Annie's pregnancy diary 2015
13 May 2015
These girls often like to keep me on my toes where seasons are concerned and Annie is no exception. Her season has started earlier than I expected. I'll be keeping a close eye on her, to decide when to progesterone test in readiness for the mating.
These girls often like to keep me on my toes where seasons are concerned and Annie is no exception. Her season has started earlier than I expected. I'll be keeping a close eye on her, to decide when to progesterone test in readiness for the mating.
21 May 2015
Annie 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.
I also had a blood sample taken, for progesterone testing. The levels are still low so I'll be repeating the test again on Saturday.
Annie 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.
I also had a blood sample taken, for progesterone testing. The levels are still low so I'll be repeating the test again on Saturday.
23 May 2015
Annie's progesterone levels have risen, so I'll be looking at mating her on Monday and probably Wednesday. Fingers crossed she co-operates with Jeffrey.
Annie's progesterone levels have risen, so I'll be looking at mating her on Monday and probably Wednesday. Fingers crossed she co-operates with Jeffrey.
25 May 2015
The deed has been done. Annie and Jeffrey had their first mating today, so hopefully we'll have puppies by the end of July. I'll be taking her back for a 2nd mating on Wednesday.
The deed has been done. Annie and Jeffrey had their first mating today, so hopefully we'll have puppies by the end of July. I'll be taking her back for a 2nd mating on Wednesday.
27 May 2015
Annie and Jeffrey had their second mating today, now it's a case of sitting back and waiting. I'll be getting her scanned at the end of June.
Annie and Jeffrey had their second mating today, now it's a case of sitting back and waiting. I'll be getting her scanned at the end of June.
15 June 2015
Annie's scan is booked for Monday 29 June. She's not showing any physical signs of pregnancy yet, although is a little clingy and tries to sit on my knee more often ( I have a household of lapdogs <grin>)
Annie's scan is booked for Monday 29 June. She's not showing any physical signs of pregnancy yet, although is a little clingy and tries to sit on my knee more often ( I have a household of lapdogs <grin>)
29 June 2015
The day everyone's been waiting for, the day of Annie's scan. The news is that there are definitely puppies on the way, we could see at least 6 quite close together, which generally means there are more tucked away.
The day everyone's been waiting for, the day of Annie's scan. The news is that there are definitely puppies on the way, we could see at least 6 quite close together, which generally means there are more tucked away.
30 June 2015
The weather's been unbearably hot today. Annie will become increasingly uncomfortable in the heat as her pregnancy progresses, so today I've ordered a cool mat for her.
The weather's been unbearably hot today. Annie will become increasingly uncomfortable in the heat as her pregnancy progresses, so today I've ordered a cool mat for her.
06 July 2015
It's surprising how much difference a week can make. Annie is quite noticeably pregnant now. She's filled out and her nipples are enlarged. She's booked in for her second herpes vaccination on 16 July - it will be a bit of family outing as Poppy and Gerie are going for their boosters at the same time, I've warned them at the vets to expect chaos <grin>
It's surprising how much difference a week can make. Annie is quite noticeably pregnant now. She's filled out and her nipples are enlarged. She's booked in for her second herpes vaccination on 16 July - it will be a bit of family outing as Poppy and Gerie are going for their boosters at the same time, I've warned them at the vets to expect chaos <grin>
08 July 2015
Annie - with 3 weeks to go.
Annie - with 3 weeks to go.
Annie's size will increase a lot in these last 3 weeks and by the time the puppies are due she'll probably be resembling a beached whale. I'll be gradually increasing her daily food allowance in the last couple of weeks, probably splitting it between 3 or 4 meals a day rather than the usual 2, as well as gradually changing her over to the food the puppies will be weaned on to, Arden Grange Large Breed puppy/junior. The new patterned puppy ID collars have arrived and will be used along with some of the plain ones I had for Lottie's litter.
16 July 2015
Annie has been for her 2nd herpes vaccination today. I also weighed her, she's put on a massive 8.35kg from her pre-pregnancy weight ( I'd slimmed her down a little prior to mating so she's probably around 6kg more than her usual weight). You can see a difference from the previous photo, taken
8 days before.
Annie has been for her 2nd herpes vaccination today. I also weighed her, she's put on a massive 8.35kg from her pre-pregnancy weight ( I'd slimmed her down a little prior to mating so she's probably around 6kg more than her usual weight). You can see a difference from the previous photo, taken
8 days before.
Last night I cut the 5m roll of vet bed into pieces that would vet the whelping box. Today they pieces are on the line after being washed. The last few preparations will be made in the next few days, including fetching the whelping box in from the garden shed and disinfecting it in readiness for Annie's puppies.
21 July 2015
Annie's belly is as tight as a drum, but today I've been able to see the puppies moving. I hoped to video the movements but as soon as I went anywhere near Annie she sat up.
The whelping box and the puppy pen I'll put around it, are in the house, ready to be disinfected and made ready for use. I'm not expecting Annie to have 16 puppies - heaven forbid! - but the ID collars below give me plenty of choice. The next time you see them, they should be around the puppies' necks.
Annie's belly is as tight as a drum, but today I've been able to see the puppies moving. I hoped to video the movements but as soon as I went anywhere near Annie she sat up.
The whelping box and the puppy pen I'll put around it, are in the house, ready to be disinfected and made ready for use. I'm not expecting Annie to have 16 puppies - heaven forbid! - but the ID collars below give me plenty of choice. The next time you see them, they should be around the puppies' necks.
22 July 2015
Watch this VIDEO to see a very pregnant Annie in the garden this evening.
Watch this VIDEO to see a very pregnant Annie in the garden this evening.
