When do i worm a pregnant dog

Our vets and nurses are always really happy to help so please call us or come to the clinic to chat about your dogs pregnancy. Here is a list of points that you need to consider. From day 42 of pregnancy the puppies start to develop very quickly and the mum will need to start eating puppy food as it has more energy and protein for her. Give her smaller meals a day as her puppies can press on her stomach and make it hard for her to eat a big meal!

Before your dog gets pregnant it its really important to make sure she is up to date on her annual vaccines. When the puppies are born they get protection from their mum from her milk, which will only happen if she is fully protected.

Puppies can get herpes virus from their mums so it is important to get her vaccinated while she is pregnant to stop them from getting infected at birth. When bitches are pregnant they need to be given a wormer called Fenbendazole every day from day 40 of pregnancy until 2 days after the puppies are born.

This is to stop the puppies getting worms from their mum when they are born. Dogs still need exercise during pregnancy but it is important to not over-exercise them. Make a whelping box for your dog and put it in a quiet area of the house where you can place a nest big enough for mum and puppies.

A large box lined with puppy pads for accidents! Dogs are affected by four worm types in New Zealand— roundworms , hookworms , whipworms and tapeworms.

Roundworms are a problem mainly in young animals. Ninety percent of pups are born with roundworm infestations acquired from their mother during pregnancy.

The worms are greyish white in colour and have round bodies resembling an earthworm. Although much smaller, hookworms can have a serious effect on a dogs health as they suck blood from the lining of the intestine. If you notice any of the following signs during labour, it's important to seek veterinary attention:. Mastitis : infection of the mammary gland. Signs of mastitis include a swollen, hot, firm and painful teat. One or more teats may be affected, and you should not allow pups to feed from any infected glands as they may become sick.

Pyometra or Metritis : an infected uterus or inflamed uterine lining, often caused by retained foetal membranes. Pyometra is a medical emergency and usually requires a hysterectomy spay.

Signs to watch out for include inappetence, fever, vomiting, or odourous vulval discharge. Hypocalcaemia : also known as 'milk fever'. This can occur during pregnancy or lactation due to calcium lost from milk production. It is more common in small breed dogs nursing large litters. Signs of hypocalcaemia may include muscle tremors, hyperexcitation, panting, weakness, vomiting, or seizures.

Hypocalcaemia requires calcium substitution via an IV drip. Low calcium can usually be avoided by feeding a high quality puppy food, however you may wish to provide extra puppy milk mixed in with your bitch's food.

Agalactica : a lack of milk production. If your dog isn't producing any milk, you may notice excessive crying from the pups and sunken bellies rather than nice plump little abdomens. Pups will quickly become hypoglycaemic without milk for evey just a few hours, so ensure supplementation with a puppy milk formula is provided immediately.

A lack of milk production can indicate that your girl is debilitated or malnourished, so seek veterinary attention immediately if this is the case. Poor Mothering : Not all dogs will take to motherhood as naturally as others. Some dogs may not show diligent mothering to their pups and may not ensure all pups are getting fed. Keep a close eye on feeding as you may need to take over and feed them if this is the case. Unfortunately, poor mothers tend not to develop a mothering instinct as they grow, so it is not ideal to breed from them again.

Premium, vet-recommended Adult Dog food prior to 6 weeks of gestation. Puppy food is required after 6 weeks. Premium Adult Dry Dog Food. Your girl will need top quality nutrition to ensure she's in peak condition prior to falling pregnant. From Hills to Instinctive Bite, click the image above to view our top recommended adult diets.

Premium Adult Wet Dog Food. Keep your girl eating well with some premium wet food in addition to premium dry food. Wet food can help keep your dog hydrated, and it also adds variety. Click the image above to view our top recommendations for adult wet food. Broad Coverage Dog Wormers. Ensure your dog's worming is completely up to date to reduce the risk of parasites.

Any parasite can reduce your dog's immunity and overall health. Dog Dental Health. It may seem strange, but any form of dental disease can affect reproductive health. Good oral health can help increase your dog's chance of falling pregnant and carrying a successful pregnancy to term.

Premium, vet-recommended Puppy food from 6 weeks onwards. A high quality Milk Replacer if your vet recommends it for calcium supplementation. Premium Puppy Dry Dog Food. Puppy food is important during pregnancy as it contains optimal levels of calcium and nutrients to support growing foetuses. Click through the link to view a range of recommended premium puppy diets for pregnant dogs. Premium Puppy Wet Dog Food. Wet puppy food will help add some variety to your pregnant girl's diet and keep her eating well.

Be sure to alternate between a variety of flavours to allow her growing pups exposure to different meat proteins. Broad Spectrum Wormers. Your dog should be wormed as normal and then again 10 days prior to mating. We recommend a broad spectrum wormer such as Drontal. Puppy Milk Formula. Your dog should receive all the calcium they need from a balanced puppy food, however if your vet recommends it, a puppy milk formula may be indicated to help maintain calcium levels.

Premium, vet-recommended Puppy food - both Mama dog and pups can eat the same food once the little ones are old enough! A high quality Milk Replacer - keep some on hand in case the puppies need it due to low milk yield.

Premium Puppy Food. Puppy food is balanced for mum and her pups, who will start eating solid food at around 4 weeks of age. Click through the link to view a range of our top recommended premium puppy diets for mum and bubs. Fresh Water. Having plenty of fresh water nearby is important to ensure your lactating dog maintains hydration.

But this does mean there are some tricky decisions to make. Which sort of paints the picture. So make sure your keep your dog as healthy as possible during her pregnancy. This means she will be in peak condition for the rigours of whelping pups can be demanding little buggers. Dog My Dog Is Pregnant. Do I Worm and Flea Her? Trent Webb.