Chihuahuas, Silky terrier
Have your bitches ever experienced any type of "morning sickness" or changed eating habits?
I haven't seen any change in eating habits other than they eat more, but all my bitches experience morning sickness in the third and fourth week of pregnancy. I use this as an indication that the breeding took.
If so, what would they eat or how did you get them to eat?
N/A
Did you track weight gain in your bitches?
No
Did this show any type of corolation with number of puppies?
I have had the same bitch look small and have a larger litter than the times she looked large. A lot of this has to do with amniotic fluid amounts as well as the varying size of the placenta. Why such thing vary is beyond me. I know they weigh and size human placentas for research.
Did you bitches have a temp drop prior to whelping?
Not always
If so what type of drop or change?
as low as 97 degrees, with an average of 98-99. This is not an accurate indication of whelping as it can drop days prior(as much as a week)
Did you notice a body change prior to whelping and how?
Belly drops and give a "less" pregnant look exactly one week prior to giving birth. It goes from a tight round belly to a loose hanging belly.
What "symptoms" did you see prior to whelping? ie. shivering, digging, failure to eat and at what time?
These vary. I've had bitches deliver puppies while eating at the food bowl. All the above are symptoms of impending delivery, but the most prevalent is the bitch not wanting to go out to do her business.
What was your weirdest incident in a bitches pregnancy or whelping?
This has happened several times--delivery of one puppy, stopping labor, waiting a week, and delivering the rest. My vet says this is normal. He use to raise dogs and said this has happened to him also.
any other interesting fact or thing that you have noticed..
A one puppy litter sometimes does not activate the milk glands to produce milk.