In general, about 50% of mammary tumors are reported to be adenocarcinomas and carcinomas, which are the malignant forms of mammary cancer.

• Can Dogs Give Birth Prematurely?

  Canine gestation typically lasts for 63 days, although it is perfectly normal when dogs birth their litters within five days of this time. Premature birth in dogs is uncommon but it does occur occasionally.

• Brucellosis

  Brucellosis is a disease caused by a bacteria, Brucella canis. It is found throughout the world. It is spread through contact with aborted fetuses and discharges from the uterus of infected bitches.

• Breeding Purebred Dogs

  Purebred dogs come from genetically closed populations. Purebred dogs are usually very genetically similar to one another, and the rarer the breed, the more this holds true.

• Breeding Dogs: Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

  Breeding dogs is a complicated and costly affair. There are a great number of risks to the health of the dam, to the lives of the pups and to the breeder's pocketbook.

• Best Foods for Pregnant Dogs

  Pregnant dogs require a specialized diet to ensure puppies develop properly. Pregnant dog care needs to be a primary concern, and the dog food you choose impacts fetal health and the overall health of the pregnant dog.

• Abnormalities in Gestation for Dogs

  Gestation for dogs can last anywhere from 56 to 72 days. During this time, a fetus will grow in the mother dog's uterus and will receive oxygen and nutrients from her.

• A Guide to Dog Heat Symptoms

  Dog heat occurs on a cycle that averages around twenty-one days. Your dog's heat cycle brings with it many signs and symptoms; learning to recognize them can make it easier to plan or prevent the birth of puppies.

• A Guide to Artificial Insemination for Dogs

  In today's world, many breeders and veterinarians are looking to artificial insemination in dogs as a very viable option in breeding programs. Time and geographic limitations are less of a consideration, and an exceptional dog's bloodlines can continue even after an unexpected injury or after his death.

• 5 Signs Your Dog Will Soon Be Whelping

  If your dog has been in heat you might want to know if your dog is whelping. You might see some signs that will indicate that your dog is pregnant.

• 5 Health Tests Your Stud Dog Needs

  If you are considering using your purebred male canine as a stud dog, you should be aware that they are many things that will be required before people begin to bring their female dogs to you for breeding. For instance, there are many health tests that are recommended, and sometimes required, by breeders seeking stud services.

• 5 Causes of Dog Vulva Swelling

  Dog vulva swelling is one of the best indications towards your dog being in heat, but can also point to allergic reaction or microbiotic infection. There are five primary causes of vulva swelling.

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