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Caring for your dog during and after her pregnancy
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Part One of Five
For Jim and Michelle Field, their dream of having puppies in the house was going to come true a bit too soon. Several issues overwhelmed them; what would they do when the time came? How would little Daisy fare through her first pregnancy? The Fields had a long fifty-nine to sixty-three gestational days ahead of them, and a whole lot to learn about dogs and birthing.
“It consumes your whole life,” said Jim, cuddling Dutch, their ten-pound male Yorkshire Terrier.
“It happened way too fast,” Michelle added, “but it’s a fun experience.”
Michelle, Jim and their two daughters had done everything possible except separate their two Yorkies. When Daisy and Dutch mated, the whole household froze into one moment of panic. Daisy had only recently turned one-year old, and for a Yorkshire Terrier, she is on the small end of the scale, weighing only four pounds, three ounces.
“We tried to keep an eye on the dogs constantly. We put Daisy in a diaper, and for Dutch, we used a belly-band, but they were able to get around the obstacles,” Michelle said.
“It’s an experience you have to change your whole schedule around for,” Jim said. “You have to make sure someone is home or nearby in case she goes into labor. There’s a lot to know.”
Find the Right Veterinarian
The Fields are animal lovers who wanted to experience the joy of a litter of puppies, but finding a vet to help was one obstacle they did not expect. “This is most likely a one-time thing,” said Michelle. “If Daisy is a good mama, and she has an easy birth, we might do it again, but she is my baby and I won’t do anything to put her health in jeopardy.”
The first vet spoke to the Fields in a scolding manner, obviously disapproving of Daisy’s pregnancy. The second seemed to feel the same as the first, telling Jim and Michelle that if complications arose during the birthing, he would save Daisy before the pups. “I felt like he completely disapproved,” Michelle said, “and I didn’t need to be scolded, I wanted a good vet who was knowledgeable about small breeds and pregnancy.”
It took three paid visits to local veterinarians and several more phone calls before Jim and Michelle were comfortable with their vet. If the Fields have learned anything from their experience, it is that being comfortable with your veterinarian is vital. After all, you will have many concerns, and there is always the chance of unexpected complications. The vet they chose immediately put them at ease.
“Just remember,” said Michelle, “if you don’t feel comfortable, your dog will notice, and that won’t help her to relax.”
Look for more information on how Daisy fared through her pregnancy, and tips on how you can help your dog through hers, in upcoming articles.
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