Key points, signs and course of Yorkie pregnancy

After successful mating, pregnancy begins - a crucial moment in the life of the dog and the owner. Yorkshire Terriers are fragile animals that need care and attention, especially during this period. The owner must notice the signs of pregnancy in the pet as early as possible and provide her with competent care. Then you can be sure that the birth will take place without complications, and the puppies will be born healthy. This is what will be discussed in detail in this article.

How can you tell if your dog is pregnant?

Many Yorkie owners talk about changes in their pet’s behavior: the dog is apathetic, sleeps a lot, and refuses to eat. The dog walks in this state for 7-8 days, after which activity and appetite return. The first signs of pregnancy appear at the beginning of the 3rd week of pregnancy. This period is associated with:

1. The appearance of toxicosis, nausea and vomiting.
2. Possible loss of appetite.
3. The discharge of viscous, transparent, odorless mucus from the loop.

At the 3rd week of pregnancy, embryos begin to be felt - small lumps on both sides of the pet’s abdomen.

Puppies should only be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced breeder, otherwise you may inadvertently harm the unborn babies.

What to feed your Yorkshire Terrier during pregnancy?

For almost the entire prenatal period, the diet does not change. A different menu may cause stress or upset your stomach. It is necessary to gradually increase portions, but do not overeat. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly visit or consult a veterinarian about the weight and condition of your pregnant pet. Only 2 weeks before giving birth, the Yorkie is switched to puppy food or the amount of meat is reduced, compensating for it with cottage cheese, eggs, kefir, and fish. It is important to walk your dog more often, reducing the time spent on walks. She needs to move, breathe air and get vitamin D outside so that pregnancy and childbirth go smoothly.

Calendar of deadlines (table) by day

On average, pregnancy in dogs lasts from 56 to 72 days. In Yorkies, the duration of gestation for puppies is usually from 60 to 62 days. Below is a table of fetal development by day and week.

Embryo 16 weeks - 19 weeks

During these three weeks, the fetus will noticeably increase in size and will be 22 cm in height, 240 g. in weight. During this period, the entire body will be covered with vernix lubrication, the glands begin to produce hormones, and the skeleton becomes much stronger. The lower part of the fruit begins to grow faster than the upper, that is, the proportions are equalized. Sex cells are formed in girls. This week may be accompanied by the first fetal movements. They won't be active at first, so don't worry if you don't feel your baby all the time.

Flow

At the end of the first month, the dog’s body becomes more rounded, thickening is noticeable on the sides. If the pregnancy is multiple, the belly will begin to enlarge at the beginning of the 3rd week. With the onset of the 5th week, the nipples swell and the skin around them becomes lighter. Active growth of the abdomen occurs at the end of 2 months, when puppies begin to actively gain weight.

During the first pregnancy, signs appear later because Yorkies giving birth for the first time have stronger abdominal muscles.

Similar signs

By the dog's behavior before giving birth, you can determine when it will start giving birth.

1. 4 - 5 days before giving birth, the dog experiences a slight sagging of the back caused by prolapse of the uterus.
2. Also, the imminent birth can be judged by rapid breathing and a decrease in body temperature.
3. Some individuals begin to get nervous 7-10 days before giving birth and refuse to eat, others, on the contrary, eat more, behave as actively as possible, and like to take long walks.
4. Before giving birth, the bitch behaves restlessly, looking for a quiet and secluded place where she will be comfortable giving birth and feeding puppies.

The dog should not be allowed to hide - the birth should take place in full view of the owners so that they have the opportunity to help the puppy or bitch.

Feeding and caring for a pregnant Yorkie

Starting from the 4-5th week of pregnancy in a Yorkshire Terrier, the dog is limited in increased activity, and is prohibited from running up stairs and jumping. It is not recommended to let a pregnant bitch near other female dogs while walking.

A Yorkie in this position is also recommended for daily walks, but care must be taken to ensure that the pet does not become overtired during these walks.

You need to pick up a pregnant dog slowly and carefully. At the same time, you should not press your hand on your stomach.

In the first half of gestation, the bitch’s diet remains normal. From the 5th week, it is recommended to feed a pregnant dog with specialized food. They contain all the elements and vitamins necessary for the Yorkie and the full development of embryos. Pregnant bitches can be given:

• Royal Canin Starter;
• Purina DOG CHOW;
• Orijen Puppy;
• Brit Care Mini Puppy.

As for wet food, Hill's Science Plan Puppy Savory canned food is suitable for a pregnant Yorkie, as well as spiders from other manufacturers intended for feeding puppies.

When feeding naturally, the Yorkshire Terrier's diet must include vitamin supplements recommended by a veterinarian. For pregnant bitches, drugs are produced under the names Quantum ICD Dog-Mama, Unitabs MamaCare, Farmavit Neo, etc.

Every week the diet is increased by 10% at the expense of proteins. By the end of pregnancy it is 50% greater than in the first half of gestation.

Feeding the puppy bitch should be fractional. A Yorkie is fed 3 to 5 times a day.

Natural nutrition during pregnancy should be varied as much as possible. The basis of the diet should be protein foods in the form of meat, offal, eggs.

1.5 weeks before the expected birth, the amount of protein is reduced. 5 days before the maternity process, it is recommended to remove meat from the diet completely, replacing it with vegetables, cereals, and dairy products. If the Yorkie categorically refuses to eat such food, then a small amount of meat is added to the diet.

Along with protein foods, your Yorkie must receive cereals, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

During pregnancy, it is very important not to overfeed the bitch. This can lead to excess weight gain and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Leakage

During normal labor, this process is divided into 3 stages:

1. Dilatation of the cervix.
2. Birth of puppies.
3. The appearance of afterbirth.

The labor process begins with the breaking of water, then pushing and dilatation of the cervix begin. The dog is nervous, often licks itself, and clings to its owner. The puppy is born in an amniotic sac, which must be torn if the bitch does not do it herself. It is also necessary to cut the umbilical cord. The puppy comes out with its hind legs or pelvis forward.

The puppy may appear from the loop and hide back several times, this is normal.

The interval between the appearance of puppies is on average 20 - 40 minutes, from the start of contractions until the appearance of the last puppy 3 - 24 hours pass. 15 minutes after the birth of each puppy, an afterbirth should come out, which the bitch can eat - biologically active substances contained in the placenta stimulate lactation.

The dog should not be allowed to eat more than 2 afterbirths, otherwise it may develop diarrhea.

The number of puppies depends on the dog's size, genetics and quality of life, but Yorkies are unlikely to have a very large litter. On average, a dog bears from 1 to 6 puppies, most often 2 to 3. The eyes of puppies open on the 10th to 16th day after birth.

Suitable nicknames for Yorkies

A beautiful nickname for a pet should be selected taking into account the puppy’s character.

The Yorkshire Terrier comes from England, so English boy names that sound noble will reflect the origin and habits of the pet.

Nicknames for boys:

• Adam
• Benny
• Hector
• Dave
• Carter
• Evie
• Sherman
• Archie
• Willie
• Ricky
• Tappy
• Eliot
• Yardley
• Chibo
• Argon

A puppy's name is the first thing he should learn from human speech

Nicknames for girls:

• Flat
• Ilsa
• Odette
• Yala
• Blackie
• Niva
• Silver
• Anthea
• Dana
• Fleur
• Cholly
• Abby
• Astrel
• Vivien

A pet who allows her owner to give birth to her trusts the person to the highest degree.

Experience, lack of panic and gentle treatment of the bitch and babies during childbirth will help justify your trust. The number of a veterinarian who can be called to your home must be kept on hand from the very beginning of your dog’s pregnancy. Care and attention will help you adopt and raise healthy and full-fledged little Yorkies.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7QsTc7mBTCQ

After

During the week after birth, you need to give your pet 1 tsp 2-3 times a day. milk with calcium. You should not feed your Yorkie meat; it can cause eclampsia, a severe form of toxicosis.

It is better to feed a lactating bitch with high-calorie ready-made industrial food.

You can bathe your dog only 7 days after birth; before that, only wiping with a damp towel is allowed.

Possible complications

The birth of a Yorkshire Terrier most often occurs without complications. Problems arise if the bitch has a narrow pelvis and is unable to give birth on her own. In this case, a caesarean section is required. A sign of the need for surgery is a dirty gray discharge that appears shortly before birth. It is also important to ensure that during birth all the placenta comes out - their number should be equal to the number of puppies. Placences that do not come out during childbirth may come out within 24 hours afterward; if this does not happen, the dog must be shown to a veterinarian.

What should be the preparation?

Preparing a dog for mating should begin not the day before, but at least from the beginning of estrus . At this time, it is necessary to carry out the necessary medical procedures, such as vaccination and deworming.

It would be good to conduct a full medical examination of the bitch in order to promptly identify possible pathologies of her internal organs.

If any are identified, it is not recommended to breed the dog..

Before mating, not only the bitch, but also the male, must eat well, and the basis of their diet at this time should be protein products.

False

There are cases when signs of behavior of a pregnant bitch appear in an individual who did not participate in mating. This condition is called false pregnancy in dogs. Symptoms of false pregnancy:

1. The dog's desire to create a home for puppies.
2. Showing motherly care for her toys.
3. Colostrum secretion and lightening of the skin around the nipples.
4. An enlarged belly and a swollen loop.
5. Imitation of labor.

With mild symptoms, this condition goes away after 2 - 3 weeks; the following will help alleviate it:

• Avoid contact of the dog with pregnant and lactating individuals.
• Reducing lactation by eliminating dairy products from the menu.
• Food restriction.
• Increased physical activity.

You should not resort to expressing milk, this will only increase lactation.

If symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks, as well as if vomiting, diarrhea, increased aggression, etc. occur, you should consult a doctor. The main danger in such a situation is the accumulation of milk, leading to mastitis.

Frequently repeated false pregnancies lead to the development of cancer.

Give birth at home

It is necessary to prepare in advance the tools and medications that may be required:

1. Alcohol.
2. Hydrogen peroxide.
3. Zelenka.
4. Cotton wool.
5. Syringes.
6. Thermometer.
7. Glucose 5%.
8. Veterinarian emergency number.
9. Sterile medical wipes.
10. Sharp scissors.

You will also need 2 boxes or beds - in one of them there will be a dog’s nest in which she will give birth, in the other the puppies should be placed until the end of the birth. Babies need to stay warm, so a heating pad will be required. With the onset of the first contractions, it is necessary to place the bitch on an elevated, soft place covered with diapers.

You should not rush your pet or interfere with the birth process.

The fruit is in 2 bubbles that protect it. These bubbles burst in the pelvic cavity and moisten the birth canal. Puppies are born in a thin shell that can be easily removed with a napkin. The puppies' mouth and nose are covered with mucus, which must be removed by moving their muzzle downward several times so that they can breathe freely.

After this, you need to cut the umbilical cord, milk the blood, and apply a thread. It is necessary to monitor the time interval with which puppies are born: if contractions last a long time and the puppy is not born, you should immediately call a doctor.

Power types

There are two main methods of feeding Yorkies: a natural diet and feeding with dry food. Each of them is able to provide your pet with the microelements necessary for health and well-being. The choice of method depends on how much time the owner is willing to spend on his four-legged friend.

Let's take a closer look at the features of each type of food.

• Dry food. Dog food in granules is an ideal choice for owners who do not have time to prepare food for their pet. High-quality dry food already contains balanced microelements and vitamins, so the Yorkie owner can only choose the right variety and calculate the dosage of the portions. It is important to know that cheap products do not satisfy the needs of four-legged friends - only premium and super premium products are suitable for purebred animals.
• Natural food. The method takes much more time for the owner, but the variety of foods makes the dog much happier. One half of the servings should consist of protein products, and the other half of carbohydrates and fiber. A natural diet must be supplemented with vitamins that are lacking in regular food.

It is important to note that for a natural type of food it is necessary to select the right foods, because a Yorkie cannot eat everything. The menu is compiled using the following ingredients:

• meat with low fat content (chicken, lamb, veal or turkey);
• chicken liver;
• sea ​​fish;
• buckwheat, rice or wheat;
• vegetables;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• chicken egg yolk (it is better not to give the white);
• fresh fruit (apples or peaches);
• dried fruits (only on the recommendation of a veterinarian).

It is recommended to season each serving with olive oil - this ingredient has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.