Chihuahua pregnancy

Timing and signs of pregnancy in a Chihuahua

Normally, a Chihuahua's first birth occurs at one and a half years of age. The best time for a dog to whelp is from 1.5 to 4 years. At a more mature age, childbirth can lead to the death of the mother or cubs. The optimal weight of a bitch ready to whelp is from 1.5 to 2 kg. Dogs of this breed carry puppies for varying lengths of time, but give birth no earlier than 57 days and no later than 72 days after conception.

note

! In theory, childbirth is possible from 6-9 months of life, after the first heat has passed. But allowing childbirth at such an early age is dangerous. A pregnant Chihuahua will not only not give birth, but will not survive. Due to the physiological characteristics of this breed, early birth poses a great threat to the dogs’ lives.

Main symptoms of pregnancy:

• sudden weight gain;
• swollen mammary glands;
• enlarged belly;
• discharge of milk from the nipples.

On the 30th day after conception, obvious signs of pregnancy appear. But in very tiny babies it is difficult to determine the symptoms. For many, the weight remains within the normal range, but the tummy begins to increase during the last two weeks before giving birth. In order not to miss your Chihuahua's pregnancy, it is better to take your dog to the veterinarian. Make an appointment no earlier than two weeks after mating. About the “interesting position” of the dog can be said:

• Body temperature;
• special test;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

The veterinarian performs a complete examination of the dog to make sure whether it is healthy or not.

Chihuahua pregnancy calendar by day

As stated above, the duration of pregnancy in a Chihuahua is 9 weeks, which is equivalent to 2 months. During this period of time, just a few cells in the mother's womb develop into perfectly formed puppies. Let's see what happens day after day in the womb of a pregnant Chihuahua until the puppies are born:

1-7 days (1st week)

Sperm rush down the fallopian tube towards the egg. Fertilization of the egg occurs, the formation of a zygote, and the first division. The vagina discharges or not, a clear or light pink mucous consistency is normal!

7-14 days (2nd week)

The cells begin to grow and divide, and tiny new embryos descend into the uterus. There they remain for the entire subsequent period of pregnancy. At the beginning of the 2nd week, the embryo consists of 4 cells, and at the end of 64 cells.

14-21 days (3rd week)

The embryos are implanted into the lining of the uterine wall, where they receive the vital nutrients and life support provided by the bitch's body. The size of the fetus at this stage does not exceed 1 centimeter. The nipples begin to enlarge, and there may be a decrease in appetite.

21-28 days (4th week)

A veterinarian or an experienced breeder can already feel the embryos in the womb with their fingers. The eyes and spine begin to develop, the muzzles take on their usual shape. The size of the fetus is approximately 1.5 cm. Within 4 weeks, the nipples swell, and mucous discharge from the vagina may be observed. A pregnant dog may vomit due to toxicosis. The fur on the belly and around the nipples is thinning. At 4 weeks, puppies are vulnerable to injury and developmental defects. Limit your dog from active play and strenuous exercise. Consult your veterinarian about diet and additional vitamin supplements.

Day 28-35 (5th week)

Around day 32, the level of amniotic fluid in the uterus increases to normal levels to protect the puppies from external threats. From now on, it is difficult to palpate the puppies by palpation of the abdomen. From the 5th week, puppies are less susceptible to defects and developmental disorders. Individual toes begin to form, claws and whiskers grow, and male and female genital organs develop. The bitch's weight at this stage of time begins to increase noticeably. This week you can do an ultrasound to determine the number and sex of the offspring.

35-42 days (6th week)

Pregnancy in a Chihuahua is obvious to most people due to the impressive size of its belly. The belly will continue to grow steadily, and the nipples will become noticeably darker. The color and pigmentation of the coat is formed. At this stage, build a nesting house from plywood or a cardboard box, insulate it, and train the animal to sleep there during pregnancy.

42-49 days (7th week)

The pet may become irritable. Physical activity and walks should be moderate. There is loss (molting) of hair on the abdomen. At the end of the 7th week, the owner reduces the amount of calcium-containing foods in the dog’s diet and stops adding calcium-containing supplements to food.

49-57 days (8th week)

Ideally, puppies should spend another week in the womb, but with multiple pregnancies, or with too large puppies, a pregnant Chihuahua can whelp at 8 weeks. You can use your palm to feel how the puppies move in the mother’s belly. From this week, check your body temperature daily. When it drops to 36.6-37 degrees Celsius, get ready to give birth. At the end of the 8th week, the bitch begins to produce colostrum, a protein-rich, nutritious precursor to milk.

What does temperature mean?

Body temperature is used to judge the number of days remaining before birth. Based on the obtained indicators, they can determine how long pregnant Chihuahuas walk and when the puppies will be born. During pregnancy, dogs experience 38 or 39o. This is the normal temperature for bearing offspring. But a week before giving birth, the temperature begins to change. A day before the birth of the puppies, it drops to 36o, and after birth it returns to normal.

Why do the test?

A pregnancy test is done through a blood draw. Laboratory testing determines the presence of relaxin. The placenta is responsible for the production of this hormone. She begins to produce it 15 days after the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. By the fourth week of pregnancy, relaxin increases sharply and remains at this level until the dog gives birth. If relaxin is elevated, it means the Chihuahua is in an “interesting position.” The accuracy of the result is 99%.

note

! The test for the presence of relaxin is the only reliable diagnostic test that confirms the success of the mating and excludes false pregnancy.

Why do an ultrasound?

Thanks to an ultrasound performed after 40 days from the moment of conception, you will learn about the number of future puppies. Most often, dogs of this breed have a singleton pregnancy. During a multiple pregnancy, a Chihuahua can bear from 2 to 4 puppies weighing no more than 100 g. An ultrasound can tell you the number of puppies in the litter, their mobility and heartbeat.

Chihuahua: size and weight

Chihuahuas differ from each other in breed, and accordingly this leaves its mark on the size, as well as the weight and height of the dog. Accordingly, a Chihuahua, whose size and weight is average, ranges from 1.5 to 3 kg. And the height is from 15 to 30 cm. There are differences between dwarf, medium or large Chihuahuas. Below is a table showing the growth of puppies up to one and a half years old.

Data table

How to help a pregnant Chihuahua?

When your Chihuahua is pregnant, follow a diary in which the owner’s actions are written down day by day.

Chihuahua Pregnancy Diary:

Important

! Before giving your dog any vitamins, be sure to consult your veterinarian. With its help, you can create a detailed menu for the week.

Behavior

Special attention should be focused on such an aspect as the changing character of your pet in the entire process. Whelping can be defined in three stages.

• maternal behavior can be defined as normal. Ordinary needs for walking and playing, attention to the owner and other family members, no drastic changes in mood. However, already at this stage there is an increase in nutritional needs, she already likes to eat more densely than usual, although now her appetite is still defined as “moderate”.
• At the same time, eggs fertilized by sperm enter the uterus and implant into its walls for about twenty-one days . After some time, it is from them that embryos will be formed, which will later develop into fetuses, and then into adult puppies.
• Changes in behavior begin. The bitch becomes more passive in communication with the owner and the environment, less active in physical games, resting or sleeping more and more. The dog’s appetite also increases very significantly, its needs become truly irrepressible, therefore, during this time period, experts usually recommend not only increasing the pets’ diet, but also pampering them with dishes that they love in order to maintain their mood at normal levels. They are also very emotionally stressed, so veterinarians do not advise disturbing them over trifles, frightening them or influencing them physically at those stages, because any manifestations of stress can extremely negatively affect her in this situation, and she may simply “reset” . Thus, you should keep an eye on your dog and carefully protect it from various problems.
• During this period, she also begins to fear her surroundings and act with caution and forethought.
• The peak of physical development occurs - the stomach and chest quickly increase in volume, which also does not have the best effect on her character. At the most difficult stages, it is very important for owners and breeders to help the bitch with mineral supplements.

What to feed a pregnant Chihuahua?

When the pregnancy reaches four weeks, increase the daily amount by 2% weekly. If the dog is accustomed to eating dry food, then after the first month the diet should contain food specially designed for pregnant women. When feeding naturally, more kefir, cottage cheese, vegetables and fruits are added to the diet.

Two weeks before giving birth, foods containing a lot of calcium and protein are excluded from the diet. But a week before giving birth, the dog is treated to rice or buckwheat porridge cooked in water. You can add a little to it:

• butter;
• crushed walnuts;
• grated raisins or dried apricots;
• apple pieces.

During this period of time, vegetables will be useful:

• zucchini;
• pumpkin;
• boiled cauliflower.

Vitamin and mineral supplements should be discussed with your veterinarian. It is better to discuss the menu of the last week before giving birth with your doctor.

How to feed a potbellied Chihuahua?

If you feed commercial food, then continue to feed it for the first 3 weeks. Starting from the second week of pregnancy, increase the daily dose of food by 2-3% every week. From 3-4 weeks, switch to specialized commercial food for pregnant and lactating dogs from your usual manufacturer. Commercial food, as a rule, meets the needs of a dog in an “interesting” situation.

Additional vitamin and mineral supplements are not required unless indicated by a veterinarian. Pamper your pet more with fresh fruits and vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, bananas, cabbage, green apples, and so on.

When feeding your Chihuahua natural food, include more fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, cheese), vegetables and fruits in the diet. A pregnant Chihuahua requires more protein, calcium and vitamins for the development of the puppies' body. Clean drinking water should always be available to the animal.

Cabbage and carrots are very healthy, so these vegetables should be the main ingredient in vegetable stew. Buckwheat is rich in protein, calcium, iron, vitamins and minerals. Give as porridge mixed with fruits or vegetables. Give lean meats in small quantities no more than 2 times a week. Systematically increase the amount of daily food every week by 4-5% to avoid overeating and excessive accumulation of fat on the dog’s sides.

Remember that a catastrophic lack of calcium in the blood of a pregnant Chihuahua in most cases will lead to a fatal disease - eclampsia. However, an excess of calcium in the dog’s blood in the last weeks of pregnancy will also lead to unpleasant consequences. 2 weeks before giving birth, minimize foods high in calcium and protein in your dog's diet.

In general, I recommend trusting a veterinarian who can competently create a diet for the entire period of pregnancy of your Chihuahua bitch and prescribe mineral and vitamin nutritional supplements if necessary. Will determine the optimal daily dosage of food in a particular case. Self-indulgence can be harmful.

What is a false pregnancy?

With a false pregnancy, a Chihuahua experiences all the symptoms that are characteristic of bearing offspring. The dog begins to act as if there are puppies in her womb. She is inactive, has poor appetite, enlarged nipples, a growing belly, and sometimes leaks colostrum or gastric distress.

False pregnancy can be caused by:

• mated to a sterile male;
• disruptions in hormonal levels or in the reproductive system;
• mental disorder;
• poor-quality sterilization, in which the ovary or part of it was preserved.

Only a doctor can determine whether a false or true pregnancy is present.

How can you tell when labor is starting?

Here's what you need to know about your Chihuahua's approaching due date:

1. The dog becomes restless and changes in behavior. She begins to “dig” under the bedding or diaper in the birthing area, seeks privacy, or, on the contrary, attracts the attention of people.
2. She has a rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, and whitish discharge from the loop.
3. The tummy begins to gradually drop, and colostrum appears on the nipples.
4. The day before giving birth, your body temperature drops.

Based on these signs, you can guess that the puppies are about to be born.

Important

! The main sign of childbirth is considered to be a decrease in temperature.

How is childbirth?

Chihuahua labor can last up to 5 hours. Each subsequent puppy appears approximately an hour after the previous one. The intervals between the birth of puppies are almost the same. The birth is considered complete when more than 2 hours have passed since the last puppy.

A small dog needs the help of an owner who will be there at a crucial moment and monitor its condition. When contractions begin, be prepared to deliver the baby. Their onset is indicated by the sides, which begin to “walk” from side to side. Sidewalking refers to the movement of the puppy through the birth canal.

Before giving birth, the dog lies on its side and rests its paws against the wall of the maternity house. After the bladder ruptures, amniotic fluid comes out and labor begins. Contractions of the uterus increase in strength and occur more and more frequently each time.

When you deliver puppies, you may see them in the membranes. It does not always rupture while moving through the birth canal, so the Chihuahua chews it on its own.

To make the baby squeak, the mother stimulates his breathing and blood circulation by licking the puppy. The Chihuahua must chew the umbilical cord, lick the puppy, and eat the afterbirth that comes out after the puppy arrives.

Important

! Don't stop your dog from eating the afterbirth. She does this instinctively. If she does not chew the umbilical cord or membrane, then you need to help her do this. For cutting you will need disinfected scissors.

How to care for a dog during the postpartum period?

After you finish delivering the baby, give the dog a break and gain strength, while you take care of the puppies. Weigh each of them and record the data obtained. Prepare a warm and clean bedding for the puppies to feed on. Place the dog on the bed. Place the puppies close to the mother's breast so that they can all suckle.

The room in which the puppies and their mother are located should be warm. Change the bedding to a new one every day. After a month, you can remove the house that was intended for puppies. Over three days, the puppies will lose a little weight, but this is within normal limits. The main thing is to control their feeding and make sure that all the babies are full.

After giving birth, pour warm tea with milk for the new mother. It needs to be washed and dried. After two hours, you can take her out for a 5-minute walk if the weather is dry outside. A walk is needed so that the dog can go to the toilet. Monitor breast emptying and nipple condition. The mammary glands should not be hard. If the dog is not able to feed the puppies, then buy special milk.

In the first week after giving birth, the Chihuahua should eat the same as before the birth of the babies. Warm tea diluted with milk and honey is added to food. After a week, they gradually give them lean meat and boiled fish.

note

! After giving birth, the bitch starts bleeding. The duration of this process should not be more than a week. If the discharge does not stop, changes color or smell, then you need to contact a veterinarian.