First trimester (Day 0 - 21)

As with all litters, nothing is confirmed until we have healthy puppies on the ground. The good news is that the first steps have been done and now the waiting begins. Many people have never experienced their potential puppy from conception to birth. Most people see their puppies for the first time at 4-5 weeks of age. I always find it fascinating watching how quickly puppies develop over the 63 days from ovulation. Every stage of the pregnancy is important. As a breeder it is my responsibility to ensure the health and safety of the mom during every phase of her pregnancy, giving the puppies the best start to their development.

The first trimester of a dogs pregnancy is all about waiting and hoping. There are very few outward signs of pregnancy in bitches and their bodies undergo the same hormonal changes, regardless of whether they were bred. It won’t be until the second trimester before I know if my girl is pregnant. Unit pregnancy is confirmed I care for her as if she is.

Possible Signs of Pregnancy There is usually very little evidence that a bitch is pregnant during this trimester. Some bitches may show subtle signs but these are best typically used in hindsight.

These signs may include:
❑ She goes out of season shortly after breeding and before the normal end of her cycle.
❑ Her vulva remains larger than normal after the end of her heat cycle.
❑ Her nipples become larger than normal.
❑ Behavioral changes might include being clingier or calmer than normal.
❑ Morning sickness—vomiting and/or lack of appetite--between 14 and 21 days.
❑ A clear, jelly-like discharge from her vulva around 21 days.
❑ Her coat on her abdomen flips along on her flank

General

During the first 21 days of pregnancy, the fertilized eggs grow from the original two cells into much larger, more complex embryos. These embryos are free-floating within the uterus during this trimester. It is not until about 21 days after conception that embryos attach to the uterine wall, known as implantation. Prior to implantation, bitches can easily resorb the embryos, thus losing the pregnancy without even knowing she had been pregnant. Resorption can occur if the embryos are abnormal, if the bitch is ill, or due to stress on the bitch that causes her body to determine that this is not a good time for a litter.

Feeding and Supplements

As many of you know from following me on facebook, I put a lot into raising my puppies. What people don’t see is what’s behind the scene or even given it much thought about the quality of food and supplements given to the mom before, during and after her pregnancy. A well balanced quality food and proper supplements are essential to the success and health of the mom and puppies. For example, I increase my girls food prior to and during breeding in order to increase the number of eggs she ovulated. Then I decrease the amount of food back to her normal daily amount in order to develop lean, healthy puppies.

❑ A multi-vitamin formulated for all-life stages and breeding animals.

❑ Folic acid - 5 mg from the first day my girl comes in season until she finishes weaning to help protect against centerline defects (cleft palates) in pups, improve lactation, build stronger immune systems and protect against toxins, such as BPA (Bisphenol A).

❑ Wild fish oil, such as salmon, sardine, pollock, or other wild, cold-water fish body oil that contain DHA.

❑ Probiotic, such as Fortiflora

❑ 1-2 Tbls of blueberry’s daily

Thank-you for joining me on this journey. With all my litters my goal is to produce healthy, sound, stable and beautiful puppies. My second goal is to select the families that will provide these puppies with a home, environment and lifestyle where they can thrive and the new families can enjoy their new puppy for years to come.

Sincerely,
Tygold Kennels Ltd.
Kelly Tynan