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accidental mating 28/9/08

ozzy

I think my 7year old patterdale terrier may have mated with a 7 month old lahso apso on 28th september. Can you please advise me what to expect.

Symptoms: Pregnancy Related

•   Cat Goorsky says:

  October 30th, 2008 at 06:00 PM

  The first thing I would do is get your calendar out and start recording everything, especially changes in your pup. It's possible that she didn't get pregnant, but if she did, you'll see it. Her nipples will swell, her abdomen will swell, she'll start nesting (making a comfy cozy bed for her and her babies), etc.

  Take note of her "girl parts" - you should not see any vaginal discharge from your pet until right before she gives birth. If you do see any discharge, take her to a vet and have her looked at.

  She's at about her 4th week, so she may not want to eat as much as usual; don't panic. Next week, you will start to notice her abdomen swelling, and her nipples may get a little darker in color. Ask your veterinarian about increasing her food intake.

  In the next couple of weeks, check with your vet to see how much more she should be eating per day. Also, in about two weeks, I'd take her to get an xray taken to see how many puppies she is expecting. This is extremely helpful when the birthing starts, because you'll know when she's "finished."

  While you're waiting, you can help mom prepare for her delivery. Get a whelping box - a whelping box is basically mom's delivery room. The box needs to have sturdy clean walls, tall enough so that the puppies won't be able to jump over the walls, but short enough so that mom isn't trapped. Invest in lots of towels, soft fluffy warm blankets, etc to line her whelping box. Don't get anything with loose strands, beads, tassels, etc as you don't want the babies to suckle on these things and end up swallowing them. Hot water bottles are good, too, because this area needs to stay warm - but not too hot ! Don't want to burn the babies. Also, save LOTS of newspapers and washcloths.

  The gestation period is about 9 weeks, so starting at day 58, you should be fully prepared for birth any day! When mom starts to go into labor, she'll get very fussy and uncomfortable. She may or may not eat (do not force feed her). She may not want you to mess with her at all, and she will be paying a large amount of attention to her vaginal area - licking, cleaning, etc. Do not be alarmed if her BMs get a little softer (although NOT diarrhea - this is not normal).

  When you start to notice contractions (they are visible), move her to her whelping box. She may pant, tear up her bed, rearrange things, act uncomfortable, whine, etc. She will have vaginal discharge - sometimes clear, sometimes green (yes, green). Labor, just like in people, can sometimes last for hours.

  When the first pup is born, mom SHOULD break the sac and chew off the umbilical cord (typically, you don't have to cut the cords). She also will clean the pup off by licking it profusely. The licking motion usually stimulates the pup enough so it starts to breath. IF mom doesn't immediately attend to the puppy, break the sac (WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST) and dry the pup off with a warm washcloth. If you notice it's not breathing, rub the pup with the washcloth so it will "wake up" and start breathing.

  Once first pup is born, the next pup should pop out within 30 minutes or so. If mom has been actively pushing with no pup for more than 30 minutes, take her to a vet immediately. They can give her an injection of a hormone called Oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions. This will help her push out the next pup.She CAN get this injection more than once, so if she is having a lot of trouble with the delivery, you might just want to hang out at the vet's office until she's done.

  The pups should start nursing on their own. Just FYI, the puppies ears and eyes will be closed - this is normal. Keep an eye out for any pups that don't look right, don't want to nurse, and are having trouble breathing. Also, unfortunately, sometimes all the pups don't make it; keep that in mind.

  Always monitor mom and babies; don't leave them unattended. Keep mom comfortable and relatively clean. Most importantly, make sure she is getting enough nutrients. If a mom is nursing her pups and not getting proper nutrients, the calcium in her body can be sucked out completely and she will experience a dangerous condition called Eclampsyia. Eclampsyia needs to be treated as a medical emergency with IMMEDIATE attention.

  Mom should take pretty good care of her little ones, but always be there to help if necessary. She will clean them and lick them (typically to stimulate bowel/bladder so the babies will empty their systems; they're too young to do this themselves). Keep their living area warm, soft, and cozy, and have your vet's phone number on hand at all times, just in case.

  If you have any doubts or questions, call the vet! I'd also read up as much literature as possible between now and the birthday so you're fully prepared!!! After the puppies are born, you'll have to learn about weaning to dry foods, initial vaccinations and dewormings, socialization, and finding them proper homes ... so start your research ! :]

  Good luck with the mom-to-be!

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• User says:

  November 02nd, 2008 at 05:43 AM

  thank you for the information, it doesnt look as though there are any changes to her nipples or any other changes, my vet says I can have her neutred in about 8 weeks time, thanks for everything Denise 

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