How many puppies can a dog have in one gestation? The number of puppies is in function to the dog’s breed and the female. Large breeds can have up to 13 or 14 puppies. Mediums sized dogs can have up to 5 puppies per litter.
How long does a dog gestation last? It lasts from 56 to 60 days.

How do we know if a female is pregnant? You can have a vet examine the dog. An ultrasound scan can be performed starting on day 21 and an x-ray on day 45; this is when the puppy’s skeletons will be visible.
Can a female have puppies of different parents in the same litter? Yes, when the female mates and her heat is not interrupted. It usually ends at the end of the cycle. Therefore, the female can be mounted again by another male and have puppies from two different parents at the same time.
Can an abortion be performed? Yes, but it is precise to give the dog a shot during the first 10 days after mating. There is no method that allows us to see if the dog is pregnant before day 21. So there is a chance that we are giving the dog a shot for nothing.
Does abortion lead to any risks? Abortion can lead to a uterine infection, where pus appears on the female’s vulva.

Female Dog Labor

How do we know the exact day for labor? It is difficult to determine the exact date, unless mating was provoked. On the day of labor the female seems anxious, breathless and wants to hide.
How do we have to take care of labor? It is precise to leave the dog alone, after preparing a box with covers.
How long does labor last? From the first puppy until the last one an interval of about 36 hours must pass. Only an x-ray will allow us to know if there are any remaining fetuses.
What must we do in the case of any problems? Call the vet, but DO NOT pull the puppy out.
The umbilical cord must be cut?It is preferable, since some females can hurt the puppies if they pull the cord too hard.

Breast Feeding a Puppy

What must we do if the female does not have any milk?
It is precise to feed the puppies with special dog milk and baby bottle.
What is the milk rise? It is a problem that happens about 2 months after heat. The female’s teats are swollen and milk comes out when they are pressed, even though the female is not pregnant. Her behavior is that of a mother’s. She picks up toys, it spoils them and moans. The origin of this phenomenon is hormonal. A specific hormonal treatment must be used.
How do we prevent this? With the extirpation of the ovaries or a hormonal injection to prevent the dog from being in heat, this problem can be prevented; which is not dangerous for the female.

Dog Health

Are mammary tumors carcinogenic? Not always, it is difficult to know by just feeling them. The only way to see if they are is to remove and analyze them.
What must be done in the presence of cancer?
It is precise to take an x-ray of the dog’s lungs to make sure that no metastasis exists; if it does we must perform chemotherapy on the dog.
Should mammary tumors always be operated? It is preferable.
Is the flow of fluids from the vulva normal?
Yes, if they are clear and not abundant. If the color and consistence are modified, it is usually a sign of a uterine infection. The fluids become thick and the female is really thirsty. It is usually necessary to remove the uterus.
Is it normal if a dog licks his/her genital organs? Yes, but it is also normal to tell it not to do that. Since dog’s must not lick their genitals continuously.
What must be done if when a dog gets excited alone or with someone’s leg? We must prohibit the animal from doing this, from the moment it starts.
Are there prostate tumors in dogs? Yes, but these are not operated on. The anatomic situation of the prostate in the dog is very complicated and the ways to access it during a surgical procedure are difficult.
Are testicular tumors frequent? Old dogs are usually the victims of these tumors. One of the 2 testicles gets swollen and hurts. The dog walks all hunched over and his posterior extremities are tense. Castration will be necessary in this case.
It is precise to operate if his testicles haven’t descended?
Yes, in this case the testicles can be located under the skin or the abdomen. In this case, if they suffer from cancer no one will see them. The risks of metastasis are very high. This is why it is preferable to remove the hidden testicles, but it is not completely necessary to castrate the animal.
Can the dog have sexual infections? Yes, these are manifested by non-clear fluids on the penis. It will be necessary to administer antibiotics to the dog. The Man and the Dog