Guide Dogs for the Blind Breeder – Alda

The following information gathered from http://www.schaferhund.com

This calendar is from her L litter in 2006.

Wed 2 Nov 2005 First day of mating.

48 hours after the first mating the bitch should be mated again. Subsequent matings occurring over a period of time enhance the chances of fertilization taking place. The spermatozoa migrate up through the cervix.

Thu 3 Nov 2005

Sperm travel searching for a mature ripened eggs.

Fri 4 Nov 2005

Spermatozoa reach the eggs in the oviducts.

Sat 5 Nov 2005

Fertilization occurs in the oviducts which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.

Mon 7 Nov 2005

Fertilized eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns. The migration continue to enable even spacing of the embryos. During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocystes.

Tue 15 Nov 2005

The blastocystes implant in the wall of the uterus.

Wed 16 Nov 2005 – Wed 23 Nov 2005

Dams nipples begin to pink and enlarge. The fur on the dams belly and around the nipples may become thinner.

Sun 13 Nov 2005 – Sun 27 Nov 2005

The blastocystes will grow into an embryos.
During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.

Tue 22 Nov 2005 – Tue 29 Nov 2005

Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus. Dam may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time. Feeding the dam several meals spaced throughout the day might help. Your veterinarian may want to prescribe a drug to relax the uterus. Alda is now very mellow and sleepy. Her response to seeing the Vet for the ultrasound was quiet and unexcited (not her usual self). She is eating well and seems hungry.

Sun 27 Nov 2005 – Thu 1 Dec 2005

An experienced person (a breeder or a veterinarian) can tell by careful palpation whether the dam is pregnant. It’s now the best time to do this because the embryos are walnut-sized now and easy to count.

Tue 29 Nov 2005

Ultrasound appointment at GDB. Alda has between 6 and 7 pups. This is just a guess things can always change.

Wed 30 Nov 2005

Start to increase the dams food ration. Don’t overfeed, excessive weight gain should be avoided. The fetuses are now and are fully developed miniature dogs. Alda’s daily food increases from 3 cups to 4 cups.

Tue 6 Dec 2005

The Dams abdomen starts to get larger. Alda’s daily food increases to 5 cups.

Wed 14 Dec 2005

Alda’s daily food increases to 6 cups.

Fri 16 Dec 2005

It’s very easy now to feel the puppies, counting them might be a bit more difficult.

Mon 19 Dec 2005 – Tue 27 Dec 2005

Dam begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming. Her breasts become even more swollen. She may become a bit restlessness and begin to search for a suitable place to have her puppies.

Wed 21 Dec 2005

The dam might lose her appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with puppies. It is better to feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day. You can easily detect abdominal movement now.

Wed 22 Dec 2005 – Thu 5 Jan 2006

Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the puppies to suck.

Tue 27 Dec 2005

Alda’s “return to GDB” date.

Sat 31 Dec 2005 – Tue 3 Jan 2006

Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.

Sun 1 Jan 2006

Alda’s due date. You might want to start taking the dams rectal temperature each morning and evening.

Wed 4 Jan 2006

Twelve to 24 hours before she is due to deliver, the dams rectal temperature may drop from 101 to 98 degrees. Clear discharge from the vulva might occur.

Thu 5 Jan 2006

Expected date of whelp. Of course this is just an average. Whelping may take place from the 59th to the 65th day. Puppies born before the 58th day will probably be too young to survive.