Gertie's pregnancy diary 2015/2016
30 Nov 2015
Gertie's season has started, a little earlier than I had hoped for but I have decided to mate her this time.
Gertie's season has started, a little earlier than I had hoped for but I have decided to mate her this time.
04 Nov 2015
Gertie's 1st progesterone test is booked for Wednesday 9 Dec
Gertie's 1st progesterone test is booked for Wednesday 9 Dec
09 Nov 2015
Gertie's progesterone levels are still on the low side, indicating that she hasn't ovulated yet. I'll be re-testing her on Friday.
Gertie's progesterone levels are still on the low side, indicating that she hasn't ovulated yet. I'll be re-testing her on Friday.
11 Nov 2015
Today Gertie's progesterone levels have risen to a level that shows she's ovulated, so this evening we made the trip across the Pennines, to Odda, the stud dog. An easy mating with a 17 minute tie which, hopefully, will result in a litter with a due date of 13 Feb 2016.
Today Gertie's progesterone levels have risen to a level that shows she's ovulated, so this evening we made the trip across the Pennines, to Odda, the stud dog. An easy mating with a 17 minute tie which, hopefully, will result in a litter with a due date of 13 Feb 2016.
13 Nov 2015
A second mating today with a 13 minute tie. Now all there is to do is sit back and wait. I'll be getting Gertie scanned at around day 33, to confirm whether or not there are puppies on the way.
A second mating today with a 13 minute tie. Now all there is to do is sit back and wait. I'll be getting Gertie scanned at around day 33, to confirm whether or not there are puppies on the way.
21 Dec 2015
Gertie has had her first Herpes vaccination today. It's something I now have done, as a matter of course, with each pregnancy I plan. The Herpes virus is thought to be present in between one third and half of the dog population. If a bitch has a flare-up it can cause her to re-absorb the litter or for the litter to die soon after birth. The vaccine has to be given with each pregnancy, the first injection early on and can be given even before mating, the second one between 1-2 weeks before the due date.
Gertie has had her first Herpes vaccination today. It's something I now have done, as a matter of course, with each pregnancy I plan. The Herpes virus is thought to be present in between one third and half of the dog population. If a bitch has a flare-up it can cause her to re-absorb the litter or for the litter to die soon after birth. The vaccine has to be given with each pregnancy, the first injection early on and can be given even before mating, the second one between 1-2 weeks before the due date.
04 Jan 2016
Gertie's scan is booked for Tuesday 12 January. Fingers crossed it shows there are puppies on the way.
Gertie's scan is booked for Tuesday 12 January. Fingers crossed it shows there are puppies on the way.
12 Jan 2016
Gertie's had her scan this morning and there are definitely puppies on the way. Below is a photo showing 2 of them.
21 Jan 2016
Gertie's almost 6 weeks from the first mating. There's a quite noticeable thickening of her waist when she's standing and the photo shows her with the beginning of a beached whale impression when she's laying down.
03 Feb 2016
Gertie's been for her 2nd Herpes vaccination today. The vet was happy with her progress and how well she looked. The picture below was taken after we came home and you can see how much she's expanded since the earlier photo.
10 Feb 2016
Gertie was doing a lot of panting and digging yesterday and it seemed likely the puppies' birth was imminent. The first puppy was born at 4.25am and the last one at 12.30pm. Gertie is already caring for the pups like a pro. You'll be able to watch their development during the next 8 weeks until they leave for their new homes by looking HERE
Gertie was doing a lot of panting and digging yesterday and it seemed likely the puppies' birth was imminent. The first puppy was born at 4.25am and the last one at 12.30pm. Gertie is already caring for the pups like a pro. You'll be able to watch their development during the next 8 weeks until they leave for their new homes by looking HERE
