Dog Pregnancy Calendars: Marking Milestones in Canine Pregnancy

Preparing for the arrival of a new litter of puppies can be one of the most exciting chances to witness the miracle of life. Unless you happen to be a veterinarian, it can be very difficult to keep the various stages and milestones of canine pregnancy straight and know what tasks you need to complete to ensure a safe and happy outcome. The following outline of weekly milestones, signs to watch for in your female, and projects you can complete to prepare will help guide you through the big event. It may be very helpful to keep a separate calendar to mark the milestones of your female's pregnancy on.

During the months leading up to your female coming into season, it is important for you to schedule a vet visit and make sure that she is healthy enough to carry a pregnancy. This should include heart worm and genetic testing, any shots she will be due to receive during the next 6 months, and administering any needed flea and tick treatments. Once she becomes pregnant, you will not be able to giver her vaccines or topical or oral flea and tick treatments, so be sure discuss the options for heartworm medications with your vet. Be sure to mark on your calendar what day she went to the vet, what medications she received, and the due dates and dosages for any further medication your vet recommended.

Once you receive a health clearance from your vet and see signs of her coming into season, such as swelling of her vulva and lethargy, you can contact the owner of the male you wish to breed her to and schedule opportunities for her to be bred. The male and female should be given at least two opportunities to mate, roughly 48 hours apart. The first mating is considered Day 1 on your calendar, and all other milestones should be counted from this day.

During the first week, counted from Day 1 to Day 7, many milestones take place. Fertilization of her eggs will occur sometime between Day 2 and Day 5, and the fertilized eggs should implant into the walls of the uterus around Day 7. During this week, your female will show signs of swelling and some clear to blood-tinged discharge from her vulva and should be very interested in the male you have chosen.