I'm going to start by saying that YES, this was a "planned" encounter! We don't let our dogs roam the neighborhood, they are ALWAYS in our yard and we know exactly who and what they come into contact with!
We are pretty sure that our English mastiff is pregnant. Her "encounter" was the first week of April, it ended on April 3rd. According to my calculations, she would be due the first week of June, about June 6th.
We've alreay noticed a change in her appetite, sleeping schedule, weight and her milk producers. (don't want to offend anyone here)
We had a mastiff with a false pregnancy years ago, we had our hopes up and when we took her to the vet, we were let down. So, we have no real hands on experience with a pregnant dog.
I've done all the reading I can, so much of it is different that the previous, so it's hard to know what's really true and what isn't! I'd love to hear from someone who has personally had experience with a pregnant dog.
Any personal advice and tips you can share with me that helped you?
**I'm not looking for snotty remarks about my dog possibly being pregnant - that's none of your business! Sorry to those of you who are genuine, but I know there are going to be people flaming me because there are already too many dogs in the world and I don't want to hear it!
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Comments: 44
1) They usually have puppies (the occasional litter of kittens, and once in a great while a calf, but usually puppies), and
2) It's a better idea to take her to a Vet than to ask for advice on Gather.
It doesn't take a genious to figure #1 out - just a smart @$$. Also, I have talked to our vet, but I'm looking for PERSONAL experience from my friends, I'm sure someone on Gather has had experience!
Here is a calculator of figuring the exact date the puppies will be born. http://www.perfect-pups.com/whelping_calculator.htm
I want you to also know they can have false pregnancies as well. That is where they show all the signs of being pregnant but when the time comes no puppies are born.
I use to breed and show Sharpeis and Pugs. Unfortunately we have a Rat Terrier that got pregnant before we got our ShitZu fixed so now she is due around June 10 - 12.
I appreciate it! We've had experience with another dog having a false pregnancy. I'm off to check the calculator!
When I was younger, my best friend's parents bred Pointers and Chihuahuas (obviously not together!). The vet came out to help with both of them every time.
If you take her to the vet they can probably feel whether there are puppies in there though. She might even need special pre-natal care, just like a pregnant woman. (Dunno though...)
I'm going to send this to my husband who has had about as much experience as my sister in this department, and see what he says.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.
One first suggestion I would definately make is to havea box set up for her with the rail so she can not accidentally smoosh her pups while birthing others. She is a fine BIG lady and because of that it could easily happen. Another idea is to scoop the pups up when she starts laboring the next and put them in a laundry basket with a blanket and hot water bottle or low temp heating pad. Some females won't stay in the box so I have used a basket before.
You make it peoples business by posting it, and yes,there ae WAY too many dogs in the world w/o purposely breeding more..........Saying you dont want to hear it doesnt make the fact dissapear.
I could care less what you have to say, you should know that by now!
You could also contact a breeder (if there is a mastiff breeder in your area) and ask them questions. Our cocker spaniel breeder would help us with any questions we had if our cocker was having pups! They are usually really helpful people and SO knowledgable!
Your dog is pretty big, but I still recommend a birthing box with a lip around the inside, and placed in a quiet location. It keeps the Mom from laying on her pups by mistake after birth, as well as them from crawling all over the place, LOL. You might find designs on the Internet to make one.
At a certain number of weeks (I've forgotten) the Vet should do an X-ray to tell exactly how many pups there are, as well as making sure the skulls can fit through the birth canal. I would call and make an appointment in advance, and the Vet can tell you when.
Be prepared to help with the birth as necessary, as well as having an emergency plan should things go bad; the closest animal hospital, phone numbers, etc.
We also always took the Mom and pups to the Vet very shortly afterwards, for her to get a "clean-out" shot, and that all the pups were normal/fully formed pallets, etc.
Good luck, and happy puppies!
Congrats with the pups Bridget. I am sure your a responsible person who is owned by her pet.
You can 'know' someone quite well by the body of their posts, w/o having to 'know' them in real life.......
She kept all the pups right with her as she birthed them. If I recall right, there were 7 pups, but I could be mistaken. It took a couple of hours, I recall that clearly, because we kept thinking she was done, only to be surprised a while later with another pup.
With her being a larger dog, I would definitely ask for advice from the vet on whether they feel she can do it alone, or not, especially being a first timer. I don't recall if our dog created her 'nest' before she went into labor, or when she went into labor.
Thanks Vivian, You are so right - it's people who don't take the proper care that is the issue!
Thanks Heather! Growing up we always had male dogs, so I've never been around a female with new puppies!
Ignorant Parents = shouldn't be able to have children
Ignorant Owners = shouldn't be able to have animals
Notice I didn't say animals shouldn't have pups? Is it that the pets are actually smarter then some humans?
I couldn't have said it better than you Renee! You hit the nail on the head!
Looks to me like something crawled up into someone's butt & died .
LMAO I love you girl!!!
Robyn can bite me.
:)
Congrats on future puppies. YOUR DOG IS BEAUTIFUL. It look like you have got some great adic here.
I always made sure my dog had a place to be away from everyone and everything. So, she could have her pups in peace.
Wish I could give personal experience, but haven't ever had a dog have puppies. Now, I used to raise sheep when I was a kid and have helped dad pull lambs on several occasions. Need any lambing advice?
No lambs! LOL! All we have are dogs, pigs and cows!