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Hi Sandra,

The main problem with this scenario is that the puppies won't receive any immunities to tide them over until their own immune systems begin to develop. The first milk a mom produces is called colostrum and it contains protective antibodies for the pups. There's a chance that the puppies could be exposed to bacteria and viruses from the surrogate mom, so I think it would be safer to check with your vet to find out if offering puppy formula might be the better option until the puppies are a little older.

Thanks for your question and I hope it all works out well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a ... that has 3 newborns and wants nothing to do with them. I have another ... that had pups 6 months ago that desperately wants the newborn pups. She washes them and sits with them. They are 9 days old and today I discovered she has milk. Will this harm her in any way or the pups if they nurse on her?

-- Contributed by: Sandra

Hi Kayce,

That's fabulous news, and I'm glad your dog did so well. That's also a good-sized litter, so keep adding a spoonful of cottage cheese to your dog's food once a day to help with milk production. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly,

Just wanted to let you know that we had puppies this morning from 12am to 4am. She ended up have 9 they are 4 boys and 5 girls. She done really get I never really had to help with anything until there at the end she was really tired and and the other pups were trying to eat so i had to hand so of the pups so she could clean them cause she really could not get to them. It was a great morning and we are very excited about the road ahead. Thanks for all of your help

-- Contributed by: Kayce

Hi Kayce,

Has the temperature stayed that low or dropped closer to 97 degrees F since that reading? If so, you should be getting close to delivery time. Keep a close eye on your dog and make sure the whelping area is ready for her.

Let us know what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I took my dogs temp today at 12pm it was 98.6.

-- Contributed by: Kayce

Hi Kayce,

That discharge indicates that the time for labor is getting closer, so it's a good sign. The walks are good for your dog at this point as long as she doesn't become too tired. Continue to take the temperature at 12 hour intervals, and let us know how the litter turns out.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I just wanted to give you a update on my dog. She is really huge now and it is all belly. I am still taking her for short walks about 15 min. long about 4 times a day. Her temperature is still at 99.2 but she is becoming very clingy and has some thick clear discharge starting now. Well I will let you know if anything else changes or when the puppies get here.

-- Contributed by: Kayce

Hi Kayce,

Yes, that kind of fluctuation is fairly typical. If you're going to follow the temperature taking method to help gauge when labor will begin, you're really look for a drop that gets close to 97 F and stays that low for two readings taken 12 hours apart. When that happens you should expect labor to begin within 24 hours.

Keep me posted on what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks Kelly for your information. I have one more question I took my dog's temperature today and it was 99.4 then i took it again about 12 hours later and it read 100.2 is this normal?

-- Contributed by: Kayce

Hi Kayce,

It's possible that this could be a smaller litter and the pups are still tucked up under the ribs. If this is the case, the pups should be moving down very soon. Go ahead and continue to treat your dog as if she is pregnant. Don't worry about the milk just yet either. Some females don't begin milk production until the pups begin to nurse.

Thanks for your question, and be sure to let us know how it all turns out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a Pit bull that is 7 weeks pregnant.She is getting bigger and her tits have filled out but I still can not fell the puppies. I was Just wondering if she could be having a false pregnancy? When I breed her they got together several times and I am estimating the due date by the last time they were together. She is not nesting or producing milk as i know that those are signs of false pregnancy. I just thought i would be able to fell the pups by now.

-- Contributed by: Kayce

Hi Leigh,

Hopefully this is just pregnancy related. Sometimes an especially large litter will put added pressure on the bowels and tummy. There probably isn't much room left. Do keep a close eye on your dog, and don't hesitate to call you vet if you feel something is just not right. That said, my hunch is that your girl is going to deliver slightly sooner than usual.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for an uneventful delivery!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have a pure Blue heeler girl, this is her third litter the others have gone smooth this one has but it is different. she is now 61 days into her pregnancy puppies do move and still hear heart beats loud and clear, My girl for the last few days has had her milk come in but she is throwing up and has loose motions these are not excessive she just never got like this before. Last two litters she stuck to me like glue same with this one I touch her stomach and she quivers. I have checked her to see if she is dilating and she is not there. Her temp is down to 36degrees celius and its normally 37.7. She is laying around alot but still gets up to chase cat if it comes near her. My main concern is the stools and vomiting last few she only vomited after she had them all but she ate the after birth we did try and remove it from her before she ate but she didnt like that idea. When does it become serious with the vomiting and runs. She has gone off her food this morning but still drink alot of water. Should there be anything to be concerned about. Thanks

-- Contributed by: Leigh

Hi Naomi,

Your vet is probably right to want to perform the C-section. If it has been 68 days since the first breeding it would be 65 days from the second. Although the pups may not be in any distress, you're right to be concerned that their size might now make it more difficult for your female to deliver. If you dog does go into labor before your vet has a chance to perform the operation, don't let her push hard for more than an hour and a half before heading to the emergency vet.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a shih tzu at 68 days not showing any signs of labor at all. she is confirmed pregnant with 5 puppies and can see them moving. The vet wants to do surgery to remove the pups tomorrow.She was breed twice 2 days apart and she is doing plenty of sleeping and still eating very well....... I am just so concerned these pups will be to big to be delivered if labor starts tonight.....

-- Contributed by: naomi

Ok, my dog was stuck to a male on 01/14/08 again on the 15th and the 16th. She has become HUGE around the mid section and about mid to late February you could feel the movement of the pups. She is now at 63 days and her nipples have yet to have milk in them, she also has had vomiting in the last 24-48 hours and even some liquid stools but as of now I can't feel the movement of the puppies and she is simply miserable because she is so big. There is absolutely no signs of whelping from her either but if you touch her hind quarters it makes her tummy "quiver." Why is there no milk and is she even really pregnant? My dog is 1/2 dingo and 1/2 chow...I am not sure how this whole puppy mommy thing works.

Hi Trina,

Actually, it sounds as though your dog is in the early stages of labor. That tummy quivering is probably a contraction. Many dogs also throw up in the early stages, as well as have a loose stool due to the pressure being exerted on the bowels by the pups. Puppies typically go quite quiet a day or two before the delivery.

Don't worry that your bitch doesn't have milk just yet. Some bitch don't begin producing until the puppies begin to nurse.

All things considered, I think you may see puppies within the next 24 hours. Let us know what happens.

-- Contributed by: Trina

hi, My 4 year old staffie ... is in her 68th day and showing no sign of whelping. My vet told me not to worry because some first time mums take a little longer. He ask me to phone on her 69th day if theres no sign of labour. She had an ultra sound at 30 days to confirm she was pregnant and a check up at 59 day, the vet could'nt her any heart beats at this stage but said this isn't a sign shes not pregnant! She also isn't very big execpt her nipples which are producing milk.

Hi Cat,

In 20 years of breeding, I've never had a bitch go 68 days, first time mom or otherwise. I think there's a high chance your bitch reabsorbed the litter sometime after the ultrasound. It's heartbreaking, but it happens. My advice is to ask your vet to give your bitch a final exam to detect if there are any pups at all, and if any have possibly died in utero.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your outcome.

-- Contributed by: cat

I read somehwere that the pregnangy could take up to 63-72 days ...and that sometimes sperm do not take till days after she has been bred...so how far past the last time she bred should i wait.My lab is not very big but her botton 2 sets of boobies are continuaslly swelling....may she just have 1 pup...this is the first time she has been bred....

Hello again Erin,

I've personally never had a dog go beyond 63 days, although most breeding resources say gestation could last as long as 67 days. I still think you should have your vet examine your dog if it has been 67 days since the final breeding. :)

-- Contributed by: Erin

I bred my black lab and she is past her first initial due date and she was bred 5 times how far past the 5th day (it she took ) should i expect puppies....she ackt pregnant but her tummy is still small so i think it may be a false pregnancy...so what i am saying is how far past the last due date do i wait till i give up hope...

Hi Erin, if it's 67 days past the last breeding, she may not have any pups. To be on the safe side, it might be a good idea to have your vet examine her.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Erin

Hi, I have a Min Pin and we bred our dog last November, the last one was No. 11, so it's 64th day for the last breeding, she has all the signs and all we are waiting is the first stage of the labor but still there are no signs of she will be delivering the pups. Our Dam is still not showing signs of illness, she is still very very active but not that active the she used to. Right now we can still feel the pups moving. I just wonder if its ok to be delayed on giving birth on the pups and how long it can be overdue? Thank You!

Hi Maverick, most dogs deliver between 63 and 67 days. The sperm can live for several days, so eggs are sometimes fertilized several days after the breeding.

If you can feel the pups moving and your bitch doesn't seem distressed, you don't need to become worried just yet. Keep watching your bitch for signs she is going into labor.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Maverick

I have a small imperial ...zu that starting spotting blood Saturday (yesterday) and her vulva is extremely swollen. Would this be counted as her first day in heat (Proestrus)?

Hi Rose, yesterday would be considered day one if you're sure you caught her first day.

-- Contributed by: Rose

In response to my previous question, the one about my dog going into heat on October 14th and not having the puppies by now, which she still hasn't had them.

If this is a false pregnancy, when will she go into heat again. I would like to know so I can keep her from getting pregnant if she isn't fixed by then.

Hi Britney,

Heat cycles are rarely on an exact schedule, and environmental and physical factors can influence when they begin. Basically your bitch should come in on her regular schedule. If she comes into heat every six months, look for the next heat six months from the previous cycle. From her false pregnancy, this means approximately four months after her missed "due date".

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Britney

My dog went into heat around October 14th. I put her in a separate fenced area to keep her away from our male dog, but on October 28th, she escaped and got back in the fence with our male. She hasn't gotten much bigger and her breasts have grown, but aren't huge. They are not leaking milk when I squeeze them at all. It is now Jan. 8th and I am almost certain she should have had the puppies by now. She is acting normal for the most part. She seems a little bit, but not much more, moodier, she hasn't been eating well for the past week, and thats pretty much it. My husband and I both felt her stomach and thought we might have felt something, but we weren't sure. I cannot afford to go to the vet until the 17th, so I can't see what is going on. According to my dates, am I correct that she should have had the puppies by now, or should she have them on another date? I am not sure what day she got pregnant, but if I calculated it right, the last day possible would have been Nov. 5th, which means she should have them today, but she isn't showing any signs. I am so lost!

Hi Britney,

You're right, she should have had her pups by now if she were truly pregnant. My suspicion is that this turned out to be a false pregnancy. Continue to keep an eye on her for a few more days, but I don't realy expect anything to happen. If she does develop any signs of illness or infection, please don't hesitate to take her to your regular vet. They may be willing to accept a post dated check if need be.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Britney

I have a 5 year old female rott, that i mated with my boy Rott. I think that she is pregnant but not for sure. She went into heat around October, and her breasts are swollen but no milk yet, sometimes she looks plump, sometimes not. My boy rott loves to sniff and lick her butt now, so I am not sure if she is pregnant or going into another heat stage. She have become more agressive toward him. Her nipple are large, and she never had a litter before because this is the first time she have been around a male not that is nor neutered. Do a dog go into heat this early after mating in October, or could this be a false pregnant, should I be concerned about her.

Hi Diane,

No, this shouldn't be another heat cycle. It sounds like your dog may be pregnant, and your male's interest in her new smell also contributes to my opinion. I'd recommend that you treat her as though she is pregnant.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Diane

I bred my female 66 days ago..her back to rows of nipples are steadily getting swollen..she is VERY energetic..but about halfway through she has actually started to listen..and loves to be around me waaay more than usual..I can actually let her out and not have to worry about her running up and down the street..she isn't showing much..and I have felt for puppies..any movement but have no detected anything..I don't have the money at this moment to waste on the vet to tell me she isn't pregnant..is there anything I can do myself to see if she is really pregnant?

Hi Bernard,

Just watch her a couple more days. If she doesn't show any sign of stress or illness, then it was probably a false pregnancy.

Thanks!

-- Contributed by: Bernard

how can i tell if my pup is in pups because she is 1 in november and she has a lot of milk please help me

Expert Reply

Hi Jamie-Leigh,

Did your dog have a heat cycle recently? If so, did any male dogs have access to her? If this is the case, she certainly could be pregnant, but it's not a sure thing. She might also be having a false pregnancy that often produces a little milk.

The surest way to figure out if she's pregnant would be to let your vet examine her. He may be able to feel puppies, but he can also perform an ultrasound to be completely sure.

Whatever the outcome, I hope everything goes well. Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: jamie-leigh

Hi Emma,

I think you should take her in to your vet for an exam. It could well be a false pregnancy, but there's also a chance that it could have been a one puppy litter. Sometimes those pregnancies go on a little longer, but the pup could have also died in utero. It's better to find out for sure in case your dog needs some help.

Good luck, and thank you for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog was bred 66 days ago and they got tied she is a peekapoo she has gained a little weight. Her nipples are still small but a little milk is coming out she lay around all the time like she is pregnant do you think this is a false pregnacy

-- Contributed by: emmag
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