Biology/Pregnant Dog
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Question
My pregnant chihuahua just started producing milk.
How much longer until the puppies are born
Dear Christian,
Dog gestation normally lasts 63 days, so if you know when she was bred, you should count from there. A pregnant dog can start producing colostrum (first milk, loaded with antibodies) about the eighth week of pregnancy, and this can leak out of her nipples starting at that point. So you should probably expect puppies in the next week or two, depending on when she was bred. The date of that event is the best barometer to know when she's going to give birth.
Hope all goes well. (And that the father was another chihuahua, and not a Saint Bernard.)
Dana
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Answers by Expert:
Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!
Experience
At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).
Education/Credentials
I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980).
I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.
Past/Present Clients
I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.
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