How long do contractions last for that terrier? Pregnancy and childbirth of a toy terrier

How does a toy terrier give birth at home?

Many owners of such miniature dogs as toy terriers are often frightened by the thought of giving birth; they want at least basic knowledge about this process in order to be able to help their pet in time. Pregnancy usually lasts 62-64 days, normally, but in any case they give birth no earlier than 55 days and no later than 73 days.

Giving birth to a toy terrier at home

These fragile dogs have a rather delicate body, and the first birth can be accompanied by various complications. That is why owners must be close to the pet when she begins to give birth and skillfully help her so that the process does not end in sad consequences.

In our article, we have collected recommendations from veterinarians on how to properly deliver a toy terrier at home, what to do and how to behave when dogs give birth, and also what to avoid. We offer videos and photos to help you, and we invite you to learn the advice of experienced dog breeders and breeders. The photo clearly shows how long the pregnancy lasts, what processes occur day by day and week by week.

How does a dog behave before giving birth?

To the above, it should be added that during the prenatal stage the pet is worried, struggling to arrange its bed, and the pet’s heavy breathing is felt. Plus, your four-legged friend can look under her tail while she waits. The behavior of a dog before giving birth can make the owner worry, but you should not show your worries, as this will affect the expectant mother. Your floor may also be damaged as the dog will dig at it. She can also hide in dark corners so that no one can see her. Sometimes a dog before giving birth becomes the “tail” of the owner and follows him absolutely everywhere. This happens because your pet is already feeling the first pain. Her eyes are focused on nearby objects, and her tail is in a strange position (stretched back, tip down).

Preparation

In miniature dogs, childbirth can be complicated, so you need to prepare for the process as carefully as possible. Your pet will remain healthy, and the puppies will be born safely and without pathologies, if you follow the advice of veterinarians during pregnancy.

It is necessary to provide the expectant mother with the most comfortable living conditions, take care of her, do not expose her to stress and do not take her out for walks in bad weather. We recommend that you do not touch your terrier unnecessarily when she is pregnant; it is better to surround her with care and feed her as the veterinarian says. The food must be complete, with all the necessary minerals and vitamins, in order to prevent the appearance of puppies with various pathologies. The dog should eat enough, but without gluttony. If the birth is the first, it is advisable that someone experienced in this matter, a veterinarian or a breeder, be with you.

How to determine the beginning

Each dog has different behavior before giving birth, so the process that has begun can frighten inexperienced owners, and for the woman in labor it is a stressful state. However, there are general signs of labor beginning, which you can determine visually if you carefully observe your pet throughout her pregnancy:

Whining;
Trembling throughout the body;
Refusal of food and water at the same time or alternately;
Attempts to dig the ground;
Various stretches;
Dark mucus begins to be released from the genitals;
Body temperature decreases (normally it should be no more than 38 degrees);
A couple of days before giving birth, the dog begins to worry and look for a comfortable place in the house.

What else do Toy Terrier owners need to know? Childbirth can begin suddenly, but at the same time, a pregnant pet can give a sign of its imminent onset; as already mentioned, acute anxiety two or three days in advance and even a few hours before the hour.

What should be the behavior of the owner of that terrier during the birth of his pet? Monitor not only the process, but also your own voice. Dogs are very sensitive to the mood of their owners, and if you shout, fuss, speak nervously and loudly, this will only increase the animal’s stress. Try to keep your voice calm and quiet, speak to the woman in labor kindly and quietly, reassure her. Your toy should have a place prepared for childbirth, not far from her home. Lay down special paper sheets and prepare everything you might need.

The birth process of a toy terrier consists of several stages.

The period of gestation of puppies in the Jack Russell Terrier

This breed is slightly larger than Yorkshire and Toy terriers. Pregnancy in Jack Russell Terriers most often goes well. The dog needs to be given vitamins throughout the entire period of gestation. Jack Russell Terriers are active dogs, so during pregnancy you need to reduce their activity. The dog will benefit from quiet walks in the forest or in the park.

If the animal lives in an apartment building on one of the upper floors, then you need to either use the elevator or carry your pet in your arms. The dog should not be overtired, as this may negatively affect its condition.

First stage of labor

If you have carefully observed your dog over the days and weeks, you will be able to determine when the due date will come. The beginning of the process is considered to be the expansion of the birth canal and stimulation of contractions. Single attempts of medium strength begin. The water bladder, passing to the external genitalia, expands the walls of the birth canal so that the puppies can move out.

You will notice muscle contractions in the abdomen, the babies begin to move and this is clearly visible in the dog’s belly. Already at this time, it is time for you to call a veterinarian or an experienced breeder who has more than once delivered births to Toy Terrier dogs and knows how to behave and what to do at each stage of the maternity process. The specialist should arrive on the same day. This is a guarantee that the birth will end safely, and that the miniature mother and tiny babies will be safe, sound and healthy.

Second stage of labor

In the second stage of the process, the puppies are born. They alternately move along the birth canal and emerge into the light. The woman in labor may whine or even scream as the puppy emerges from the birth canal. Be prepared for the fact that puppies sometimes walk with their paws first. The largest puppy is born first. Start welcoming newborns!

What to do when the fetus shows out? Wait until he comes out completely, do not jerk or fuss, so as not to dislocate his paw and cause harm. Rub it gently with a clean, soft towel. It is necessary to remove mucus from the nose and mouth to clear the mouth of fluid and open air to the lungs. After this, the puppy begins to breathe on its own and squeaks loudly. Now you need to put it on the mother’s belly so that it finds the nipple and takes it. It is immediately after birth that newborn puppies get a chance to drink the healthiest milk, which is called colostrum. It contains the maximum dose of substances for the immunity of newborn babies, so colostrum will help the fragile organisms of puppies survive safely in the new world.

What to do if the puppy is not breathing, despite your help. Try to press your fingers from the sides on the mouth so that it opens and drop the cordiamine prepared in advance. What to do if you do not have this medicine in stock? Place one container with warm water, the other with hot water. You will need to carefully pick up the puppy and dip it in turn, first in one container, then in the other.

The next puppy may appear after a period of time, from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Write down on paper the order in which the puppies appear, their gender, time of birth, and the weight of each baby.

Third stage of labor

Many owners are interested in the question of what to do with the umbilical cord of a newborn puppy. It is important here to prevent excessive blood loss, so it is advisable to break the umbilical cord, but not cut it. How to do it right. As soon as the puppy begins to breathe on its own, grab it with your fingers at a distance of 2-4 cm from the baby’s tummy and 5-6 cm. The hand closest to the puppy must be pulled slightly towards it and the umbilical cord will break.

We recommend reading: Lifespan of Animals Cats

It happens that the bleeding from the umbilical cord does not stop. Then you should have boiled, harsh white threads ready, with which you will need to carefully tie up the umbilical cord, which will then fall off on its own in a couple of days.

Usually the placenta is completely expelled immediately after the puppy is born. What to do if not all of it came out? Then you should have at hand sterile medical scissors, wiped with alcohol, with which you need to grab the outer part of the placenta so that it does not retract back into the uterus of that terrier. You cannot forcibly pull out the placenta, it is better to wait 10-20 minutes; normally it should come out on its own or under the pressure of the next puppy being born.

Keep track of the number of afterbirths released! Because if at least one of them remains in the uterus, it will become inflamed, and the matter may end in the death of your pet!

Quite often there is such a situation as the birth of a puppy with its hind legs forward. If labor is delayed, he may suffocate while still inside the uterus. Only a specialist, a veterinarian or an experienced breeder will help you here.

It happens that a dog becomes so tired from childbirth that she may experience postpartum shock or lack maternal instinct. What should the owners do? Let your pet rest and eat well, and in the meantime, keep the puppies warm and watch the behavior of their miniature mother.

Usually the placenta is completely expelled immediately after the puppy is born. What to do if not all of it came out? Then you should have at hand sterile medical scissors, wiped with alcohol, with which you need to grab the outer part of the placenta so that it does not retract back into the uterus of that terrier. You cannot forcibly pull out the placenta, it is better to wait 10-20 minutes; normally it should come out on its own or under the pressure of the next puppy being born.

How and how to give birth to a dog

When contractions begin , the dog will lie on its right side, resting its paws and back against the walls of the box. First, the amniotic fluid recedes, and after a couple of hours the first puppy is born. After the water breaks, the contractions intensify and become longer, and the dog’s diaphragm and abdomen begin to contract strongly.

When a puppy is born, it makes a squeaking sound, which will indicate that it has started breathing on its own. The dog itself must gnaw the umbilical cord, which serves as a connecting thread between the puppy and the placenta. If she does not do this, you will have to arm yourself with scissors, express blood from the umbilical cord to the puppy, hold it at a distance of 2-3 cm from the puppy and cut the umbilical cord. If there is blood, you need to tie the umbilical cord with a thread dipped in alcohol.

You cannot take the puppy away from the dog immediately after birth - she must lick it to clean it of mucus remaining from the placenta. After about 20 minutes, the afterbirth itself comes out, which the dog eats. After this, you can carefully place the puppy on a soft bedding, away from the mother, so that she does not accidentally crush him at the moment when the next puppy is born.

After all the puppies have come out into the world, you need to change the bedding under the dog to fresh and dry one and place all the puppies next to the mother’s belly , next to her nipples.

Is it necessary to give birth to a toy terrier?

Questions like “Does a terrier need to give birth?” It is not by chance that problems arise among owners of decorative dogs. Having taken responsibility for the life of a small dog, a sensible owner understands that pregnancy and childbirth are a colossal burden on a miniature body.

Even veterinarians do not have a consensus on the need for at least one mating for toy terriers. Arguments like “for health” and “these are not people” are not applicable in this case. We'll talk about something else.

Breeders breed toy terriers that are valuable for breeding selection. Such animals are distinguished by their exterior, are winners of exhibitions and shows, and have blood that is of interest to dog handlers. And, of course, excellent health. That is, they select individuals who will be useful for the development of the breed. A conscientious breeder who cares about the breed and does not make money from it cannot be persuaded to produce a miniature terrier who is far from ideal for the breed.

Healthy childbirth is a myth.

If you are concerned about your health, spay your bitch. Understand a simple thing: childbirth is a kind of triggering of the reproduction mechanism in a dog. Once started, the process, in the future, in the absence of matings, can fail in the form of false pregnancies, which pose a danger to both the health and psyche of the animal.

But we are not talking about dogs for entertainment, which are sterilized so that they do not cause discomfort, but about faithful four-legged friends who grow and develop next to us. And whom we love simply because they exist.

After supporting your toy terrier during pregnancy, your next step will be to help when it's time to give birth. Prepare for them in advance. You know what day toy terriers give birth after mating (the error is small, you must admit). So, you have time to prepare.

Be sure to select a place where the toy terrier will give birth. Some people can afford to allocate a whole room for a woman in labor, while others can afford to allocate part of the room. In any case, all options are welcome. The main thing is to have a place where you can monitor both the mother and the puppies. This is especially necessary if this is the dog’s first birth. Choose a place in such a way that in the next couple of weeks after the birth of the babies you will not tolerate the puppies or disturb the mother.

Requirements for the place of birth.

The animal must get used to the room where the toy terrier is supposed to give birth while still pregnant. It is better to start accustoming her to this place two weeks before giving birth. Moreover, it is during this period that the dog has a strong desire to create his own nest.

The birthing place must meet the following requirements:

purity.
dryness.
no drafts.
not in direct sunlight, but at the same time, heated in cold weather.

You can emit heat for the born offspring by installing a convector, a heater, and an infrared lamp. Adjust the position of the heat source so that when you hold your hand over the birthing site, your hand feels warm. Adjust the temperature in the room so that it is 28-30 degrees.

Remember, you cannot transfer a pregnant toy terrier to the maternity ward immediately before giving birth. She, simply, may not like this place and she will get nervous and the puppies will be born not where you expected.

When there is a breeding toy terrier in your house and you are counting on more than one offspring, then build a box or enclosure for her to give birth. For little toys and their graceful mother, such a place will not be large and bulky. Cover the bottom of the box (mini-aviary) for the birth of babies with oilcloth, and on top put a fabric bedding or an old blanket that you won’t mind throwing away.

How to arrange a dog bed?

Where to arrange a place for childbirth? You can place your dog in one place after giving birth and in another place before giving birth. In any case, make arrangements in advance. A place somewhere away from doors and drafts will do. What should the place be like? Dry, spacious, comfortable, soft, warm, durable, open (this will make it easier for you to access the puppies, and the pet will feel better next to its beloved owner).
Which is best? Large box or playpen. Important: make one of the walls of the dog house slightly lower than the others; the dog should be able to leave its hiding place if desired, but the puppies should not.
Separate place for childbirth. A large bed or sofa, which needs to be covered with a diaper and a sheet, is suitable. This solution is beneficial for large four-legged friends.
Heating system. A special lamp or heating pad will help. In the first days of the week, the temperature should not fall below 28 degrees, after which it can be gradually lowered to 20.

We recommend reading: Puppy Has Green Diarrhea What to Do

Remember: after giving birth, the box where you put the litter should be replaced.

Signs of labor in a toy terrier.

On day 57 of pregnancy, begin measuring your dog's temperature in the morning and evening hours. The norm for a dog is 38.5⁰С. As soon as your baby's temperature drops sharply to 36.5-37⁰C, you can expect childbirth in the next 24 hours. A sharp rise in temperature indicates the beginning of the process.

Recommended reading: Dog has a pimple on its hinge

Important: A low temperature for a dog of 36.5-37⁰C, lasting more than a day, and no contractions occurring is a reason to call a veterinarian. Also, calling a dog doctor is necessary when the temperature rises to 39⁰C.

In addition to temperature fluctuations, signs of labor in a toy terrier include restless behavior and refusal to eat. In the last week before the puppies are born, keep an eye on your toy's feces. Yellowish or dark green stool with an unpleasant odor means the dog has problems and requires prompt consultation with a veterinarian.

If the expectant mother does not want to eat, do not force her, offer her food often, but in small quantities. Complete loss of appetite occurs a day or two before the onset of labor.

In addition, additional signs that the terrier is beginning to give birth are: obvious movement of the puppies in the bitch’s stomach when she is lying down. At the same time, the toy terrier breathes frequently and heavily, the muscles may tremble slightly, and the mammary glands become full.

Pregnancy by day

Pregnancy in a toy terrier dog can only occur if fertilization is successful. This is only possible if the days favorable for mating are correctly determined. The owner must understand that this parameter is individual for each animal. In the literature there are often recommendations to breed a dog at 12-14 days. But all toy terriers are different, one bitch will successfully breed on the 9th day, while another – on the 18th.

Even if this dog was already bred, for example, on the 12th day, and then she gave birth to puppies, this does not mean that this will always be the case. Readiness to mate depends on many factors: age, physical condition, time of year. If you rely only on book recommendations, then your bitch may never get pregnant.

It is very good if there is a male dog in the house, he will help determine the optimal mating day. But most often the owners have only one dog, so this method is not suitable for everyone. In this case, you can contact a veterinarian who, using swabs from the loop and a blood test, can determine the best day for mating.

After mating, fertilization does not occur immediately. First, the sperm meets the egg. Then, as a result of fertilization, a zygote is formed, which is attached to the uterus on days 12-14. Pregnancy of a toy terrier by day:

For 15 days, the embryo is fixed in the uterine cavity. From this moment on, the dog needs to be protected and protected from stress.
At 17 days, the embryos develop a head, body, and spine.
On day 21, the embryo begins to develop a heart.
From day 22, pregnancy can be seen on an ultrasound machine. During this period, the dog experiences discharge from the loop and may begin vomiting.
By day 26, the puppies reach the size of a walnut. From this moment on, the babies can be felt by palpating the abdominal wall of the bitch.
By the 34th day, the dog’s belly has enlarged, they take great care of themselves, jump and run less.
On the 44th day of pregnancy, the uterus significantly increases in size, and the hair around the mammary glands falls out.
By 50 days, an experienced breeder may notice movements of the puppies in the bitch’s stomach.
From day 58, the dog begins to produce milk.

READ Why do cats go to bed with their owners? Why do cats sleep at the feet, on the head of a person? Why can’t adults, children, or pregnant women sleep in the same bed with a cat? How to stop a cat from sleeping on the bed?

How long does pregnancy last for a toy terrier? Typically 58 to 64 days. If a dog's rectal temperature drops to 36 degrees, then it will give birth in the next 24 hours.

That terrier gives birth.

The development of childbirth in a toy terrier, both Russian and smooth-haired, can occur according to one of three scenarios:

the dog can give birth on its own without needing your help. You will only monitor the process.
you help the dog, but the birth of the puppies proceeds normally without complications.
Complications that arise require the presence of a specialist. This applies most of all to the mini toy terrier breed.

The process of giving birth to puppies, regardless of how many puppies are born to a toy terrier, is divided into three periods.

preparatory.
fetal excretion.
postpartum.

How to give birth to a terrier at home.

Let's look at how to give birth to a toy terrier at home. You must be prepared for any developments and prepare in advance.

Let's start with the necessary items and tools. Place a box with: next to the place where the toy terrier will give birth:

clean towels, gauze napkins, previously boiled and ironed;
a room thermometer to monitor the temperature in the puppy box;
cotton wool;
scissors for cutting the umbilical cord. Scissors should have rounded edges;
hand sanitizer;
a container in which to disinfect instruments;
brilliant green or iodine;
syringe;
ampoules with oxytocin;
sterile Vaseline;
scales for weighing puppies;
multi-colored woolen threads used to mark puppies, and white harsh threads for tying the umbilical cord;
large oilcloth;
veterinarian's phone number.

Also prepare warm, sweet tea with milk or some light broth for mommy and, just in case, goat’s milk for the puppies.

There should be warm water near the place where the toy terrier will give birth.

Toy terrier birth periods.

Preparation period.

The dog begins to have contractions (the muscles of the uterus contract), under the influence of which the cervix opens and the amniotic sac enters. This phase can last for a bitch from two to twelve hours. All the dog needs from you is peace and quiet, you can lightly stroke your pet.

Removal of the fetus.

As soon as the cervical canal is fully dilated, under the influence of contractions and pushing (this is when the muscles of the abdominal wall contract), the fetus begins to move into the birth canal to come out. The position of the fetus can be either in the cephalic or pelvic presentation (about 30% of cases). A toy dog, such as a toy terrier, often does not have enough strength to push the puppy out of itself.

There is no need to rush your dog into giving birth to its first puppy. A terrier can give birth to her first child, especially for the first time, in about an hour. In most dogs, puppies are delivered with a bladder or the bladder ruptures on its own in the birth canal. But among the Toys, if the birth process is delayed, the bladder is pierced so that the baby does not suffocate.

Once the dog or you have ruptured the bladder, you need to cut the umbilical cord three centimeters from the puppy's tummy. The umbilical cord is raised so that all the fluid in it flows down. A harsh, disinfected thread is taken and tied around the umbilical cord. Make the cut below the bandage. Then wipe the baby with a cloth and treat the umbilical cord with hydrogen peroxide. If the puppy does not take a breath, then open the baby’s mouth and, tilting it down, make sure that the liquid flows out of the mouth. You can shake the newborn slightly. Or use a gauze pad to gently remove this mucus, not forgetting the mucus in the nasal openings.

As soon as the puppy takes its first breath, place it on its mother's chest so that it "smacking." Help the baby by massaging the mother's nipple until colostrum is released. After about ten minutes, wean him from the breast and place a separate box (box), but so that the mother can see her child.

Dry birth canals need additional lubrication; to do this, use a syringe to pour Vaseline onto the mucous membrane or coat it with the same Vaseline applied to gauze.

It happens that the terrier’s attempts become weaker. This happens when there are a lot of puppies and the dog gets tired. Help mommy with a gentle massage between the ribs and pelvis and give her sweetened tea with milk or warm broth. Never forget to count the delivered placentas. You, of course, can pull on the cut umbilical cord and pull it out, but you should not do this, since the next puppy that is born will push it out on its own.

But it is extremely important that the number of afterbirths released coincides with the number of puppies born. Otherwise, if the placenta remains in the dog’s uterus, it will begin an inflammatory process, and subsequently lead to the death of the animal.

The birth is completed when the dog has no contractions or straining for two hours and all the placenta has come out. This process will become clearer and more understandable for you after watching the VIDEO “Giving birth to a toy terrier at home,” which shows step by step how toy terriers give birth.

Postpartum period.

After the birth of tiny creatures, you should have something on hand to feed your toy terrier after giving birth. To restore strength, a light, low-fat meat broth is suitable, to which you can add rice and an egg. Be sure to take your toy outside for a walk or give him the opportunity to go to the litter box. After emptying, wash thoroughly with warm water, wipe dry and send to the puppies.

There should be warm water near the place where the toy terrier will give birth.

Birth of a toy terrier

Although toy terriers look like puppies due to their tiny size, nevertheless, you always want to play with kids who touch you with their unsightly appearance. Unlike an adult toy terrier, babies have a completely different body constitution, they are very curious, they like care and attention. You don’t want to let go of such little ones, so when deciding whether to increase offspring or not, you must always remember that you will have to go through childbirth with your beloved pet.

We recommend reading: Prostatitis in a Dog Symptoms Video

Preparing for the birth of puppies

Toy terriers bear puppies for 60 days, usually the period is adjusted a couple of days forward or back. Before giving birth, the dog begins preparations: a few days in advance, she looks for a place for herself, as a rule, she digs in her enclosure or in the place that she considers most suitable for babies. The day before the long-awaited event, the pet stops eating and drinking, and mucus is released from the genitals. A few hours before giving birth, the dog begins to have contractions, it breathes heavily, the muscles on its abdomen contract, and the puppies inside the abdomen begin to move more actively. At this point, you need to contact a veterinarian who can come to your home and deliver the toy terriers.

Exercise of a pregnant bitch

While pregnant, your dog's appetite may change. Some animals become selective eaters, while others, on the contrary, begin to consume more food. Pregnancy in a toy terrier lasts up to 72 days. During this time, the dog's food preferences may change several times.

If the animal is accustomed to dry diets, then it needs to be switched to puppy food. In addition to ready-made food, there is no need to buy vitamins, because it already contains everything necessary for the normal development of pregnancy. Puppy food contains more protein, which is very beneficial for the expectant mother.

If the dog eats natural food, then you will definitely have to buy vitamins. The bitch should start receiving a high-quality mineral complex from the first day of pregnancy. If this is not done, the puppies may be born weak and underdeveloped. You can feed the dog only fresh ingredients; it is forbidden to give the pregnant bitch leftovers from the owner’s table.

During gestation, both mother and future puppies experience an increased need for oxygen. Walking is a must in the life of a pregnant bitch. Yes, a dog can wear a diaper at home, but you cannot completely deprive it of fresh air at such a crucial moment. During pregnancy, the Toy Terrier's walks will not be as long as before.

READ Oriental poppy – All flowers

While the dog is outside, the owner must ensure that the dog does not become overtired. It is better to avoid playing with other animals, especially large ones. Usually the dog is already aware of its interesting situation and takes care of itself, but the owner must also be vigilant.

Walking outside is very beneficial for a pregnant bitch; it helps the animal stay in good shape. It has been noticed that in dogs that sit at home all the time, complications during childbirth are more common than in more active individuals. If there are no contraindications to walks, then the toy terrier can be taken outside every day until the birth itself.

The most difficult stage

It is believed that childbirth in dogs is easy; often the dogs themselves push out the babies, lick them and gnaw the umbilical cord. But difficulties can arise with toy terriers, because they themselves are small, for this reason, sometimes they do not have enough strength to push the puppy out. If most dogs give birth to puppies with their heads forward, then toy terriers often push them out with their backs (this happens in 30% of cases).

Since the birth of one baby can last for an hour, a puppy walking with its hind legs forward can suffocate in the bubble. Despite the fact that the puppy should come out in a bubble, it is often pierced prematurely when the puppy is halfway out (if it goes head first). This is done to prevent the puppy from choking, however, there is a risk that the fetus will go backwards.

The best solution, if difficulties arise with childbirth, is to call a veterinarian, who can determine based on the condition of the expectant mother what is best to do. Due to his experience, he will be able to take action in time. In particular, it is usually easier to give birth to a toy terrier on your own by performing a cesarean section. So the dog will not suffer, and the puppies will remain healthy, without deviations.

This operation is performed under anesthesia; the veterinarian makes an incision in the toy terrier’s abdomen, takes out the cubs and carefully sutures the abdomen, carefully treating the operated area. After this, the umbilical cords are cut and disinfected, and if necessary, the tails are docked.

Signs of pregnancy

During the entire first month it is almost impossible to determine the result of mating. Therefore, inexperienced owners do not know how to understand that the dog is pregnant; the toy terrier very rarely becomes drowsy after the first week and feels increased thirst. In other cases, you can rely only on the results of ultrasound. The study is carried out no earlier than 24 days after mating.

Over time, attentive owners begin to notice specific signs of pregnancy:

At 3-4 weeks, the toy terrier begins to refuse food or, on the contrary, its appetite increases. In the first case we are talking about toxicosis.
Later periods are accompanied by darkening and swelling of the nipples, and the release of colostrum from them.

As the puppies grow in the womb, the dog begins to expand in size. Her fur on her belly thins and later disappears completely. This is facilitated by frequent licking of the belly. In this way, the dog prepares the nipples for future feeding of puppies and stimulates the birth process.

After the first 30-35 days, the toy terrier returns to normal life. The greatest activity remains only at the moment of begging for additional food. A pregnant dog, with the exception of the first and last weeks, is constantly hungry.

We recommend reading: Red Eyes in Dogs: How to Treat It

Signs of pregnancy in a toy terrier

False pregnancy

False pregnancy is not considered a disease. If this condition does not occur in an acute form and does not annoy the pet itself, specific therapy is not required. It is necessary to wait until changes in the dog’s behavior and other symptoms go away on their own. To speed up this process, experienced veterinarians recommend removing for a while all toys that the bitch perceives as her puppies. In this way, the natural stimulus for lactation can be reduced.

Postpartum behavior

The maternal instinct in a pet may not awaken immediately, so there is no need to push the new mother towards the cubs.

As a rule, dogs that give birth on their own experience postpartum shock, and those who have had a cesarean section take a long time to recover from anesthesia. In this regard, you need to give the toy terrier time to rest, sleep well and eat a hearty meal.

During such a period, it is better to feed the puppies, keep them warm, and constantly monitor them, but most often the mother can only leave for 24 hours, so you won’t have to care for the babies for a long time. As soon as the maternal instinct awakens, the toy terrier will not let anyone near its babies.

Thus, bringing a new life into the world is not an easy task, especially when such tiny creatures as toy terrier puppies are born. If you want to breed your favorite pet, you should think in advance about what she will experience and weigh all the pros and cons that she will face at the time of birth.

Since the birth of one baby can last for an hour, a puppy walking with its hind legs forward can suffocate in the bubble. Despite the fact that the puppy should come out in a bubble, it is often pierced prematurely when the puppy is halfway out (if it goes head first). This is done to prevent the puppy from choking, however, there is a risk that the fetus will go backwards.