Signs Of A Pregnant Dachshund

Dachshunds are intelligent, loyal dogs who love to please their owners and are full of personality. When they become pregnant, their figure will become quite full as well. If you're wondering whether your dachshund is pregnant, there are several indications for which you can look to let you know that a litter of puppies is sure to be coming soon.

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Perhaps it's their bold personality and cheerful disposition that make this breed so popular in the dog world and provide incentive to breed a dachshund, or maybe your petite pup had an unplanned amorous adventure. Either way, learn the signs that your doxie will display when she is in the family way.

About two weeks after your dachshund has conceived, your dachshund nipples will likely become enlarged. A dachshund who is not pregnant is typically flat on her chest and abdomen and has small nipples.

An expecting doxie will start to develop swelling around the nipple area in preparation for the process of milk production. In addition, you may also notice milk occasionally dripping from the nipples, especially during her last week of pregnancy.

Dachshunds who are pregnant are likely to eat less in the beginning stages of their pregnancy. This is probably due to hormones creating a queasy stomach, leading to morning sickness. As she progresses into the later stages of pregnancy, her appetite should increase and should be met with high-quality food rich in protein. Choose a food that is specifically formulated for pregnant and nursing dogs. Your vet may also recommend prenatal supplements.

Dachshunds aren't typically the type of dog who wants to go jogging or compete in agility trials to begin with. Add pregnancy to the mix and you have a dachshund who barely wants to get off the couch. Dachshunds are generally exhausted in the early stages of pregnancy due to changes in their hormonal levels that help with embryo production.

As your dachshund's pregnancy progresses, her stomach will become distended due to the puppies that are growing inside. You'll start to notice this happening around halfway into her pregnancy around day 35. The growth of her abdomen depends on the size and number of the puppies.

Sometimes, a doxie will exhibit false pregnancy symptoms including swollen nipples, morning sickness, and weight gain after being bred, but she is not actually pregnant. To be sure that her distended stomach is due to pregnancy and not another medical condition, such as false pregnancy or bloat, take her to the veterinarian for an examination.

In preparation for the birth of her puppies, a pregnant dachshund will begin to nest within days of the birth of her puppies. What this means is that she will look for a safe area where she can feel comfortable going into labor. Help her by setting up a cozy area and whelping box that is away from any heavy foot traffic in your home, lined with soft blankets for her and the pups. A size of around 28 by 36 inches works best for this petite breed.

If you are suspicious that your doxie is expecting, take her to the veterinarian for a physical to ensure that she is healthy enough to carry the puppies. The average dachshund pregnancy lasts around 63 days. A veterinarian may be able to diagnose a pregnancy by simply palpating the stomach at around 20 to 30 days into the pregnancy. In addition, ultrasounds, radiographs, and blood tests can be performed to definitively diagnose a pregnancy around the same time.

It's important to have a veterinarian care for your pregnant doxie because miniature dachshunds are only around 11 pounds in size, while their slightly larger counterparts are around 16 to 32 pounds. This small stature means that it could be likely that your dachshund will need a cesarean section when she goes into labor, especially if she has mated with a larger dog.