Sunday, January 25, 2015

Week 6-7 of Lyra's Pregnancy

Week Six 

Lyra has a noticeably larger tummy and her pregnancy will be obvious to "most" people -- her extreme "tuck up" is gone.  To me, her tummy seems to grow on a daily basis, and her nipples have become noticeably bigger and pinker.  I've increased her food by about 1/2 cup. She is currently eating Merrick Grain Free Chicken or Duck.

I have also added her favorite Raw Dog Food by "I and love and you" (link: http://www.iandloveandyou.com/dog/raw-dehydrated/).  Eventually the puppies will be raised on this  entire same diet (kibble and dehydrated raw).

All my dogs get "Bone Broth" which is freshly made each Sunday in my Crock Pot with a roasted chicken.  Lyra loves the extra flavor in her kibble.  


Csilla, Lyra and houseguest, Archie (Lyra's nephew) supervising the bone broth.


Week Seven (ends 1/31/2014)

I've prepared my spare bedroom by setting up the whelping box for Lyra and the babies.  She will have soft fleece bedding, all the whelping supplies as needed (latex free gloves, spare towels and blankets, hemostats, thermometer, newborn puppy collars) and a in-room thermometer to monitor the the temperature (needs to remain 78-80F at all times).  I also have fellow breeder friends "on call" to assist with the whelp. 

Friday, January 23, 2015

Week 5 of Lyra's Pregnancy

Week Five

Some information on canine pregnancy:

At this stage, amniotic fluid in the uterus increases in order to protect the pups around day 32 of gestation, and so you or your vet will no longer be able to detect the presence of puppies by palpating the abdomen. 

From week five onwards, the puppies are much less susceptible to developmental issues and defects. The individual toes begin to form, and claws and whiskers start to grow. The foetuses also develop their male or female sexes during this time. The puppies will begin to develop their markings and the skin pigmentation that will eventually determine their colour and looks.

The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to look like actual puppies. The leg buds lengthen and develop toes. Your dog's belly will begin to look noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space. With less room for full meals, it's time to think about serving smaller meals more frequently.

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Can you see Lyra's baby bump?

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Lyra Day 40 -- I see a baby bump!


Beautiful Lyra and her "Baby Bump" on Day 40.  During our hike she managed to roll in some unnamed feces which is pretty indicative of a pregnant dog (gross, I know!).  She had a bath the second we arrived home.