For the past six days Summer has been very lethargic. She sleeps in a big cage at night (which I highly recommend) and when we open the door in the morning, she usually trots out, stretches and climbs on a sofa to go back to sleep, but is then excited to go for a morning walk. Now she is happy to stay in her cage and lumbers out, climbs on a sofa and falls into, what looks like, a deep sleep. Until the house front door is opened, she would be happy not to move!
A VISIT TO THE VETS
Yesterday, on Day 5, I took her to the vets. She was due for her booster vaccine, but I wanted to make sure it was still a good thing to do, bearing in mind we hope she is pregnant next week...
The vet weighed her and checked her over, giving her a clean bill of health. The vet's thoughts on vaccinating, is that there are many nasty things that the dog can catch without it, so safer to be vaccinated. I'd done a little web research and couldn't find any issues to of dogs being vaccinated and it effecting the puppies, so Summer had her annual booster jab.
I'd forewarned the surgery that I wanted to talk about the puppies, and I'd prepared some questions. They gave me a double appointment at the end of surgery which was nice. Having done so much research, maybe too much, I was coming up with contradictory information, like when will the puppies come? Do you base the days on "from conception" or "from ovulation"? Vets answer, 60 days from conception.
WORMING
When should I worm Summer and the puppies? Again, everyone seemed to have a different opinion. As we use 'Advocate for Dogs' (Advocate is a 'spot on' product, which is very effective in the treatment and prevention of fleas and other parasites on and in your dog. As well as killing fleas and their larvae it is effective against Roundworm, Whipworm, Hookworm, Lungworm, Heartworm, Ear mites, Lice, Sarcoptic and Demodectic mange. In summary, it is effective against ALL the common external and internal parasitic problems your dog can acquire, with the exception of ticks and tapeworms.) we don't have to worm Summer, we're advised by the vets, but in this instance, and as worms can be a serious problems to new born puppies, I was given one single Droncit tablet (less than £2) to give her in a few days time. It lasts for 6 months. For the puppies, a Milbemax worming tablet should be given at 6-7 weeks old.
WHEN TO MATE
When the blood becomes a clearer liquid (maybe slightly pink) and the bitch likes to be rubbed near her tale (!!), that is the time she should be ready to mate. This is also the time when she has ovulated. Ovulation = time to breed. This tends to happen around day 10-14 but it isn't unusual to be longer or shorter. You then have around 3 days to mate the bitch and stud.
At the moment, having never watched Summer this closely, I feel very pressurised to make sure I notice the right changes on the right days and don't miss this 'window'!
I discussed with the vet about tests (take the pressure off of me!) but this would involve drawing blood and sending it off to a laboratory. The vet said he'd happily do this if I wanted to, but thought it was more appropriate for bitches that were having problems conceiving. I didn't ask how expensive this would be, but decided I'd go with my gut instinct.
KNOWING SHE'S PREGNANT
It was suggested that Summer has an ultra scan at 24-25 days after conception to check she is pregnant. Once you know you have a pregnant bitch then you can start going mad and buying the huge list of implements and objects needed to get through the birth and to house and look after the puppies. I've already got a list of where to order everything and believe me, the list is extensive... Don't leave research to the last minute! The cost of the scan, by the way, will be around £85.00.
DIET FOR SUMMER
The vet suggested giving Summer a puppy diet for the 2 weeks prior to giving birth and 2-3 weeks after as this has a lot more nutrients in it. I asked about the first puppy food at 2-3 weeks old as I'd heard of some giving scrambled eggs. The vet said he would buy puppy kibble and soak it in warm water for about 30 minutes, and that the pups would love it. The amount of water could then be lessened as they got older, until they were on the nutritious kibble with no water. Sounds like a good idea to me!
EXERCISE
Summer and I attend Agility Classes run by KC registered Ann Cook in Reigate. We both enjoy it, and definitely good exercise for both me and Summer! I had read that we shouldn't continue classes but I thought that with the jumps laid on the floor and avoiding apparatus like the see-saw, we could continue. The vet agreed and said to just wait 4 weeks after conception and to take it easily.
LABOUR
A last tip was to watch Summer's temperature close to the 60 days after conception, as it drops significantly and almost certainly means that within the next 24 hours, puppies will be born!
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