We all love our pets. They are an integral part of our family and are steadfast companions in our lives. That is why, when pregnancy occurs, we must be as informed as possible about our pets needs.
With a Chihuahua pregnancy, there are additional risks that you should be aware of in order to make the right decisions in caring for her. In this article, we will go over:
- When a Chihuahua is fertile
- How to tell if a Chihuahua is pregnant
- Gestation period and litter size
- Labor and delivery
- Special risks and needs
When is a Chihuahua Fertile?
Chihuahuas, if they are not spayed, typically come into heat every 5 to 8 months. This period is known as the estrous cycle. Most dog breeds will experience their first cycle aged 6 to 12 months, and even up to 18 months for giant breeds. However, Chihuahuas can come into heat as early as four months or as late as seven months. If your Chihuahua has not had a cycle by 12 months, she should be seen by a vet.
If you plan to breed your Chihuahua, veterinarians recommend that you wait until her third estrous cycle.
A typical cycle will last 15 days to three weeks and can vary from 10 days to a month. Some of the telltale signs that your dog is entering a cycle include:
- Swelling of the vulva
- Vaginal discharge with a pinkish to red color
- Swelling of the teats
- Anxiety or wanting to escape
Her time for conceiving is known as the estrus (not estrous) stage, which typically occurs 5 to 10 days into her cycle, and lasts anywhere from 5 days to three weeks. During the estrus stage, your Chihuahua will have vaginal discharge that is pinkish-red in color, along with swelling of the vulva and the teats.
She will display her availability to mate by raising her tail and arching her back to show her vulva. This is known as flagging. She may also try to get out of the house to seek out a male partner.
Chihuahua Pregnancy
If you suspect your Chihuahua may be pregnant, you should bring her to your veterinarian for an examination and confirmation of pregnancy. If you do not yet have a vet, now is the time to find one you trust.
Is My Chihuahua Pregnant?
Here are some telltale signs that your girl is pregnant:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite and/or vomiting
- Firm belly
- Swollen nipples and emergence of teats
- Increased cleaning and nesting behavior
A pregnant Chihuahua will be expending energy not only for herself but also for her growing offspring. It can make her lethargic and sleepy and reduce her need and desire for exercise. It is essential to notice these signs and accommodate her needs. Activity should be restricted during gestation to ½ hour of mild and gentle exercise per day.
Just like humans, some dogs will experience nausea or a lack of appetite during the first days of gestation. It is not uncommon. However, if her reluctance to eat or her nausea becomes prolonged and severe, take your Chihuahua to the vet. When in doubt, check it out!
Dogs begin to show their pregnancies more quickly than humans, and this is especially true with a Chihuahua pregnancy. If your girl has a firm belly, that’s an indication that you have puppies on the horizon. The belly will begin to swell as soon as two weeks after conception.
When a Chihuahua becomes pregnant, her nipples will harden, and the teats will protrude from a previously recessed position shortly after conception.
A pregnant Chihuahua will increase her grooming. She may also show nesting behavior, which can include ripping up bedding and being more reclusive generally. She may also display protective behaviors around her personal space. This activity will occur around the last week of the pregnancy. This is a good time to help your Chihuahua prepare a whelping box.
Gestation
It is essential to bring your pregnant Chihuahua to the vet throughout gestation. Your Chihuahua will need special care and attention during her pregnancy.
You are probably asking yourself: “how long is a Chihuahua pregnant for?” The Chihuahua pregnancy length is between 58 to 65 days, the standard period being 62-63 days (2 months). As mentioned above, the belly will begin to show signs of pregnancy within 2 to 4 weeks, and x-rays will show gestating puppies around the 6th week (45 days).
Typically, Chihuahua litters will be one to three puppies but can be up to five or six pups in rare instances. X-rays will show the size of your litter so that you can adequately prepare.
A crucial determination your vet will make will be whether your Chihuahua will need a cesarean section. Given that Chihuahuas are the smallest breed, and a puppy’s head is relatively large, it is more common for Chihuahuas to require a c-section.
Labor and Delivery
You will know that labor is imminent when your Chihuahuas temperature drops from a normal 101-102℉ to below 100℉. Take her temperature rectally by inserting a lubricated thermometer about ½ inch into the rectum for 3 minutes.
When the temperature drops below 100℉, it is a sure sign that your Chihuahua will go into labor within 24 hours. She may also be whining and may experience some mild vomiting as well.
If your vet has determined that a cesarean section is required, it is now time to get to the vet. Although it is not necessary for vets to deliver non-cesarean births, it is still highly recommended that a vet handle the delivery.
When a cesarean section is not required, pups can come out in rapid succession, although it can take as much as 2 hours between drops. They may be covered in an amniotic sac, which is a translucent to purplish color.
The mother will clean off and often eat the amniotic sac of each pup. It is normal, and the mother cleaning the puppy helps clear the Newborn’s airways so that they may begin breathing on their own.
If need be, you may help the mother by gently using an infant suction bulb in the pups nose and gently wiping the newborn with a clean, soft towel.
If the amniotic sac is not broken within a few seconds, gently tear the sac open from the chest and over the head. Additionally, the mother may chew off and/or eat the umbilical cord, which is natural. If the mother does not do this, the cord will need to be cut 1 inch from the belly with sterile scissors and tied with sterilized thread if there is bleeding.
After the last pup has dropped, the placenta will follow shortly thereafter. Again, it is normal for the mother to eat the placenta. Allow her to do so.
Chihuahua Pregnancy Risks
These risk factors include all dog breeds. Get to the vet immediately if you see any of the following
- It has been 24 hours since her temp has dropped, and she is vomiting or crying but no pups have come out
- Gestation has gone on beyond 70 days
- A delay of more than 2 hours between puppies dropping
- She has an extreme amount of pain. Some pain is normal, so use your common sense
These risk factors are specific to Chihuahuas, and should also be addressed by a vet immediately.
- She has mated with a larger breed dog. The bigger the size difference, the more significant the risk
- She has become pregnant in her first estrous cycle. Chihuahuas carry enhanced risks if pregnancy occurs when not fully grown
- Water has dropped, and the first pups are not dropping. It may be a sign that C-section is necessary
Conclusion
Chihuahuas have been around as a breed for almost two millennia, and Chihuahua pregnancy and birth are a natural and common occurrence. With the proper knowledge, love, and care, your Chihuahua can have a successful pregnancy and deliver a healthy brood of lovely new pups!