From heat to birth
Progesterone:
From 7 days after the start of the heat, you can have a progesterone test done with us. Some blood is taken and it is checked whether the right moment for covering has already arrived. You usually have the result within an hour.
During pregnancy:
After a successful mating, the female dog becomes pregnant with 1 to sometimes 15 puppies. Larger dogs often have larger litters than smaller dog breeds. A female dog is pregnant for an average of 64 days, but there is a large variation. The pregnancy normally lasts between 57-69 days. A dog often gives birth somewhat earlier with a large litter.
In the beginning, the pregnancy is not yet clearly visible externally. As the pregnancy progresses, the abdominal circumference increases. Of course, this also depends strongly on the number of puppies the dog is carrying. The mammary glands of the female dog become larger and milk production can already take place just before the birth. The birth itself is a strong stimulus for the mammary glands to start producing milk. A bitch normally has 10 nipples, sometimes fewer. However, this does not mean that female dog always produces enough milk to feed 10 puppies.
From egg to puppy:
Week 1 (0 to 7 days):
Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes that connect the uterus to the ovaries. The dog's uterus consists of two long, coiled tubes called uterine horns and a common section with a common exit to the vagina.
The fertilized eggs move to the cervix and migrate through the fallopian tubes to the uterine horns.
Week 2 (8 to 14 days):
The embryo now enters the uterus.
During this week, the embryos attach to the uterine wall. Natural chemicals ensure that the embryos are evenly distributed along the two uterine horns so that each fetus has an equal chance. During this period, the embryo cells divide into the cells needed to form a body. After two weeks, the fetus is tiny but has a head, a spine, limb stumps and a tail. It is nourished by the yolk sac and is very vulnerable at this stage.
Week 3 (15 to 21 days):
Around day 20, the dog may feel nauseous and not eat due to the hormones and tension in the uterus.
Week 4 (22 to 28 days):
Development of the eyes and vertebrae. The head takes shape.
The foetus now grows from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm. At the end of this week, the embryos are the size of walnuts. The development of the organs has begun. At the end of this week, the mammary glands of the bitch will start to develop. The bitch does not yet have a belly – that only starts in the second half of the pregnancy. From 28 days, you can have an ultrasound done at the practice to determine whether the bitch is indeed pregnant. Photos and videos can be taken during this. The vet can then give an indication of how many puppies can be seen or expected.
Week 5 (29 to 35 days):
The fetus now grows from 18 mm to 30 mm. The development of the organs is coming to an end. The fetuses are now starting to look more like a puppy and teeth, whiskers, toes and nails are developing. The gender is now also determined. The eyes that were previously open are now closing and the skin colour is starting to develop. The bitch's weight is now increasing and the puppies are starting to turn.
Week 6 (36 to 42 days):
At six weeks, the fetus looks like a miniature dog. The fetus now weighs about 6 grams and is 45 mm long.
Skin color, hair, nails, and eyelids are distinguishable. The skeleton is visible on x-rays and the skull can be felt. From this moment until birth, the only thing the fetus does is grow. It depends on the placenta for nutrition and its lungs are not yet ready to take in oxygen.
Week 7 (43 to 49 days):
During this week, the fetus's skeleton begins to become firmer and can be seen on x-rays from about 45 days. At the end of this week, you can feel the puppies moving for the first time. The hair on the bitch's belly begins to fall out so that the puppies can drink well when they are born.
Week 8 (50 to 56 days):
There is not much news to report this week. Growing, growing and growing is what the puppies do. Due to the growth of the puppies, there is an increasing lack of space in the belly of the bitch, which can cause the stomach to become compressed, which can cause the bitch to have less appetite. The movement of the puppies can now be felt well.
During rest periods of the mother, the pups can be felt moving. From day 57/58, the pups can be born without problems.
Week 9 (57 to 63 days):
This is the last week of pregnancy and is quite hard for the bitch. From day 57/58 they can be born without problems. Here is a picture of a 60 day old fetus.
New laws and regulations for having a litter of puppies
From 1 November 2021, new rules will apply to the registration and breeding of puppies. These rules apply to both owners who regularly breed puppies and to people who occasionally have a litter of puppies. The aim of these new regulations is to prevent and combat illegal dog trade and forgeries of dog passports.
In the new identification and registration system (I and R) dog, breeders, importers, veterinarians and chippers are registered. This makes it clear where the dog comes from and from whom the dog received the chip and passport. The existing registration requirement for commercial owners of pets remains in place.
What has changed is the following:
If you have a one-off or more frequent litter or if you get a dog from abroad, you must apply for a Unique Company Number (UBN). This application is available via the RVO website. The UBN is required if you want to have the puppies chipped (mandatory) and apply for an EU passport (mandatory). The vet registers the dog's details and the application for an EU pet passport becomes mandatory for all dogs.
More information about this topic and the application for a UBN can be found on the link below:
Vaccination and chipping:
At our practice you can have your litter of young puppies or kittens chipped and vaccinated. This is always by appointment and is scheduled by telephone.
For larger litters of puppies, we also offer the possibility to come to your home. Your animal will then be provided with a passport, vaccination and chip (unless this has been placed by the board of directors).
