The last trimester of pregnancy

The bitch should no longer play rough games or jump with other dogs. X-rays can be used to determine the number and size of the puppies. The bitch should only be x-rayed if pregnancy problems arise or if at this point you are still unsure if she will actually have puppies. (e.g. suspected monofertility), the X-ray represents an unnecessary burden. From the 7th week, take the bitch’s rectal temperature once a day and note these values.

The last blustery days didn’t help Jade enjoy going for walks. She now walks a little slower and now has more of the pace of mum when going for a walk.
two pictures of our now visibly pregnant lady


The floor is covered with vinyl carpet, the puppy box is set up and Jade is already looking forward to trying it out;
her favorite toy at the moment – a ball – must not be missing.

The bones improve. The puppies can now easily be felt under the abdominal wall, but are still difficult to count. The hair on the bitch’s belly is falling out.

Feed several smaller meals a day as the tummy is tight. The movement of the puppies in the womb is easily recognizable by gently placing the palm of your hand on the bitch’s stomach. She has to be completely relaxed to do this.
Jade now gets her food divided into three meals and quickly noticed that there is more food now. She doesn’t say no to that.
First trial ascent in the still empty puppy run. But she thought everything was fine.

We feel taken back to the days when our children were little babies and many a night had many interruptions.
Jade thinks he has to go out a lot at night at the moment.
At first she was satisfied with the garden; now she would like to go to the park for a short time so that she doesn’t have to do her business in the garden.
Chest circumference: 83,0 cm
Waist circumference: 78,5 cm
Weight:28,8KG

the countdown is now starting

The bitch may lose her appetite when the time of delivery approaches.

Jade has decided that long walks are no longer an option.
Our morning walk of about 3/4 hour is therefore cancelled.
But our “fat” still has to move, so it only goes out 2 minutes in the morning. Jumping into the car became too difficult for her, so that a ramp (- which she almost categorically rejected before –) is now a welcome boarding aid.
She almost made a decision this afternoon. She had suddenly disappeared into the guest room on the second floor. I heard them crowding downstairs. A walk upstairs, under the four-poster bed (lower free height approx. 40 cm), she lay completely relaxed, sniffed everything and probably thought this would be a suitable place, mistress, wasn’t it???
Only the ringing of the doorbell could persuade her to come out again. – Let’s see what else she discovers as a possible nesting place.
I’ll probably spend the next few nights on the coach, firstly so that Jade doesn’t have to walk up and down the stairs so often and secondly so that only one of her nocturnal “walks” or “I have to go” will wake me up.
In the meantime it’s rumbling in her stomach, you can feel the movements – a nice feeling – .

Jade loves the cool at the moment
– in the belly the babies seem to radiate heat -.

Our little “fat” has gained a little more than 1 kilo, but this is normal in the last 10 days of pregnancy. The babies in her belly probably cause a lot of heat. So Jade is either right in front of the front door – where a cold draft comes from below – or she lies on the terrace for a moment to cool off and comes back in after a short time.
She herself is doing well, her gait is more like that of a waddling duck, but this is due to her condition.
a little video:
Jade inspects the outside of the puppy enclosure.
Her belly is now so big that she
can’t even turn around at the narrow point.
But everything seems to be fine with her.

Chest circumference: 86,0 cm
Waist circumference: 78,5 cm
Weight:29,9KG

The bitch becomes restless and begins exhibiting ‘nest building’ behavior.

Now measure the bitch’s temperature in the morning and evening. The normal temperature varies between 37.5 and 39.4 degrees Celsius, depending on the dog’s breed and age. Precisely because of the large range of fluctuation, it is important to know the normal body temperature (measurements in the 7th week). If the temperature drops about 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, the puppies will be born within the next 6-24 hours.
Jade’s temperature has dropped 1.2 degrees; i.e. now the babies will come soon. The night is an alternation between walking into the box, into the basket, into the whelping box, onto our sofa. Jade pants a lot and seeks my closeness very intensely. During the day she is calmer and more relaxed again, there are still labor pains or the like in sight, and no “nest building” is done during the day either

The dog may appear unhappy, restless, pacing, and obviously uncomfortable. It may be that white vaginal fluid is secreted.
The night was short or non-existent for everyone. Jade’s actions are similar to Wednesday’s, except that nest building is now added.
The amniotic sac bursts at 4.40 in the morning, now it’s move by move.
At 5.35 the first puppy comes, at 11.30 puppy number 8 is born.
It should only be 7, so we make an appointment with the vet for a control and a first check of the puppies.
At 1:15 p.m. we have a more or less big surprise effect, because the X-ray still shows two puppies.
So it goes back home with the help of a syringe to intensify contractions. At 2.00 p.m. and 2.25 p.m. both puppies were born healthy. The D-litter El Fuego is now complete.
From now on everything under D-litter

The predicted date of birth. Many bitches whelp between the 58th and 63rd day. Some also take up to the 66th day. Watch your dog very closely, especially if she is late. Foul-smelling, dark discharge is a warning sign to seek immediate veterinary care. A veterinarian must be consulted by the 66th day at the latest. There could be birth problems such as oversized or dead puppies. Then only quick action can save the lives of mother and puppies.

The bitch gives you a lot more time to take care of your own body. The teats continue to swell. The bitch becomes restless and looks for a suitable place to throw. Make sure she finds the space to throw as comfortable as possible. Depending on the breed, small towels or washcloths can be placed on the base of the whelping box to give the bitch material for her “nest building”.

Clean abdomen and pubic area with warm water. Trim the hair around the teats for easier access for the puppies.