Features of caring for a pregnant Pomeranian dog

Course of pregnancy

Spitz pregnancy lasts about two months. Provided that the dog is healthy and the birth proceeds normally, the puppy will be born on the 60-63rd day. Each of the eight weeks of a dog's pregnancy is very important. Therefore, an experienced owner carefully observes the behavior of his pet all this time. But in order to create a pet pregnancy calendar, it is important to know the day of conception.

Week 1-2

The fertilized egg moves through the oviduct. This process is quite long, especially when compared with the human body. Once in the uterus, the zygote begins to actively develop. There are no visible changes in the animal's appearance. The dog's behavior also remains normal.

Week 3

At this stage, the placenta is already forming in the uterus. Pregnancy can be diagnosed by ultrasound. The embryo will not be visible, but the membranes will be visible. The size of the embryo is about 4.5 mm. His heart begins to form. During this period, the dog experiences swelling of the mammary glands. There may be discoloration in this area. The dog sometimes gets nervous and bites the fur around the nipples.

Week 4

Changes are observed within the body. The uterus enlarges and can reach the ribs. This causes your pet's belly to sag noticeably. The embryo begins to “calcify” the skull and jaws. Its size increases to 1.5 cm. The dog is irritable and shows signs of toxicosis. Appetite is weak or absent altogether.

Week 5

The second phase of pregnancy begins. The fruits grow very intensively: the bones of the limbs and ribs are formed. The pet can already feel the puppies, she becomes less active. The dog sleeps a lot, stops jumping and running. Appetite is unstable.

Week 6

During this period, almost all organs of babies are formed. The development of the bones of the spine ends. The eyes are fully formed, but they are still closed. The dog is still very careful in its movements. An appetite appears, but the portions that the pet is able to eat are very small. This is due to the fact that the uterus with puppies takes up a lot of space, and the stomach, on the contrary, decreases. You should feed your Spitz high-calorie food, but in small doses.

Week 7

Babies begin to grow hair and continue to develop their skeletal system. They can be felt if you gently palpate the dog's abdomen. By the end of this week, the puppies are already starting to kick. Significant changes are observed in the behavior of the Spitz. The dog becomes more active and anxious. She is fussing and looking for a place for the upcoming birth.

Week 8

The babies' teeth are already forming, their fur covers their entire body. Your pet's weight increases significantly. When pressing on the mammary glands, milk is released. During this period, the dog is agitated, refuses to eat and may whine. About a day before giving birth, the Spitz's temperature drops. The onset of labor is characterized by the release of hormones that contract the uterus. The amniotic fluid leaves. Puppies appear at short intervals. They are already completely covered with fur, their eyes are closed.

Similar article: How to train and raise a Spitz yourself

“Resorption”, or abortion of puppies

At approximately this stage of embryonic development, that is, somewhere up to 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, some or even all of the embryos in the bitch may resolve. This does not happen often and does not have negative consequences for the dog. The danger arises only if an underdeveloped fetus remains in the uterus. If it is not detected in time (during a cesarean section, for example), the fetus can mummify and subsequently cause the development of a tumor in the dog.

During normal births, immature puppies that do not have their own placenta are delivered in pieces or as odorless jelly.

Starting from this moment (and maybe from the fourth week of pregnancy), the bitch begins to show symptoms characteristic of pregnancy: irritation, aggression, toxicosis or refusal of usual food appears. If the dog wants something special (I mean some kind of food), offer him a variety of foods, he will choose something.

If the bitch has had any inflammatory processes in the genital organs or injuries throughout her life, they could lead to the formation of adhesions that prevent the normal movement of the embryo to the uterine mucosa. In this case, implantation of embryos occurs outside the uterus - and a so-called ectopic pregnancy . This phenomenon can be extremely dangerous for the dog.

During the normal course of pregnancy, the embryos are located fairly evenly in the uterine horns, which begin to enlarge after implantation of the embryos. The placenta then forms

, that is, a specific organ through which communication will be carried out (transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and carbon dioxide and waste products to the mother) between the dog’s body and its fetuses.

Starting from the 50th day, you can already see the fetal skeleton on x-rays. But! This is very dangerous for small puppies; this procedure should be used only in emergency cases, for example, if fetal death or uterine rupture is suspected.

From the second month of pregnancy, the dog’s belly begins to noticeably grow, and its nipples swell. And 2-10 days before the onset of labor, when you press extremely gently on the nipple, drops of secretion

mammary gland, but this is not milk yet. But it is pointless to make such massaging movements before giving birth in order to obtain more milk - it will not bring any results.

When to expect a replenishment

If the result of mating is fertilization, there is no estrus and the pet’s body begins to actively prepare to bear the fetus. The dog's hormonal background changes significantly, its previously playful and active behavior is replaced by a calmer and more cautious one. The Pomeranian's pregnancy lasts about 63 days. But often the gestation process can last 58 days or, conversely, last up to 68 days. In both cases, there is no need to worry, because the baby’s health is not in danger. But if a Spitz goes into labor before day 57, it will most likely end in fetal death.

Length of pregnancy

Naturally, the number of births per year depends on how long the pregnant Spitz dog walks. It lasts approximately 58 to 64 days.

Newborn puppies

If a dog carries a litter for up to 67 days, this is considered normal for the breed. When Pomeranian puppies appear after mating less than 57 days later, they are premature. Most often, this situation ends in the death of children.

Signs of labor

When there is about a week left before giving birth, your pet’s belly begins to drop, and the vagina becomes larger and more elastic. Five days before giving birth, the dog’s uterus drops, causing the pet’s back to seem to sag. One day before birth, the animal’s body temperature drops to 37 °C. The Spitz's behavior also undergoes noticeable changes. The bitch becomes very nervous and fussy, often rushing around the house, looking for a place for the birth of newborns.

A couple of days before the expected date of birth, loss of appetite is likely. The main sign of impending labor is an increase in heart rate and breathing. If a dog follows its owner, you should pay more attention to it. Starting from the 57th day of pregnancy, it is necessary to measure the pet’s temperature twice a day. To do this, insert a thermometer lubricated with Vaseline into the dog's anus and wait five minutes.

Preparation

To ensure that the birth of your Spitz proceeds and ends without problems, thoroughly prepare for it, consult with a veterinarian, and watch videos. Thanks to video preparation, you can be in the right frame of mind and be prepared for what will happen and what it will look like.

Pregnancy lasts about two months. While the bitch is carrying puppies, preferably no later than a week before you plan to give birth, prepare all the necessary conditions:

Choose a room where no one will disturb you.
Remove all unnecessary interior items.
Immediately when the first signs of impending labor appear, clean and ventilate the room and disinfect the room.
Remove all strangers from the room. Besides you, only a veterinarian can be there.

Among other things, the room needs to be equipped. Install a spacious maternity box with two compartments - in one the bitch will give birth and rest there after the process, and in the second the newborn puppies will lie so as not to interfere with the ongoing birth.

Prepare the place

In about 10 days, or better yet two weeks, transfer the pregnant Spitz to the maternity room and teach it to boxing. This way you can prepare the bitch, and during childbirth she will lie quietly in the equipped place.

Mandatory set of equipment and first aid kit

In addition to boxing, you need to prepare the following things:

disposable diapers;
rags for wiping puppies;
thermometer;
sterile gauze wipes for wiping the puppy’s mouth;
office and scales to record the parameters of each cub;
sterile scissors for cutting the umbilical cord;
an antiseptic drug for sterilizing navels, for example, Xidikol;
silk threads for ligating the navel;
emulsion of 10% synthomycin to avoid the inflammatory process;
a clock to record the time between contractions and the birth of each baby.

In addition to the items listed, before giving birth you need to collect a first aid kit so that, if necessary, you can take resuscitation actions to save the litter:

oxygen balloon;
warmer;
a heart stimulant, for example, Cordiamine;
enema to remove mucus from the mouth of babies;
No-shpa ampoules;
5% glucose solution;
calcium gluconate.

24 hours before the planned birth, prepare the dog for the procedure:

Wash your stomach and genitals with soapy water;
trim hair around the nipples, vagina and anus.

Trim the hair around the nipples.
Immediately before the process, prepare yourself - trim your nails, disinfect your hands, prepare medical gloves.

Signs of impending labor: temperature and behavior

A week before giving birth, the expectant mother’s tummy begins to sag, the vagina becomes soft and increases in size. After a few more days, the uterus drops and the back sags. Immediately a day before labor, the Spitz’s body temperature drops to 37 degrees.

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The bitch's behavior changes and signs of nervousness appear. She begins to rush around, whine and look for a place. Toxicosis and apathy towards food may appear.

At this point, the delivery room should be completely ready to “receive patients.”

The main sign of approaching labor will be the way the bitch begins to breathe - heavy, rapid breathing appears. The dog will follow the owner's heels, give it maximum time and reassure the expectant mother.

Sometimes Spitz dogs show practically no signs of approaching labor. So that this day does not come as a surprise to you, starting from the 56th day of pregnancy, take your temperature twice a day. Do this when the dog is calm - early in the morning or late in the evening.

Attention ! Do not induce labor artificially. This can lead to uterine rupture and other injuries. Only a veterinarian can give a stimulant.

If you decide to walk your dog before giving birth, make sure that it does not start giving birth on the street. If this happens, do not miss the puppy's exit, pinch the umbilical cord with your fingers and tear it off, cover the baby and immediately go home.

If labor begins 70 days after mating, contact your veterinarian. The reason may be health or a frozen pregnancy.

A clear sign of impending labor is the appearance of chills, as well as whining of the bitch. Spitzes often arch their backs or lie on their sides before contractions.

Spitz contractions

A few hours before giving birth, the bitch may have a light brown discharge. This means that the process of rejection of the mucus plug has begun.

What to prepare

Giving birth to Spitz dogs at home requires careful preparation. But you should understand that no matter how well prepared the dog owner is, the veterinarian’s phone number should always be at hand. In the event of an emergency, only he will be able to provide the necessary assistance to the pet and safely deliver the baby. The next important step is preparing the “nest” - the place where the pet will whelp. There you need to place a mattress wrapped in oilcloth, 3-5 clean cotton sheets, several clean cotton diapers.

Similar article: Description and standard of the Dwarf Pomeranian breed

It is important to prepare sterile gauze pads that will be used to remove fluid from the newborn's nose and mouth. Cotton wool, alcohol or vodka, scales, watches, paper with a pen (to record the time of birth), syntomycin emulsion (10%) to relieve inflammation, silk thread soaked in alcohol (in case it is necessary to tie the umbilical cord) will also be useful. Hygiene is also considered important. You should take care of a basin with warm water, iodine or brilliant green.

Among the medications you need to have valerian, hydrogen peroxide, as well as ampoules of calcium gluconate, oxytocin, Diphenhydramine - this is necessary in case of premature birth to avoid postpartum eclampsia. In any case, you should consult your veterinarian about the contents of your “dog first aid kit.” If the Spitz has not shed, then the fur on the belly should be trimmed on the eve of giving birth.

The birth process

If the pet is very young, old, or not in the best shape, it is recommended that the birth take place in the presence of a veterinarian.

So, let's move on to childbirth. There are three stages:

preparatory;
contractions;
appearance of puppies.

During all three phases, the presence of the owner is mandatory!

At the first stage, the dog’s body prepares for the upcoming birth: the cervix opens and the tissues of the birth canal become soft. Next comes the mucus plug, which may not be noticed due to its small size. The preparatory stage is completed by the release of water.

Then the next stage of labor begins – contractions. At first, the time intervals between them are several minutes, then this interval is reduced. Contractions become long and strong.

The third phase is childbirth itself. The arrival of the first puppy is very painful for the dog, so he may start whining. The next babies come out much easier. After all the babies are born, the placenta, or afterbirth, comes out. The dog should eat it as it is very good for its immunity. Newborn puppies are born in the amniotic sac. If the bitch herself does not chew it, the owner must carefully tear the bubble in the area of the baby's face.

The puppy is wiped with sterile wipes to remove mucus and, using a syringe, is gently blown into the nostrils and mouth. If the baby is actively spinning in the owner’s arms, then everything is fine. If he is lethargic and practically does not move, you need to properly suck out the liquid from his mouth and nose and rub it vigorously with napkins, stimulating blood circulation.

German, Japanese and Pomeranian Spitz tolerate pregnancy and childbirth more difficult. This is due to their small size. Therefore, the likelihood of a caesarean section is high. Of course, it should be done by a professional veterinarian. Therefore, it is worth making sure in advance that he is aware of the possible need for surgery.

There are signs that signal the owner to urgently call a veterinarian:

More than two hours have passed since the last puppy was born, but the next kitten does not emerge. Before making this “diagnosis,” you need to make sure that not all puppies have come out yet.
Weak and unsystematic efforts that last more than three hours.
Strong, but ineffective attempts for more than twenty minutes.
Greenish discharge.
The appearance of scarlet blood from the birth canal. Normally, streaks of blood should appear.
If after 2-3 hours the placenta has not come out.

Similar article: Peculiarities of shedding and caring for Spitz hair

In case of weak attempts, you should never resort to injections of any drugs to stimulate labor. The decision about the need for this procedure should only be made by a veterinarian.

How does the process work and how long does it last?

Typically, childbirth is calm and does not require emergency intervention. After the birth of the first baby, the mother may begin to whine in pain, but subsequent ones are less painful.

Puppies are born in a membrane called the placenta. Usually the bitch chews it up on her own and frees the puppy, and then eats the placenta to restore her own health and strength. Sometimes you may need human help to free the kitten from its shell.

Spitz puppy in placenta

Don't let your bitch eat more than 2 shells to avoid stomach upset. Store the remaining placenta in the refrigerator and feed it later.

After the kitten has freed itself from the “afterbirth”, remove mucus from the mouth and nose using the prepared enema. If everything is fine, you will hear the baby squeak.

Cut the umbilical cord with sterile scissors or clamp it with silk thread at a distance of 3 cm from the tummy. Never tie the umbilical cord in a knot.

Typically, each kitten is born at intervals of 15-30 minutes. The norm is considered to be labor that lasts both 3 hours and 8 hours if it proceeds without complications.

After childbirth

The Spitz is very exhausted after giving birth. There is no need to feed him in the first 7 hours; plain water or weak tea will be enough. But if your pet asks for food, limit yourself to fermented milk products or other easily digestible foods. Do not forget about the dog’s natural needs - prepare a tray in advance. If a dog goes outside to poop, the owner must carry it there in his arms. This will protect the animal from even greater fatigue.

During childbirth, a dog spends a huge amount of energy. That is why during the postpartum period the likelihood of infectious diseases in your pet is high. Hygiene is the main condition for home care. Bedding should be changed and the dog washed daily. In the room where the Spitz and babies are kept, you need to do a wet cleaning every two to three days and ventilate the room well. During this time, the nursing mother and puppies are taken to another place.

Don't forget about the kids. They need to regularly file the claws on their paws, because they can injure both themselves and the delicate skin on their mother’s belly, and this is fraught with serious infectious diseases.

Walking is one of the main components of a Spitz's recovery. In the first week they should be very short, no more than 20 minutes. After some time, the duration of the dog's walks returns to its previous regime. Before going outside, the Spitz's chest and belly need to be covered with something. This could be a veterinary blanket or light pet clothing. After a walk, the dog's nipples and paws should be treated with a weak solution of manganese. In the next month, it is better to refrain from noisy celebrations, because strangers and fuss around can greatly frighten a nursing bitch.

The Spitz fully recovers after giving birth six months later. Therefore, then his body is ready for a new pregnancy.

Giving birth to a pet is a very responsible matter. Without feeling confident in yourself and your actions, it is better to rely on the help of a professional veterinarian.

What to do after childbirth ends

After the process is completed, the bitch is very exhausted and may not ask for food. Give your mother a drink using water sweetened with honey or weak tea. Do not use sugar so that fermentation does not begin in the Spitz's stomach. If the bitch asks to eat, give a small portion of fermented milk products.

Prepare a litter box so your dog can do his business. If she asks to go outside, carry her in your arms and limit her movement.

After giving birth, pay attention to hygiene. Wash the area near the vagina, stomach and area near the anus with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or furatsilin.

Watch your pet very carefully. If you notice the appearance of discharge that has an unpleasant odor, immediately contact your veterinarian - this may be a sign of the onset of an inflammatory process.

Childbirth is a natural, but complex and dangerous process, especially when it comes to bearing offspring from a decorative breed.

Spitz are charming babies who have won millions of hearts around the world. It is not surprising that the owners of girls prefer to breed their pet at least once in order to get several charming lumps from her as offspring. However, before deciding to take such a step, it is necessary to carefully study the information related to this process.

Pomeranian Spitz are a decorative breed and completely dependent on humans, which means this time they will need the help of their owner. You will have to help throughout the entire period of pregnancy and birth of offspring, both for the expectant mother herself and for the puppies that are born. If you do not have this experience, it would be wise to have your first birth performed in the presence of a veterinarian or professional breeder.