Signs of Pregnancy for Dogs
According to Doggies.com, there is no blood/hormone testing that can be done on your dog to determine if she is pregnant. If you know when your dog mated you can begin watching for the signs right away. If you don't know when your dog mated, there are signs and symptoms that you can watch for that will alert you to the pregnancy stage of your dog.
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The First Two Weeks
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During the first two weeks of your dog's pregnancy there will be no outward signs that she is pregnant. All of the changes going on are inside your dog. Roughly three days after your dog has mated her fertilized eggs travel to her uterus. Around day 10 the eggs become implanted in her uterine lining.
Third Week Symptoms
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It is during the third week of your dog's pregnancy that you will begin to see outward signs that will alert you that she is pregnant. Her nipples will become darker around day 15. By day 20 of her pregnancy the fur around her nipples will begin to thin out which will make her nipples more noticeable. This thinning out of the fur around her nipples is her body's way of making it easier for her pups to nurse once they make their arrival.
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Fourth Week Symptoms
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The fourth week of your dog's pregnancy is when you should be on the lookout for signs that your dog is going through morning sickness. During this time your dog may temporarily lose her appetite, refuse to eat and she may vomit. By day 25 you should be able to hear the heartbeats of your dog's pups via a stethoscope.
Fifth Week Symptoms
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During the fifth week of your dog's pregnancy your dog's stomach will be expanding and it will become obvious that she is pregnant. By day 30 you may be able to feel the puppies through the mother's stomach. It's during this time that a doctor can generally determine how many pups your mother dog may be having.
Remaining Symptoms Until Birth
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For the remainder of your dog's pregnancy you may find that your dog's nipples become swollen,have a discharge and that her belly expands more with each passing day. You may notice that your dog wanders around more sniffing. This is a sign that your dog is looking for a place to have her litter. She may also spend a lot of time grooming and relaxing as the pups inside her begin to squirm. The gestational period for your dog's pups will be dependent on the breed of your dog. Gestational periods for dogs can range anywhere from 54 to 72 days.
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