Pug Pregnancy

By Candis Reade

Pug dogs have quite a historical background. They are one of the oldest breeds dating back to 400 BC. According to pug history, they originated in China. They came to America after the Civil War.

Before you make the decision to breed your pug, there are several things that you need to be aware of. Pugs can have problems both during pregnancy and delivery. Short nosed dogs tend to have certain birth defects common to their breed.

By the first of the fifth week, the female will began to show a little.

To determine a probable due date or to set a c section, count back 63 days from when your dog was bred. You will need to discuss dates with the veterinarian you are planning to use. Some vets like to schedule a planned surgery at 60 days. Sometime in pugs gestation can be shorter. As you approach your due date, watch your dog closely.

First signs of labor

The first signs of labor in a dog that is close to whelping are almost always obvious. They will become restless. In the second stage they will scratch at their beds, and bite at any piece of cloth at hand. In the third stage they will began to pant. Panting will increase in intensity until they began the last stage of pushing their puppies up the birth canal.

This is now the critical time of pug pregnancy for the breeder. Do not leave the dog for the rest of the whelping time.

The short nose prevents the female from getting the puppy out of the sac of fluid that it is born in. That water bag must be broken immediately or the puppy will suffocate in a very short time. Once you have the puppy in your hands, turn it upside down and clear the fluid from it nose by patting it on the back.

Have your whelping bed ready by having a heating pad covered with baby blankets. Puppies must be rubbed dry and kept very warm until they are a few days old.

Pugs are not always careful mothers, and they must be watched to make sure they do not get on a puppy.

Do I need a c-section

A large litter of eight or nine puppies is not uncommon in pug pregnancy. Labor can last for hours causing the female to become extremely weak and lethargic. When this happens, the female becomes too tired to push the puppies out of the birth canal. Feel for unborn puppies by running your hand down the dogs belly and sides. If it has been over an hour since the last pup was born, and the dog is lying still without pushing, it is time to call a veterinarian.

Feeding during pregnancy

A pregnant pug should be fed a good quality puppy food with good protein content. As a supplement to puppy food, alternate daily between a boiled egg and one half cup of cottage cheese for about two weeks before the puppies are born. Give the pregnant dog a good vitamin.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Pug Pregnancy, please visit PUG LOVING for current articles and discussions.