Welcome To Deb's Tzu
Hobby Breeder of CKC Canadian Kennel Club Shih Tzu Puppies

• Check any and all medications with vet prior to administration
• Bitch should receive normal feeding and exercise regimen
• Do not use any insecticides or administer live vaccines.

Fri 29 Jan 2010

• Day of first breeding.
• Sperm migrate beyond cervix.
• To increase chances of fertilization, the bitch should be bred again in approximately 48 hours after the first breeding.

• Sperm travel through oviducts. Sperm may survive for as long as 9 days.

• Sperm reach the oviducts where mature eggs are located.

• Fertilization of the egg (in the oviducts).

• Fertilized eggs migrate into the uterine horns.

• Care of the bitch same as Week 1

• Eggs develop into blastocysts.

• Embryos enter uterus.

• Bitch may start to experience morning sickness due to either hormonal changes or from uterine distension.
• Feed smaller meals several times a day to help with morning sickness.
• If morning sickness persists, your vet may prescribe a drug to relax the uterus.
• May perform ultrasound at this time to determine pregnancy - discuss possible risks of the procedure with your vet.

• On day 19 blastocysts implant in the uterine wall, forming embryonic vesicles.
• On day 22 embryos are visible.

• Bitch may start to have a clear, vaginal discharge.
• May use palpitation to diagnose pregnancy.
• Limit strenuous activity.
• May wish to increase protein in the bitch's diet. Feeding puppy kibble is a good way to accomplish this

• Eyes and spinal cords develop.
• Organ formation begins - at this time the embryos are at the highest susceptibility for defects.
• Mammary development begins.

• This is the best time to perform palpation to determine pregnancy.
• Embryos are approximately the size of a walnut, placed evenly in the uterine horns.

• Bitch begins to lose her 'tuck-up' as weight increases and puppies shift.
• Swelling of the vulva becomes more noticeable.
• Be aware of bitch's weight - do NOT overfeed.
• Palpitation no longer possible due to increased fluids in the uterus.

• Toes, whisker buds and claws begin development.

• Organ formation (organogenesis) ends.
• The fetuses now look like dogs, displaying head and trunk differentiation.
• Gender can be determined.
• Skin pigment begins to develop.
• May be able to hear fetal heartbeat with stethoscope.
• Bitch's nipples begin to darken and enlarge.

• Introduce bitch to whelping box/area - start having her sleep there.
• Increase frequency of meals, keeping an eye on her weight.

• Do not allow bitch to play rough with other dogs or to jump.
• May take radiographs to determine number and size of pups.

• Bones begin to mineralize.
• Puppies are easily felt through abdominal wall, although hard to count.
• Bitch will start to lose hair around the abdomen.

• Bitch's appetite may decrease due to abdominal crowding.
• May want to have bitch thoroughly checked with vet and discuss possible problems.
• Gather together your whelping kit and make preparations.

• Bitch begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming.
• Breasts become even more swollen.
• Bitch may become a bit restless and search for a suitable place for whelping - make sure she is most comfortable in the area you have set up for whelping.

• Feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day, as stomach is crowded.
• Fetal movement easily detected when bitch is at rest.

• Clean abdominal area and vulva with warm water.
• Give bitch a 'maternity clip' - trimming hair around nipples to allow pups easier access.

• Bitch's appetite may disappear as whelping time nears.

• Bitch may become restless and begin to display nesting behavior.

• Begin taking bitch's rectal temperature in the morning and evening.
• Normal temperature range is 100.2-100.8 degrees.
• When temperature drops below 99 degrees, puppies will likely be born within 24 hours.

• Bitch may become distressed - panting, pacing, appearing uncomfortable.
• Clear discharge from the vulva may occur.

• Expected date of whelp (based on an average). Whelping may occur anywhere from the 59th to the 66th day.