Pregnancy Timeline

-This will give you an idea of how your puppy is growing each week before his/her birth.

Week One

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Fertilization occurs
+ 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
+ The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in
development

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Possible morning sickness
+ Possible personality changes

Week Two (Days 8-14)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of
week
+ Embryo enters the uterus

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Possible morning sickness


Week Three (Days 15-21)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Day 19 -- Implantation of embryos in uterus

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ See above

Week Four (Days 22-28)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Development of eyes and spinal cords
+ Faces take shape
+ Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
+ Organogenesis begins-- Embryos are at their most susceptible
to defects
+ Days 26 - 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for
the puppies)

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Possible clear vaginal discharge
+ Mammary development begins


Week Five (Days 29-35)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
+ Fetuses look like dogs
+ Gender can be determined
+ Eyes (previously open) now close
+ Fetuses grow from 18 mm - 30 mm
+ Organogenesis ends -- embryos are fairly resistant to
interference with development

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Swelling becomes noticeable
+ Loss of "tuck-up"
+ Weight will start to increase

Week Six (Days 36-42)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Development of skin pigment
+ Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
+ Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Nipples darken and enlarge
+ Abdomen continues to enlarge


Week Seven (Days 43-49)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Growth and development continues

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Abdomen hair will start shedding
+ The bitch will start to look pregnant at this point

Week Eight (Days 50-57)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Fetal movement can be detected when bitch is at rest
+ Puppies can safely be born from now on

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Milk may be squeezed from nipples
+ The bitch will be very large.

Week Nine (Days 58-65)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Growth and Development continues

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

+ Nesting behavior may be seen
+ Bitch may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting
uncomfortable)
+ Temperature should be around 100.2-100.8 degrees Farenheit
+ When temperature drops to around 98-99.4 degrees Farenheit,
puppies should be born within 24 hours
+ Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches