advice on pregnant dog

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am scared, I just found out that my dog is pregnant and she only has like maybe a week to go.  I need help.  I e-mail you before and was so satisfied on my replies I came back, lol......
I did not know or mean for her to get pregnant and now that she is.  I am scared.  She is a pug and pikneese mix, who is pregnant by a yorkie. I do not know when it happen so I can just estimate.  Please can you e-mail me back and talk to me.

Tammy

ANSWER: Hi Tammy

Your female should have no problem whelping Yorkie pups.  You want to start her on a good quality kibble, supplement her diet with salmon oil and vitamins and ensure she gets plenty of exercise and TLC.

Gestation is typically 63 days, but it does depend on if she was ovulating at the time.  Let's pick October 20th as the date of conception.  That would make her due the week of December 21 - 25th.

I would recommend having a whelping box built.  Nothing really big just something large enough for the female to lay comfortable.  You can also use the bottom of a vari kennel.  Just take the top off and line the sides of the kennel with rolled up towels so that your females doesn't squish any pups.

You want to keep the pups for at least 8 weeks.  

Good luck



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.  Ok, I have read what You have told me.  I just want to clear up that the vet told me that she only has like a week to go.  Her last period was in August.  I have read that I might have to clean the pups, I just want to make absolutely clear that I can touch the pups when they r born and that she will not harm them if i do need to touch and clean them.
when she starts crying or goes into labor what should I do. I am disabled and just would like to know what I am in store for cause if i have to get on the floor me and her will be on there for a while, lol.... it is going to take no time for me to get down on the floor but getting back up is something else so i would need to know what I need so i do not have to get up and down.  Once I am down there with her I can be there for her and have all that I need.  She is at the point now where all she does it just lay there does not really do anything but go out to do her business and eat and drink other then that she just sleeps.  And wow her belly is hanging.  As you can see I am really stressing.  I just want to do what is right and I am promising the world I will find the money to get her fixed.
Tammy

Answer
So she came into season in August and again recently.  That doesn't seem quite right.  

You may have to assist with the whelp and it's fine to touch the pups but make sure you have hand sanitizer ready to use each time you handle a pup.

Each female is different.  Some will harm their pups, especially if it's a first litter, and some will ignore them.

Honestly, let Mother Nature take it's own course.  It's amazing what nature can do own it's own.  And she can be fixed after the pups are weaned, so about 4 months after she whelped but remember she'll come into heat around that time too.

Good luck Tammy!