Graceful Bailey – 43 days (pre-parturition)

Baily at day 35. Still looking slender!

It is hard to believe that Bailey will be having her puppies in less than 20 days. While her tummy has expanded to 33.5 inches (85 cm), she is not showing any signs of slowing down yet. Bailey is extra sensitive and prefers being close to us rather than with the pack, so her evenings are spent cuddling and getting lots of belly rubs.

Bailey has a ravenous appetite and is being fed three times daily now. As the puppies grow, there is less room in her tummy and it’s also easier for Bailey to digest these smaller meals. She is eating a nutritious balance of home cooked organic foods, premium kibble, supplements and raw vegetables.

 

Embryo at 25 days. Photo by National Geographic.

Pre-natal period: It is an interesting fact that a dog's tactile perception develops before birth, therefore unborn puppies can detect touch when the mother is petted from the outside of the abdomen. This establishes the basis for puppies to tolerate being touched, when compared to puppies born to mothers that were not petted. Pregnant dogs that are exposed to stressful events tend to release hormones that can be detected by the fetuses, which can negatively influence their future development. This underscores the importance of providing pregnant dogs a stress free and tranquil environment.

Bailey's ultrasound at approximately day 35.

At this stage, the puppies’ eyes and spinal cords have begun to develop and the face is also forming. Fetuses are approximately 1.3 cm. This may seem small but they will triple in size in just one week. Between days 29 and 35, their toes, whiskers and claws start to develop. They are now beginning to look like dogs! Interestingly, their eyes are initially open but their eyelids fuse at around day 35 to protect them from contamination during development and remain closed until approximately 10 days after birth. 

Stay tuned …..