Expert: Penny DiLoreto - 4/5/2009

Question
My pug was breed on Feb. 12 and 14 but stood for my male on Feb. 11. They could have conceived anytime after the 11th.I work and the dogs had a orgy all week! It is now April 4, she has gained weight and has a bag but I can not feel any puppies move when I feel her belly. She also has a clear discharge from time to time and has become a picky eater. I know she is pregnant because the vet said he felt something in mid March and she has gained and has a bag. I also brought her back to the vet last week to see if she was going into early labor when I saw the discharge. He said she had not dilated any and to take her temp. at that time her temp was 100.8 It has dropped to 100.3, 98.6 and presently at 100.1.Why can't I feel puppies and why does her temp change so much? How will I know when she is going to have her pups? It is her first litter and I want to be here with her but work. Do they usually have pups at any particular time of day? I had her blocked off from the other pugs but she climbed the gate to be with them. I have made her a box for the pups but she wants to be in my bed and with the other pugs. I am afraid she will hurt herself if she climbs the gate again. Help!!!! any advice will be greatly appreciated! Michele

Answer
Hi Michele.  The normal gestation period for dogs is between 58 - 63 days.  If your dog was bred on Fed 11 - 14, then the puppies are not due until around April 16th.  

I am going to attach the website address to a really cool pregnancy calendar.  I can not take credit for creating the calendar, but I use it with all my litters.  The address is as follows:

http://www.debbiejensen.com/date.html

Some people will try to "feel"  for the puppies, and try to count how many there are.   I strongly advise against this unless you have lots of experience.  Trying to feel for the puppies can cause them to become dislodged from the wall of the Uterus

When the time to give birth arrives the mother will show signs of contractions and possibly begin to shiver.   After each puppy is delivered it will be proceeded by a greenish, fluid-filled sac (placenta). Each puppy is attached to a placenta by an umbilical cord. In larger litters, you may not see one placenta passed immediately after every puppy. Some placentas may be retained and be expelled gradually days after all puppies are born. Most puppies are born head first, but as many as one-third may be born hindquarters first. Either position is considered normal.

In most cases, after each puppy is born, the afterbirth will soon follow. However sometimes - for whatever reason- not always.  It is not uncommon for two afterbirths to pass at the same time, what is important is that all the afterbirths eventually pass.
In some cases, unknown to us, the mother can and will pass the afterbirth outside, while using the restroom, making it had to be completely sure that each one has passed.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com