The Oestrus Cycle – Pregnancy & Birth
Courtesy of Kyron Animal Health Products – www.kyronlabs.co.za
Dogs
· Dogs come on heat for the first time at about 6 months, but this can be considerably later for the larger breeds. The heat will last about 21 days and will occur at roughly 6 month intervals.
· Signs of heat are a swollen vulva and an initial bloody discharge (which can be quite profuse) for the first 10 or 11 days. Some bitches will be a bit off their food and many shed hair profusely. Obliviously at this time they will be very attractive to males. A vaginal smear can demonstrate the stage of oestrus.
· The gestation period is approximately 63 days. The ease with which the bitch will give birth is dependent on:
a. The breed of the bitch
b. The size of the dog (in not the same breed as the bitch)
c. The number of previous litters
d. The temperament of the bitch.
· Owners with pregnant bitches should always bring them in for a check a week or so before the puppies are due. Certain signs are evident about 24 hours before giving birth: restlessness, loss of appetite and drop in rectal temperature are the most notable. Dogs are usually sterilized at 6 months of age. However, most animal welfare organisations will sterilise from 8 weeks of age and there is no scientific evidence to indicate that this is in any way harmful to the animal’s later health.
· Dogs come on heat for the first time at about 6 months, but this can be considerably later for the larger breeds. The heat will last about 21 days and will occur at roughly 6 month intervals.
· Signs of heat are a swollen vulva and an initial bloody discharge (which can be quite profuse) for the first 10 or 11 days. Some bitches will be a bit off their food and many shed hair profusely. Obliviously at this time they will be very attractive to males. A vaginal smear can demonstrate the stage of oestrus.
· The gestation period is approximately 63 days. The ease with which the bitch will give birth is dependent on:
a. The breed of the bitch
b. The size of the dog (in not the same breed as the bitch)
c. The number of previous litters
d. The temperament of the bitch.
· Owners with pregnant bitches should always bring them in for a check a week or so before the puppies are due. Certain signs are evident about 24 hours before giving birth: restlessness, loss of appetite and drop in rectal temperature are the most notable. Dogs are usually sterilized at 6 months of age. However, most animal welfare organisations will sterilise from 8 weeks of age and there is no scientific evidence to indicate that this is in any way harmful to the animal’s later health.
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