Yorkie pregnancy

After successful mating, pregnancy begins - a crucial moment in the life of the dog and the owner. Yorkshire Terriers are fragile animals that need care and attention, especially during this period. The owner must notice the signs of pregnancy in the pet as early as possible and provide her with competent care. Then you can be sure that the birth will take place without complications, and the puppies will be born healthy. This is what will be discussed in detail in this article.

How can you tell if your dog is pregnant?

Many Yorkie owners talk about changes in their pet’s behavior: the dog is apathetic, sleeps a lot, and refuses to eat. The dog walks in this state for 7-8 days, after which activity and appetite return. The first signs of pregnancy appear at the beginning of the 3rd week of pregnancy. This period is associated with:

1. The appearance of toxicosis, nausea and vomiting.
2. Possible loss of appetite.
3. The discharge of viscous, transparent, odorless mucus from the loop.

At the 3rd week of pregnancy, embryos begin to be felt - small lumps on both sides of the pet’s abdomen.

Puppies should only be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced breeder, otherwise you may inadvertently harm the unborn babies.

Calendar of deadlines (table) by day

On average, pregnancy in dogs lasts from 56 to 72 days. In Yorkies, the duration of gestation for puppies is usually from 60 to 62 days. Below is a table of fetal development by day and week.

Puppyhood and its features

Three weeks after a successful mating, the bitch becomes unhappy, her mobility decreases, and sometimes she refuses to eat.

After a few days, the state of apathy disappears. These days, careful monitoring of the girl’s condition is necessary; if any ailments are detected, an urgent consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.

What to give a Yorkshire Terrier during pregnancy ? Pregnancy requires improved nutrition; it must be balanced and contain a sufficient amount of vitamins in the dog’s diet.

During this period, the Yorkshire Terrier needs to be fed 5 times a day.

Pregnancy requires a constant and sufficient amount of water to drink in the open.

It is necessary to reduce the amount of cereals in the Yorkshire Terrier's diet; it is necessary to give food with a high protein content. It is forbidden to give your pet very hot or very cold food.

Flow

At the end of the first month, the dog’s body becomes more rounded, thickening is noticeable on the sides. If the pregnancy is multiple, the belly will begin to enlarge at the beginning of the 3rd week. With the onset of the 5th week, the nipples swell and the skin around them becomes lighter. Active growth of the abdomen occurs at the end of 2 months, when puppies begin to actively gain weight.

During the first pregnancy, signs appear later because Yorkies giving birth for the first time have stronger abdominal muscles.

Similar signs

By the dog's behavior before giving birth, you can determine when it will start giving birth.

1. 4 - 5 days before giving birth, the dog experiences a slight sagging of the back caused by prolapse of the uterus.
2. Also, the imminent birth can be judged by rapid breathing and a decrease in body temperature.
3. Some individuals begin to get nervous 7-10 days before giving birth and refuse to eat, others, on the contrary, eat more, behave as actively as possible, and like to take long walks.
4. Before giving birth, the bitch behaves restlessly, looking for a quiet and secluded place where she will be comfortable giving birth and feeding puppies.

The dog should not be allowed to hide - the birth should take place in full view of the owners so that they have the opportunity to help the puppy or bitch.

Leakage

During normal labor, this process is divided into 3 stages:

1. Dilatation of the cervix.
2. Birth of puppies.
3. The appearance of afterbirth.

The labor process begins with the breaking of water, then pushing and dilatation of the cervix begin. The dog is nervous, often licks itself, and clings to its owner. The puppy is born in an amniotic sac, which must be torn if the bitch does not do it herself. It is also necessary to cut the umbilical cord. The puppy comes out with its hind legs or pelvis forward.

The puppy may appear from the loop and hide back several times, this is normal.

The interval between the appearance of puppies is on average 20 - 40 minutes, from the start of contractions until the appearance of the last puppy 3 - 24 hours pass. 15 minutes after the birth of each puppy, an afterbirth should come out, which the bitch can eat - biologically active substances contained in the placenta stimulate lactation.

The dog should not be allowed to eat more than 2 afterbirths, otherwise it may develop diarrhea.

The number of puppies depends on the dog's size, genetics and quality of life, but Yorkies are unlikely to have a very large litter. On average, a dog bears from 1 to 6 puppies, most often 2 to 3. The eyes of puppies open on the 10th to 16th day after birth.

How to give birth?

The Yorkshire Terrier is a gentle breed, so pregnancy often ends in hospital delivery. Puppies can be very large and caesarean section is often necessary.

If childbirth proceeds normally, it is divided into the following stages:

• opening of the cervix;
• birth of puppies;
• sequence output

First, the dog’s water breaks, shortness of breath and straining appear. Puppies are born in the amniotic sac. Basically, the female tears it apart herself to help her offspring. She also chews the umbilical cord. It is not always convenient for her to do this, so she may need help from her owner. Babies appear every half hour, the process takes 3-24 hours.

Yorkshire terriers do not always cope on their own; it is important for the owner to be nearby during childbirth. If labor does not occur within 4 hours after the water breaks, veterinary assistance will be required. Medical intervention is also necessary if the interval between the release of puppies is approximately 2 hours.

To rupture the amniotic sac you need clean scissors. First, the baby's face is released to allow air access. The umbilical cord is then cut approximately 2 cm from the abdomen. It is important to ensure that the placenta comes out. The dog will start eating them, which should not be prevented. But if there are too many of them, then you need to remove them while the pet does not see. If problems arise during childbirth, you should contact your veterinarian.

Once the baby has left the amniotic sac, the airways should be cleared. After birth and squeaking, he is placed under the female. The first portions of colostrum are necessary, as sucking helps the dog's further labor.

Video: Yorkie pregnancy: description in detail by day

After

During the week after birth, you need to give your pet 1 tsp 2-3 times a day. milk with calcium. You should not feed your Yorkie meat; it can cause eclampsia, a severe form of toxicosis.

It is better to feed a lactating bitch with high-calorie ready-made industrial food.

You can bathe your dog only 7 days after birth; before that, only wiping with a damp towel is allowed.

Nutrition

Choosing the right diet during such a difficult period for the body is very important for the health of the future offspring and the bitch herself.

And in the first weeks there is no need to change the diet, the embryos are still too small and require little. However, from day 20 it is worth starting to review the system.

Basic rules for feeding a pregnant Yorkie:

• Add more protein-containing foods rich in calcium to your diet: fish, cottage cheese, eggs, dairy products.
• Increase daily food intake from 4 weeks after mating . Food should be high in calories, but not heavy. It is not recommended to increase the amount of meat.
• If the belly enlarges, reduce the portions and start feeding the animal 4-5 times a day . The uterus begins to put more and more pressure on the stomach, so the dog cannot eat as much as before pregnancy at one time.
• With a properly formulated natural diet, use vitamin supplements . They are especially necessary in winter and spring.
• If the bitch prefers dry food, then switch to a special line for pregnant women . It is very important to choose a super-premium product, since only they take into account all the necessary standards of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals that are needed to build new organisms and maintain the health of the mother.
• Access to clean water must be constant , do not forget to change it several times during the day.
• After 50 days, reduce the content of meat in your diet , and one or two days before the expected date of birth, it is better to eliminate it altogether.
• Consider the whims of your pet . If she refuses to eat a certain product, do not insist, just replace it with a similar one.

Nutrition and careful care during pregnancy are the key to the health of mother and babies; all your attention must be given to this.

Possible complications

The birth of a Yorkshire Terrier most often occurs without complications. Problems arise if the bitch has a narrow pelvis and is unable to give birth on her own. In this case, a caesarean section is required. A sign of the need for surgery is a dirty gray discharge that appears shortly before birth. It is also important to ensure that during birth all the placenta comes out - their number should be equal to the number of puppies. Placences that do not come out during childbirth may come out within 24 hours afterward; if this does not happen, the dog must be shown to a veterinarian.

If there are complications

Complications may occur during childbirth:

• cessation of labor;
• heavy bleeding;
• stuck puppy;
• absence of contractions for a long time after the water breaks;
• damage to the uterus;
• eclampsia, etc.

Of course, some problems can be solved on your own. If such a birth is the owner’s first, your actions can only cause harm. Need help from a specialist.

False

There are cases when signs of behavior of a pregnant bitch appear in an individual who did not participate in mating. This condition is called false pregnancy in dogs. Symptoms of false pregnancy:

1. The dog's desire to create a home for puppies.
2. Showing motherly care for her toys.
3. Colostrum secretion and lightening of the skin around the nipples.
4. An enlarged belly and a swollen loop.
5. Imitation of labor.

With mild symptoms, this condition goes away after 2 - 3 weeks; the following will help alleviate it:

• Avoid contact of the dog with pregnant and lactating individuals.
• Reducing lactation by eliminating dairy products from the menu.
• Food restriction.
• Increased physical activity.

You should not resort to expressing milk, this will only increase lactation.

If symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks, as well as if vomiting, diarrhea, increased aggression, etc. occur, you should consult a doctor. The main danger in such a situation is the accumulation of milk, leading to mastitis.

Frequently repeated false pregnancies lead to the development of cancer.

Signs of imminent labor

During pregnancy, it is worth keeping a notebook in which you record the course, symptoms, temperature readings and visits to the veterinarian. It is possible that during the birth process something will not go according to plan and you will have to consult a doctor. There are often situations where there are overlaps, when your doctor is busy or absent, another specialist who is not familiar with the bitch will find such information very useful.

The main signs of close births:

• The pet’s behavior changes: it becomes fussy or, conversely, lethargic. The bitch will try to hide in a secluded place. Often the space under the sofa or other inconvenient places is chosen. You shouldn’t let her do this, as you might miss the beginning of the process. The bitch should have her own equipped place, located in a secluded corner, so she will not have to hide;
• drop in body temperature. Together with the veterinarian, the expected date of birth is calculated. 2-3 days before, temperature measurements begin to be taken once a day. When the readings drop to 36-37 degrees, the process will begin very soon. The maximum waiting period is one day;
• frequent urination. The stomach drops, pressure on the bladder increases, and the urge becomes more frequent;
• the dog often develops diarrhea;
• breathing quickens, trembling appears. These signs indicate the beginning of contractions, which means the birth process has begun and the puppies will soon be born.

Give birth at home

It is necessary to prepare in advance the tools and medications that may be required:

1. Alcohol.
2. Hydrogen peroxide.
3. Zelenka.
4. Cotton wool.
5. Syringes.
6. Thermometer.
7. Glucose 5%.
8. Veterinarian emergency number.
9. Sterile medical wipes.
10. Sharp scissors.

You will also need 2 boxes or beds - in one of them there will be a dog’s nest in which she will give birth, in the other the puppies should be placed until the end of the birth. Babies need to stay warm, so a heating pad will be required. With the onset of the first contractions, it is necessary to place the bitch on an elevated, soft place covered with diapers.

You should not rush your pet or interfere with the birth process.

The fruit is in 2 bubbles that protect it. These bubbles burst in the pelvic cavity and moisten the birth canal. Puppies are born in a thin shell that can be easily removed with a napkin. The puppies' mouth and nose are covered with mucus, which must be removed by moving their muzzle downward several times so that they can breathe freely.

After this, you need to cut the umbilical cord, milk the blood, and apply a thread. It is necessary to monitor the time interval with which puppies are born: if contractions last a long time and the puppy is not born, you should immediately call a doctor.

Rules for caring for newborn puppies

The mother takes care of the babies; human care is unnecessary. The person is required to weigh the newborns, repeat weighings every 2 weeks to confirm full development, keep the room clean, change the bedding, and make sure there is no draft in the room.

Yorkies get pregnant and give birth like other breeds. But a miniature dog needs careful care. A good breeder approaches the maintenance, choice of food, walking, and disinfection with maximum responsibility, because the life and health of the expected offspring depend on this.

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