Hello,
First, may I suggest spay and or neuter. Average gestation is about 63 days This may be shorter with smaller breeds. For the first three weeks or so of pregnancy, you may not notice any changes in the . Some females will become more demanding for attention, their nipples may enlarge slightly, and some may become hungrier. These are not a guarantee of a pregnancy, but are good signs. es can show the same signs during 'false pregnancy,' a hormonal abnormality, which may occur after a has been in heat.
Several methods are available to determine pregnancy. A clear mucoid vaginal discharge may be seen. It is a reasonably reliable sign of pregnancy and is noticed about 4-5 weeks into pregnancy and continues until parturition. Ultrasound is able to pick up fetal heartbeats at about 28 days into gestation. This will not be able to determine the number of puppies but can give an estimate and can confirm a pregnancy. At about the same time, a veterinarian may be able to palpate the uterus and feel the fetuses. This may not be possible on a large dog or one that has the puppies under the rib cage. A blood test to check for pregnancy is available.
I have left you with three links that may be of some help to you.
Determining if a is pregnant Neutering - Why it's a Good Idea Spaying - Why it's a Good Idea
National Stats
The sad fact is once a puppy or kitten is past its cuteness; or a pet displays behaviors we do not know how to deal with, many pets are discarded like old newspapers. On average 100,000 cats and dogs and puppies are listed on www.petfinder.com, daily. The National Council reports it on Pet Population Study and Policy, from the 5000 or so US agencies who responded to the survey, that over 2 million dogs enter shelters annually. Of those 27% are relinquished by owners, 42% are turned in by animal control, 31 by other sources, of these dogs, 56% are euthanized.
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