The average dog pregnancy lasts around 63 days. During the first five weeks, you may not see much different about your pooch. After the five-week mark, however, you'll notice changes in Maisie. She'll gain weight, her mammary glands will grow, and she'll begin to leak milk as she nears delivery.
Lactation
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Maisie's first month of pregnancy might have seemed pretty uneventful. If she's like most dogs, she experienced a bit of weight gain, and perhaps a little morning sickness. Otherwise, it might be business as usual for her. Things begin to change quickly for the pregnant dog around the fifth week of pregnancy. Her nipples begin to enlarge and darken, though they aren't expressing milk quite yet. Normally a dog will begin producing milk about a day or two before she delivers, though some dogs begin leaking milk as much as seven to nine days before the big day. Occasionally an unspayed dog will produce milk though she's not pregnant. Female dogs who go into heat without mating will often display symptoms of false pregnancy; other symptoms include lethargy, fluid retention and vomiting. Symptoms typically disappear after two or three weeks, but if you're concerned, contact your vet.
By Betty Lewis
References
Claws and Paws Veterinary Hospital: Gestation in Dogs
WebMD: Pregnancy Symptoms in Dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals: False Pregnancy or Pseudopregnancy in Dogs
About the Author
Betty Lewis has been writing professionally since 2000, specializing in animal care and issues, business analysis and homeland security. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University as well as master's degrees from Old Dominion University and Tulane University.