Difference between revisions of "Care for a Pregnant Dog"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing to Breed a Dog=== | ===Preparing to Breed a Dog=== | ||
| − | #Ensure that your dog is a good breeding candidate. Many canine diseases can pass from a mother dog to her puppies. Have your veterinarian examine your dog before you breed her to minimize the risk of passing a genetic disease to the puppies. Heritable diseases can affect the bones, joints, heart, teeth, skin, blood cells, kidneys, liver, nervous system (brain and spinal cord), digestive tract, reproductive organs, and the immune system. Some common examples include hip dysplasia, allergies, cryptorchidism, and hernias. Certain breeds have an increased risk of heritable diseases.<ref>http://www.hsvma.org/assets/pdfs/guide-to-congenital-and-heritable-disorders.pdf</ref> | + | #Ensure that your dog is a good breeding candidate. Many canine diseases can pass from a mother dog to her puppies. Have your veterinarian examine your dog before you breed her to minimize the risk of passing a genetic disease to the puppies. Heritable diseases can affect the bones, joints, heart, teeth, skin, blood cells, kidneys, liver, nervous system (brain and spinal cord), digestive tract, reproductive organs, and the immune system. Some common examples include hip dysplasia, allergies, cryptorchidism, and hernias. Certain breeds have an increased risk of heritable diseases.<ref name="rf1">http://www.hsvma.org/assets/pdfs/guide-to-congenital-and-heritable-disorders.pdf</ref> |
#*Think about your dog’s (and the male dog’s) personality and behavior. Some scientific studies show that aggression can be genetic. You should breed friendly dogs that do not have aggressive tendencies. | #*Think about your dog’s (and the male dog’s) personality and behavior. Some scientific studies show that aggression can be genetic. You should breed friendly dogs that do not have aggressive tendencies. | ||
| − | #Feed your dog a high-quality dog food that has passed the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding tests. Foods that have passed the AAFCO feeding tests will read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______ .”<ref>http://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/feeding-pregnant-nursing-dogs.html</ref> Feeding your dog high-quality food prior to pregnancy can improve her and her puppies’ health. | + | #Feed your dog a high-quality dog food that has passed the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding tests. Foods that have passed the AAFCO feeding tests will read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______ .”<ref name="rf2">http://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/feeding-pregnant-nursing-dogs.html</ref> Feeding your dog high-quality food prior to pregnancy can improve her and her puppies’ health. |
#Know the facts before breeding. Although puppies are very cute, they also require a lot of time, attention, and clean-up. Puppies typically stay with their mother for 8 weeks after birth, longer if you have trouble finding them a home. Raising multiple puppies will take a lot of your time and energy, not to mention it can be expensive. | #Know the facts before breeding. Although puppies are very cute, they also require a lot of time, attention, and clean-up. Puppies typically stay with their mother for 8 weeks after birth, longer if you have trouble finding them a home. Raising multiple puppies will take a lot of your time and energy, not to mention it can be expensive. | ||
#*If your dog has trouble delivering her puppies, emergency veterinary treatment will be necessary. Cesarean sections (C-sections) can be very expensive, so be prepared to shell out some cash if there is an emergency. | #*If your dog has trouble delivering her puppies, emergency veterinary treatment will be necessary. Cesarean sections (C-sections) can be very expensive, so be prepared to shell out some cash if there is an emergency. | ||
| − | #Consider adopting a shelter dog instead of breeding. There is a dog overpopulation problem in the United States, meaning that there are more dogs than there are homes for them. According to the ASPCA, 1,200,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters each year.<ref>https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics</ref> | + | #Consider adopting a shelter dog instead of breeding. There is a dog overpopulation problem in the United States, meaning that there are more dogs than there are homes for them. According to the ASPCA, 1,200,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters each year.<ref name="rf3">https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics</ref> |
#*For each puppy that your dog delivers, there could be one less home available for a shelter dog. | #*For each puppy that your dog delivers, there could be one less home available for a shelter dog. | ||
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#*Your veterinarian will count the fetal skeletons to determine the number of expected puppies. This way, you will know if all the puppies have been delivered successfully when your dog gives birth. If you are expecting 6 puppies but only 4 are born, you will know to take your dog in for emergency medical care. | #*Your veterinarian will count the fetal skeletons to determine the number of expected puppies. This way, you will know if all the puppies have been delivered successfully when your dog gives birth. If you are expecting 6 puppies but only 4 are born, you will know to take your dog in for emergency medical care. | ||
#Talk to your veterinarian about ALL medications and treatments that you give your dog. Some medications can be dangerous to the unborn puppies and can cause birth defects and even death. For instance, veterinarians typically recommend that you keep your dog on their monthly heartworm preventatives, but talk to your veterinarian to be certain. | #Talk to your veterinarian about ALL medications and treatments that you give your dog. Some medications can be dangerous to the unborn puppies and can cause birth defects and even death. For instance, veterinarians typically recommend that you keep your dog on their monthly heartworm preventatives, but talk to your veterinarian to be certain. | ||
| − | #*Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s flea and tick treatments and her risk for these parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate product if treatment is indicated. Examples of products that your veterinarian may recommend for your pregnant dog include FrontlineⓇ Plus Topspot (but not FrontlineⓇ Spray), RevolutionⓇ, ProgramⓇ, and CapstarⓇ.<ref>http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=545&S=0&EVetID=0</ref> | + | #*Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s flea and tick treatments and her risk for these parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate product if treatment is indicated. Examples of products that your veterinarian may recommend for your pregnant dog include FrontlineⓇ Plus Topspot (but not FrontlineⓇ Spray), RevolutionⓇ, ProgramⓇ, and CapstarⓇ.<ref name="rf4">http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=545&S=0&EVetID=0</ref> |
#*Your veterinarian may recommend a dewormer during the last third of your dog’s pregnancy. Fenbendazole is typically considered safe for pregnant dogs and can treat worms that can be passed from a dog to her puppies. | #*Your veterinarian may recommend a dewormer during the last third of your dog’s pregnancy. Fenbendazole is typically considered safe for pregnant dogs and can treat worms that can be passed from a dog to her puppies. | ||
#*Do not give any over-the-counter medications, treatments, or supplements to your dog without asking your veterinarian whether they are safe during pregnancy. | #*Do not give any over-the-counter medications, treatments, or supplements to your dog without asking your veterinarian whether they are safe during pregnancy. | ||
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===Feeding a Pregnant Dog=== | ===Feeding a Pregnant Dog=== | ||
| − | #Check the label on the food you feed your dog. Ensure that the food has passed an AAFCO feeding test. The label should read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______.”<ref | + | #Check the label on the food you feed your dog. Ensure that the food has passed an AAFCO feeding test. The label should read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______.”<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Feed a normal amount of high-quality commercial dog food for the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Commercial dog foods are sold at pet food and grocery stores. These foods typically contain all necessary nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios. | #Feed a normal amount of high-quality commercial dog food for the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Commercial dog foods are sold at pet food and grocery stores. These foods typically contain all necessary nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios. | ||
#*Homemade foods often do not contain the proper balance of the necessary nutrients and should be avoided. | #*Homemade foods often do not contain the proper balance of the necessary nutrients and should be avoided. | ||
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#Increase the amount that you feed your dog by another 25% for the end of her pregnancy, during the 8th and 9th week. At this point your dog will be eating 50% more than she did before pregnancy. For example, if your dog ate 2 cups of food twice daily before she was pregnant, she will need 6 cups of food per day by the end of her pregnancy. | #Increase the amount that you feed your dog by another 25% for the end of her pregnancy, during the 8th and 9th week. At this point your dog will be eating 50% more than she did before pregnancy. For example, if your dog ate 2 cups of food twice daily before she was pregnant, she will need 6 cups of food per day by the end of her pregnancy. | ||
#*Because the puppies will be pushing on her stomach, she may not be able to eat this much food in one meal. Dividing her food into smaller, more frequent meals will ensure that she gets all of her nutritional requirements. Some dogs need to be “free fed” at this point, meaning that their food is left down throughout the day to allow them to eat as needed. | #*Because the puppies will be pushing on her stomach, she may not be able to eat this much food in one meal. Dividing her food into smaller, more frequent meals will ensure that she gets all of her nutritional requirements. Some dogs need to be “free fed” at this point, meaning that their food is left down throughout the day to allow them to eat as needed. | ||
| − | #Do not supplement your dog’s food with vitamins, minerals, or meats unless directed by your veterinarian. You may think that additional calcium is required, and some inaccurate websites even recommend it, but do not give your dog any additional calcium. Additional calcium can affect your dog’s internal ability to regulate calcium and can put your dog at risk for a life-threatening drop in calcium (called eclampsia).<ref>http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/eclampsia-in-dogs/6251</ref> | + | #Do not supplement your dog’s food with vitamins, minerals, or meats unless directed by your veterinarian. You may think that additional calcium is required, and some inaccurate websites even recommend it, but do not give your dog any additional calcium. Additional calcium can affect your dog’s internal ability to regulate calcium and can put your dog at risk for a life-threatening drop in calcium (called eclampsia).<ref name="rf5">http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/eclampsia-in-dogs/6251</ref> |
#*Adding meats to your dog’s food can cause them to eat fewer carbohydrates and decrease her energy intake. | #*Adding meats to your dog’s food can cause them to eat fewer carbohydrates and decrease her energy intake. | ||
