Dogs gestation period - Page 1

A couple of years ago when I talked with a vet, I was astonished. He said, a matter of fact way,  that the gestation period, estimating date of whelping, for dogs is a function of date of fertilization.

From all the I read, he is wrong. How can a vet be wrong in something so basic?

The gestation period is more strongly correlated with the date of ovulation, not fertilization. It is 62-64 from ovulation irrespective of date of actual fertilization,  also just the same 64-66 days from the date of LH surge. The pups development adjusts for this.

I only had one one-hour- result progesterone test, read 24. I had my girl mated three hours later, March 1.

Some suggest that 15 is the best to start mating. So I thought I was a day later than ideal but it did not justify giving up on this season.

Later, I read that some (also the vet at the place I had the P-test) suggest that 15-25 is the ideal range to start mating, so I started to think that I was not one day later than ideal.

Some suggest earlier mating, at 10.

From what I read, 24 likely represents day 3-4 after ovulation, I think 4.

So my pups could be due as early as day 58 after mating, meaning this weekend.

There are not many articles that state the ideal P-level for mating; most refer to number of days after the reading reaches 5.

Any opinion?

did she take?

Tonite I am taking her to the vet to have a x-ray to count the number of pups.

She is definitely pregnant, but not like a football. She gained only 11-12 pounds. from 67-68 to 79-80 pounds. I have not been feeding her excessively so she is not just getting fat.

She is large and have a very deep and roomy body, so 5-7 pups is still possible. I am anxious and fear a small litter of 4 or fewer that may call for c-section.

Comforting to me is that I heard that each GSD fetus at birth is only about 1.5 pounds, afterbirth and all.

So an 11 pound gain can still be 5 or more pups.

I I have not been feeding her excessively, and most of the weight gain is in fetus, not body fat, then it will be OK.

I will find out tonite.

why do you think you need a C section on a small litter?

 i have had all my litters come between 58 and 60 days. when your vet told you his time frame he believed it. a vet i used to take my dogs to also told me the same thing. i changed vets only to find out that brian also says 62 to 64b days. iwe had a discussion on this and over the past few years i have proven to him that my timetable is right.

Ovulation vs fertilization can differ by about 2-3 days.

An egg can be fertilized 2-4 or 2-5 days after ovulation.

A very small litter may produce a pup that is too large and also does not produce enough hormone that initiates labor.

Have you been taking her temperature? I take my bitches temp 2x a day starting a week out from expected due date. Try taking it at the same time every day. I found a form online and printed it out and use it. When you see a significant drop in the temp, you will have puppies within 24hrs. If you want to increase the temp taking to 3x a day that is fine.