Dr Seuss Litter
Predicted Whelp Date May 18-19. 2024
Blog (most recent posts on top)
May 16 - Early this morning we took Annie into the vet to get a reverse progesterone test. If it's low enough (under 2) then we will proceed with the scheduled c-section around 11 today. We always get so nervous around this time. So many unknown variables. Both girls are doing well though, even though they are stuffed. No one is showing any signs of "nesting" yet, so it will be interesting to see what the progesterone results are. We also have a scheduled c-section for tomorrow (possibly for Lilibeth). Here is Lilibeth staring at the food ... trying to decide if it's worth the effort lolz.
May 15 - So today, I sacrificed my sirloin steak I was going to cook for myself. Couldn't get Annie and Lilibeth to eat anything so I fried it up for them and then, (of course), cut it into small bites and hand fed them. Sigh. They also were willing to eat a little scrambled eggs. Not willing to pay $14 for every meal lolz, Jeff went to Walmart tonight to get some cheaper beef which they also loved. Insert eye roll.
But they are so stuffed and miserable now, I'm willing to give them whatever they are willing to eat! Here is Lilibeth enjoying some sunshine.
But they are so stuffed and miserable now, I'm willing to give them whatever they are willing to eat! Here is Lilibeth enjoying some sunshine.
May 13 - Radiograph today! Most likely 3 pups.
May 12
May 10
April 27 and she is definitely starting to show. We keep resorting to finding new foods each day to feed her .... one day it was Mutton, another chicken backs, another just Pawtree treats, another she'd only eat lamb hearts. We try to limit certain organ meats now and avoid Liver and other foods like Mackerel that are high in vitamin A. We've been making special cookies and such trying to stimulate her appetite. While Annie loves them (she loves anything really ... pure pug lolz) Lilibeth turns her nose up. So, we try again until we find her favorite. Tonight, we'll try baked chicken with sweet potatoes since she liked that earlier in the week. Who knows, but we'll keep on until we find what strikes her fancy for any given day. Pregnant bitches that are maintained on diets deficient in carbohydrate may develop hypoglycemia in the last two weeks of gestation. This resulted in a significant increase in stillborn puppies and in neonatal death in the first three days of life. Occasionally, bitches have poor appetites throughout pregnancy. During the last half of pregnancy, energy requirements increase, as does the need for protein and carbohydrates. This is usually provided by the increased intake of a feed for growth, pregnancy and lactation. Too rapid alteration of diet may lead to gastrointestinal distress. The amount of food required by a pregnant bitch in later gestation increases in proportion with litter size and growth. A 40 percent average increase in food consumption accompanies the 20-55 percent increase in body weight. Because of increased intra-abdominal pressure from the enlarging uterus, multiple small meals are easier for the bitch to consume.
We are finishing "fancying-up" the nursery today and tomorrow. All during the past 2 months we have been gradually restocking supplies (baby wipes, oral cal, replacing heating pads etc.)
Yesterday, we wormed Lilibeth which will help avoid her passing parasites onto the litter.
Here are some things we will be looking out for on certain dates during the next couple of weeks:
May 1, 2024: On the 45th day of pregnancy coat and skeleton start to form.
May 5, 2024: On the 49th day of pregnancy we will prepare the whelping box.
May 6, 2024: On the 50th day of pregnancy we may spot puppy movement in the belly.
May 7, 2024: Today is the day we will start cooking up batches of liver water to freeze in ice cube trays (which you can use in formula if tube feeding is needed), and mama's pudding etc.
May 13, 2024: Day 57, and approximately 1 week before, we should notice Lilibeth's waist trim as the puppies move into position for bitch canal. This indicates that birth is approximately 7 days away. At this time we will plug in the adaptil diffuser (with calming pheremones) and add the adaptil collar, and we will start taking her temperature several times throughout the day. It's important that she stay hydrated so we will keep the doggie water fountain going with plenty of fresh water.
We are finishing "fancying-up" the nursery today and tomorrow. All during the past 2 months we have been gradually restocking supplies (baby wipes, oral cal, replacing heating pads etc.)
Yesterday, we wormed Lilibeth which will help avoid her passing parasites onto the litter.
Here are some things we will be looking out for on certain dates during the next couple of weeks:
May 1, 2024: On the 45th day of pregnancy coat and skeleton start to form.
May 5, 2024: On the 49th day of pregnancy we will prepare the whelping box.
May 6, 2024: On the 50th day of pregnancy we may spot puppy movement in the belly.
May 7, 2024: Today is the day we will start cooking up batches of liver water to freeze in ice cube trays (which you can use in formula if tube feeding is needed), and mama's pudding etc.
May 13, 2024: Day 57, and approximately 1 week before, we should notice Lilibeth's waist trim as the puppies move into position for bitch canal. This indicates that birth is approximately 7 days away. At this time we will plug in the adaptil diffuser (with calming pheremones) and add the adaptil collar, and we will start taking her temperature several times throughout the day. It's important that she stay hydrated so we will keep the doggie water fountain going with plenty of fresh water.
April 26, 2024: On the 40th day of pregnancy claws take shape.
April 21, 204: On the 35th day of pregnancy toes become visible. We are trying to increase her food. We will gradually decrease her exercise and increase her food intake. The biggest goals until May whelp date concern Lilibeth's diet (which is a challenge because she is very finicky). We make charcuterie boards with at least 5 choices of foods for her to choose from. Sometimes that doesn't even work, so we have to hand feed her (think feeding a baby ... "here comes the choo choo" sigh). We also make sure to keep her separate from any other pugs who will cause stress (or any situation) because significant mental or physical stress on the bitch can cause adrenaline secretion that decreases blood flow to the uterus and placenta resulting in decreased fetal oxygen and can impair development and threaten survival of the pups.
April 18, 2024: On the 32nd day of pregnancy the embryo takes shape with the eyelids taking on a distinctive shape.
April 15, 2024: Lilibeth had an ultrasound at Hope Animal Hospital this morning and the Veterinarian, Dr. Fuller, said that it looked like at least 3-4 puppies!
April 15, 2024: What better day to do an ultrasound than on Tax day? lolz. We will head with both Lilibeth and Annie to Hope Animal Clinic for an ultrasound to see if there are puppies and, if so, if they are doing well.
March 19, 2024: Jeff took Lilibeth to our amazing vet for the AI (using the chilled shipped semen) and, since progesterone levels were so high, it was just the one AI. We are now crossing fingers and toes that it took!
March 18, 2024: Progesterone testing took awhile (so expensive!) but Lilibeth finally decided it was time and her numbers climbed (soared rapidly!) on a Sunday no less. Maverick's co-breeder, despite a tragic loss in the pug world (the sudden and unexpected death of Pam Donaldson of Kendoric Pugs, her best friend and mentor), still managed somehow to collect Maverick and ship the 'goods' from New Hampshire to Alabama. Thank you, Kathie!
March 19, 2024: Jeff took Lilibeth to our amazing vet for the AI (using the chilled shipped semen) and, since progesterone levels were so high, it was just the one AI. We are now crossing fingers and toes that it took!
Pregnancy starts when the dog ovulates which is called the date of whelping. Dog sperm will reach an ovum on day 4 (48-73 hours). For the first 3 weeks or so of pregnancy you may not notice any symptoms. Bitch may become more affectionate, and she may begin to eat more than usual. Her nipples may enlarge slightly. Embryos will move to the uterine horns. Dog embryos embed in the uterus lining.
mes and registered names:
March 19, 2024: Jeff took Lilibeth to our amazing vet for the AI (using the chilled shipped semen) and, since progesterone levels were so high, it was just the one AI. We are now crossing fingers and toes that it took!
March 18, 2024: Progesterone testing took awhile (so expensive!) but Lilibeth finally decided it was time and her numbers climbed (soared rapidly!) on a Sunday no less. Maverick's co-breeder, despite a tragic loss in the pug world (the sudden and unexpected death of Pam Donaldson of Kendoric Pugs, her best friend and mentor), still managed somehow to collect Maverick and ship the 'goods' from New Hampshire to Alabama. Thank you, Kathie!
March 19, 2024: Jeff took Lilibeth to our amazing vet for the AI (using the chilled shipped semen) and, since progesterone levels were so high, it was just the one AI. We are now crossing fingers and toes that it took!
Pregnancy starts when the dog ovulates which is called the date of whelping. Dog sperm will reach an ovum on day 4 (48-73 hours). For the first 3 weeks or so of pregnancy you may not notice any symptoms. Bitch may become more affectionate, and she may begin to eat more than usual. Her nipples may enlarge slightly. Embryos will move to the uterine horns. Dog embryos embed in the uterus lining.
mes and registered names:
Pickwick's Professor de Breeze (Professor)
Pickwick's Perilous Poozer of Pompelmoose Pass (Poozer)
Pickwick's Marco on Mulberry Street (Marco)
Pickwick's McMonkey McBean
Pickwick's Grand Duke Wilfred (Wilfred or Duke)
Pickwick's Little Lola Pop (Lola)
Pickwick's Sally O'Malley (Sally)
Pickwick's Oh the Thinks You Can Think (Kitty O’Sullivan Kraus)
Horton
Little Lola Pop
Lorax
Cindy-Lou Who
King Bertam
King Derwin
Thidwick the Big Hearted Moose
Sam I Am
Yertle the Turtle (Yertle)
Gertrude McFuzz
Morris McGurk
Cat in the Hat
Thing 2
Bartholomew Cubbins
Conrad Cornelius o’Donald o’Dell
Marvin K. Mooney
Mayzie McGrew
Harry Haddow
Mr. Bix
Pickwick's Perilous Poozer of Pompelmoose Pass (Poozer)
Pickwick's Marco on Mulberry Street (Marco)
Pickwick's McMonkey McBean
Pickwick's Grand Duke Wilfred (Wilfred or Duke)
Pickwick's Little Lola Pop (Lola)
Pickwick's Sally O'Malley (Sally)
Pickwick's Oh the Thinks You Can Think (Kitty O’Sullivan Kraus)
Horton
Little Lola Pop
Lorax
Cindy-Lou Who
King Bertam
King Derwin
Thidwick the Big Hearted Moose
Sam I Am
Yertle the Turtle (Yertle)
Gertrude McFuzz
Morris McGurk
Cat in the Hat
Thing 2
Bartholomew Cubbins
Conrad Cornelius o’Donald o’Dell
Marvin K. Mooney
Mayzie McGrew
Harry Haddow
Mr. Bix