For how long is a dog pregnant?

Answer

The duration of pregnancy from conception to birth is called gestation. The length of gestation in dogs is normally 61 to 63 days.

While most dogs will have an uneventful pregnancy, sometimes problems occur that may necessitate early birth or a veterinarian-assisted birth (such as a caesarian section). For instance, toy breeds that are bred with larger dogs may have puppies that are too big to pass through the mother's birth canal; bulldogs may have complications because they have large heads relative to the size of the birth canal; and death of one or more fetuses can cause complications warranting early removal of the puppies.

If your dog is pregnant, or if you're planning to breed her, be sure to talk with your veterinarian so you know what to expect and what changes you may need to make in your dog's care and feeding.

What should I do when my dog is in heat?

Answer

A dog's heat cycle is made up of two basic phases. The first, proestrus, is when she is bleeding but hasn't yet ovulated. That usually lasts anywhere from seven to 14 days. The second phase is estrus, when the bleeding slows down or even stops. This is when the dog is ovulating and is fertile.

This is important to understand, because many owners will keep their dog inside until the bleeding stops and then let her outside. Soon after, they have a pregnant dog. To be on the safe side, keep your dog indoors for at least two weeks after she stops bleeding. When she has to go out to eliminate, keep her in your yard and watch her very closely.

To protect your carpet and furniture from the blood, you can buy "doggie diapers" at most pet stores. They come in range of sizes, and most dogs adjust to them fairly quickly.

Unless you are planning on breeding your dog, you may want to consider having her spayed. There are several health advantages to spaying female dogs and cats. For more information on how neutering can benefit you and your pet.

how soon can I tell if my dog in pregnant?

Answer

Luckily for your pooch, you don't have to wait for her to gain weight to tell if she's pregnant. There are a lot of nutritional and other health precautions that you should take with a pregnant dog to keep her and her puppies healthy, so it's best if you learn whether she's pregnant as soon as possible.

A veterinarian can determine whether she's pregnant at about three weeks after breeding, either through blood testing, ultrasound, or a physical examination. Unless a breeder needs to know the specific number of puppies or the dog's health is in danger, a physical examination of the abdomen is generally all that is necessary.

At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

Answer There are many factors to consider in selecting the correct time to spay or neuter your pet. Most veterinarians will suggest doing it shortly after the completion of puppy vaccines, which is around five months of age. In the case of male pets it may be an especially good idea to neuter them at this time before they develop bad habits, such as aggression.

To reduce the overpopulation problem in companion animals, the American Animal Hospital Association supports neutering of cats and dogs as early as eight to 16 weeks of age in animal care and control facilities.

What are the advantages of neutering my dog?

Question

I have a one-year-old male chocolate lab who is not neutered. Could you tell me the advantages of neutering? Is it a painful procedure?

Answer

Modern medicine allows us to do most all surgical procedures without pain. Dogs can be given pre-surgery pain relievers as well as pain medication during the procedure. Take-home medications to keep your dog comfortable are also available.

There are many behavior benefits associated with neutering. Neutered male dogs are less likely to roam and thereby less likely to be hit by a car. Neutering also decreases a dog’s desire to show aggression or dominance to other male dogs or people.

Health benefits of neutering include a reduction in the incidence of testicular disease and prostate cancer.

If you have a family and wish your dog to be your family pet, the best thing in terms of your dog’s health and behavior is to have him neutered.