Although beagles are a hound breed, they have found their way into our homes with their lovely and amazing characteristics, chief among them is their strong sense of smell. Thus, there is a high demand for beagle puppies hence more people are breeding them.
Most new breeders are concerned with how long the pregnancy takes and what they need to do for their pregnant dogs in this period.
How Long Is A Beagle Pregnant For?
As with other dogs, beagles have a gestation period of between 58 to 68 days with the average number of days being 63. We will look at what to expect and what to do.
How Do I Know My Beagle Is Pregnant?
Veterinarians have 4 methods they use in checking to see if your beagle is pregnant. Let’s delve into them.
Hormone Test: During hormone test, vets look out for relaxin to see if your dog is pregnant. Relaxin is a hormone produced by the ovary and the placenta with important effects in your dog’s reproductive system and during pregnancy.
It is produced only during pregnancy, the sight of which makes a fairly accurate diagnostic test. Your dogs should be more than 30 days into the pregnancy before you take this test, as earlier than this could produce a negative result.
Palpation: One of the most convenient and affordable ways of diagnosing a pregnancy is through the palpation method. The membrane around the fetus grow to form a fluid-filled sacs, as each fetus develops.
From around 21 to 35 days of gestation, these fluid-filled sacs can be felt and can grow to about the size of a tennis ball. However, the sacs lose their shape after a month and the uterus develops a floppy feel that can be mistaken for fat or a pyometra.
X-Ray: Breeders can estimate how many puppies their heifer will produce by using an x-ray. Because the fetal skull and spine are not visible on an x-ray until days 42 through 45 of pregnancy, X-rays are most useful later in the pregnancy.
By delaying until after day 55, veterinarians may accurately estimate the expected number of puppies and choose the ideal time for an elective cesarean section.
Ultrasound: Early in the gestation period, an ultrasound is the greatest tool for determining whether a dog is pregnant. Between days 25 and 35 of pregnancy, veterinarians advise ultrasounds.
By detecting fetal heartbeats, ultrasounds not only reveal whether a pregnancy is present but also whether the fetus is alive. Additionally, ultrasounds can be used to rule out additional uterine distension reasons, such as pyometra, and to determine the gestational age of the fetus.
What Are Stages Of Dog Pregnancy?
Over a period of three months, dogs quickly pass through their pregnancy period. So, what goes into these three months?
1. First Month
Within the first month, around the 7th day, the embryo will move to the uterine horns and get embedded in the uterine lining around the 16th day.
By the 22nd day, the fetus begins to take shape and by the 28th or 39th day, a vet should be able to detect fetal heartbeats on an ultrasound.
Some other signs include increased appetite, decreased physical activities, slightly enlarged nipples, clear vaginal discharge, more affectionate behavior, and “morning sickness”
2. Second Month
The second month is a time of rapid fetal development. By day 32, eyelids begin to form, and by day 35, toes are apparent. By day 40, the claws had developed, and a few days later, the coat and skeleton (day 45).
The number of puppies in the litter will be determined by an x-ray by day 50, and around day 58, the bitch will begin hunting for a spot to nest.
Some other signs include increased appetite, about 20 to 50% gain in weight, increased urination, behavioral changes, clear, odorless vagina discharge, enlarged, firm abdomen, decreased appetite from day 45, and visible puppy movement from day 50.
3. Third Month
By the beginning of the third month, the dog is prepared to give birth. Around day 58, puppy development is nearly complete, which means the puppies will start to shift into whelping position in the birth canal over the next three days.
Other symptoms are that the waist of your dog will trim as the puppies move into the birth canal, your dog will lose appetite from around day 61 or 62, there could be a drop in her body temperature 12 to 24 hours before labor, restless behavior, panting, pacing and shivering.
How Long Will My Beagle Be In Labor?
Labor comes right after gestation period is over and there are three stages to this.
1. First Stage
The first stage lasts for 12 to 24 hours and is frequently not visible to the naked eye. Throughout stage one, the strength and frequency of contractions in the uterine muscle wall increase, but no outward signs of contractions are present.
Instead, some signs you should look out for include change in behavior and disposition, restlessness, reclusive behavior, intermittent nesting, refusal to eat, vomiting, panting and clear vaginal discharge.
2. Second Stage
During stage two, puppies are born. Bitches deliver one puppy at a time during this period, which can last anywhere from one to twenty-four hours.
Given that deliveries typically take place every 30 to 60 minutes and should not last longer than an hour, it is useful to determine how many puppies will be born in total.
Owners can then call a vet if they think their dog may be in trouble and know when the bitch has finished stage two.
3. Third Stage
In stage three, the placenta is delivered. The delivery of all placentas marks the end of stage three, which really occurs around the same time as stage two. This typically happens soon after stage two is complete.
If your dog gives birth throughout a 24-hour period or if there are more than two hours between puppies, you should call your veterinarian. This may indicate a significant issue, and both the life of the bitch and the unborn puppies may be in danger.
How Many Puppies Will My Beagle Have?
You can read a variety of responses and there are many different viewpoints on this. This is due to how much the number might vary. According to the data, there will often be 6 puppies per litter, but there might easily be 1 to 10 puppies.
When a dam has a small litter, her subsequent litter is frequently also small. On the other hand, if she has a huge litter, it is likely that her subsequent litter will also be large. Mother Nature does, however, have the final say on this.
By week 6, the doctor can take an x-ray that will tell you how many puppies to expect; if this is done earlier, nothing will be readily seen because bones are still forming.
Caring For Your Pregnant Beagle
1. Feeding
Feed your pregnant beagle a meal that is high in nutrients, readily digestible, and made of high-quality foods while she is pregnant or nursing (e.g. a puppy diet). Up until about 42 days into the pregnancy, no food increase is necessary.
She will require 30–50% more food than usual after five to six weeks of pregnancy in order to provide her puppies with the nutrients they need. To help her consume the necessary amount of food, give her modest, frequent meals.
The growing pups inside of her will take up considerably more space, which will cause her to feel full more quickly. Supplements won’t be required if you consume high-quality, high-protein foods.
2. Exercise
Continue working out, but try to stay away from anything too demanding, especially during the first month of pregnancy. Don’t let her become overtired by taking her on short walks.
3. Medications
Many canine medications are safe to take during pregnancy, but you should always seek veterinary guidance to make sure the particular medication you have in mind won’t harm the puppies. You can continue giving your b*tch her usual heartworm prevention medicine throughout the pregnancy.
4. Vaccinations
The best time to vaccinate your dog is right before she gets pregnant since this will ensure she has a high level of antibodies to pass on to her babies during nursing. Vaccinations shouldn’t be given to pregnant dogs.
5. Worming
For pregnant females, fenbendazole (Panacur) is an efficient wormer that works against roundworms, hookworms, certain lungworms, and tapeworms.
Combinations of pyrantel and praziquantel may also be acceptable. The dosing schedule will vary depending on the product you’ve chosen.
Always carefully follow the instructions on the pack, and if you have any questions, visit your veterinarian or one of our Animal medicine consultants.
Deworming your bitch is crucial from day 42 of pregnancy until two days after whelping to prevent worm infection from being passed on to the puppies through the placenta and milk.
Puppies need to be treated every two weeks starting at age two weeks till weaning. Always consult a veterinarian to confirm that the right medication is that medication is being delivered to your dog at the appropriate dose and frequency.
What To Do After Your Beagle Gives Birth
Remove the newspaper and place it in a garbage bag after your beagle has given birth to all of the puppies. Place several clean blankets on top.
To keep the infants warm, place a heating pad under the blankets. To give the lovely family a feeling of security and comfort, cover the box with a lid or a light sheet.
From the first day, you must weigh and record the weight of every puppy. Every day, puppies gain weight. As a result, you will need to check to see if each of them is gaining weight each day.
Now the puppies might all have the same appearance. What you can do is check each one of them for distinctive markings and do it in writing. It will be simpler to recognize each puppy as a result.
Avoid These Things During Your Beagle’s Pregnancy
When your beagle is expecting, you might want to avoid doing the following things:
- Avoid doing strenuous exercises like jumping and sprinting while pregnant.
- Never administer vitamins or medications without your veterinarian’s consent.
- Do not continue your flea treatment regimen without your veterinarian’s consent.
- Don’t allow her to go outside unattended. She is capable of ingesting poison.
- Remain calm throughout the procedure.
Immediately Call Your Vet If:
There’s no need to worry if your dog gets pregnant. In reality, close to 90% of dogs give birth in the homes of their owners.
However, if one of the following occurs: the puppy is stuck; the mother has not pushed the next puppy in more than 30 minutes; or the newborn puppy does not acquire weight within a day, you may need to call the veterinarian immediately.
Final Thoughts
Due to their widespread popularity, beagles can be quite pricey. If you are considering breeding your own Beagles for the sole purpose of gaining money, please think twice.
Many owners overbreed their beagles, which can be very harmful to the animals’ physical and emotional well-being.
While you might assume that the length of a Beagle’s pregnancy makes this seem like a perfect method to earn some regular side income, you should give it some more thought.
Please do your homework and make sure you are buying a Beagle puppy from a reputable breeder if you are on the opposite side of the fence and want to do so.
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