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Dog gestation

In this video, dr. Emmanuel Fontaine (DVM, MSc, PhD, Dipl ECAR) will take you through several questions related to dog gestation
Reading time5 - 15 min

What is the best way to confirm gestation in a dog?

There are many techniques to confirm a gestation in dogs. Ultrasonography is the gold standard and can be performed as early as 21 days post-ovulation. It can be also used during the gestation to monitor the embryos vitality. However, X-ray has the advantage of allowing the counting of embryos from around 50 days post-ovulation.

How to feed during gestation and after?

It is important to provide the bitch with a high quality diet as it will impact the development of the embryos and the vitality of the puppies at birth. However, puppy growth is not linear during gestation, so the bitch's energy requirements and diet must be adapted during pregnancy. 

How to monitor during gestation? 

To ensure the gestation is following a normal course, regular visits at the clinic to perform an ultrasonography, blood analysis or weight monitoring are recommended.

 

You may also be interested in watching the following videos:

The cat gestation 

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The importance of nutrition in newborns

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The duration of the growth period

Growth charts in puppies

The microbiome in puppies and kittens

Weaning diarrhea in puppies and kittens 

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