There are many subtle indicators that can indicate that your female Boxer is pregnant, whether you’re intentionally breeding her or she had an unexpected fling.
Pregnancy symptoms in Boxers aren’t readily apparent. Within the first two to three weeks, you’ll be able to tell by the bodily changes you’ve noticed.
How to Tell if My Boxer is Pregnant
Consider the following signs if you have any doubts:
- Her nipples will swell and new nipples will emerge as she ages.
- Even if your dog isn’t overweight, she’ll develop a bulge on her stomach pretty rapidly. “Is her stomach a little rounded out?” you’ll wonder, and then you’ll know within a few days.
- There is a possibility that she will begin to assert her authority in the house, both over other dogs and over her owners.
- There is a possibility that she is moody; she may prefer to be alone and relax rather than play, for example.
- Week 3 may bring on an increase in appetite after first being suppressed.
How Can I Confirm My Boxer is Pregnant?
During the first two weeks, there are usually no visible indications. By the third week, a woman may begin to experience symptoms.
As a result, it won’t be until week 3 that a veterinarian can confirm pregnancy. There are a variety of ways to conduct a test.
Learn about Boxer Dog Health Issues and Problems prior to breeding.
You can get an early answer with a blood test, which is accurate as early as day 22.
Ultrasound: This can be accurate as early as day 28 and is not normally done if a blood test was conclusive unless the veterinarian feels there may be a problem with the animal.
Palpation is the term used to describe the act of a veterinarian feeling the abdomen with his or her hands. By the 28th day, a skilled veterinarian should be able to tell.
Because the bones of the fetuses haven’t calcified enough by day 42, X-rays will be inconclusive until this point. These are often taken a week or so before the predicted due date to determine the number of puppies.
How Long is a Boxer Pregnant?
Although the Merck Veterinary Manual states that “predicting the timing of a delivery might be problematic because breeding dates do not usually match the date of conception,” dogs are pregnant for 62-64 days, or roughly two months. Breed and litter size can also affect the length of pregnancy.
Is There Any Special Care Needed for A Pregnant Boxer?
The short answer to this is yes, lots of special care will be needed. Your Boxer will require extra attention from the moment you realize she is pregnant until a few weeks after the puppies are born.
The most evident indicator, and the one you must attend to, is an increase in her appetite. This is typically noticeable after week three of the pregnancy. It’s common for a Boxer in this state to consume three times what she normally eats. Avoid bloat by sprinkling her meals throughout the day (three to five times a day) in the last three weeks of her pregnancy.
Thirty percent of the optimal weight gain for a Boxer dog during pregnancy is recommended.
Don’t supplement her calcium intake. Eclampsia (a reduction in blood calcium levels that can be fatal in nursing mothers) has been linked to this, as well as difficult births, deposits of calcium in soft tissue, and various joint deformities in the puppies.
No extra vitamins A or D should be given to her. These can cause puppies to be born with birth abnormalities if they are consumed in excess.
Even a minor amount of discharge should be reported to the veterinarian. It could be an indication of a life-threatening infection, such as pyometra, if left untreated.
If your Boxer’s stomach doesn’t appear to be excessively large, don’t be alarmed. The tummy of a huge Boxer with a tiny litter will not be that droopy.
Daily walks are an excellent way to keep her active and in shape. For the final week, this can be reduced because she should be at home and relaxing.
How Can I Tell if My Boxer is Close to Delivery
Using an ultrasound or x-ray, a veterinarian can tell you exactly how far along your Boxer is. You can begin taking your dog’s temperature on day 55 if you are aware that the day is approaching.
This procedure is performed rectally. Between 38.5 and 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit are considered typical for a dog’s core temperature (38.61 C). You’ll know she’s going into labor when her temperature drops to 98.6 F (36.6 C).
Tips for Whelping Boxer Puppies
Puppies cannot generate their own body heat until they are 2 12 weeks old, so make sure the whelping box has appropriate heat, around 85 degrees. Cleaning and maintaining a stress-free environment in the whelping space is essential.
It is especially important to be present when the female gives birth to her first litter or when she is an older female. Preventing the death of puppies may require immediate action on your part.
When newborns are very young, you can help stimulate their breathing and keep them warm by stroking and wiping their bodies. A low birth weight can lead to undeveloped lungs in puppies, which can lead to hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature. Hypothermia can be fatal.
Prior to administering oxytocin or ergonovine to enhance uterine contractions, seek the advice of your animal’s veterinarian. Premature placental separation, which can lead to hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen, is a risk associated with certain drugs.
In Over My Head, When Should I Call A Vet?
In the event of an emergency, one must be prepared to deal with the birth of pups. When your Boxer is about to give birth, call your dog’s veterinarian. If any of the following occurs, dial 911 for immediate assistance:
Your dog’s temperature has fallen, but there have been no new puppies for more than 24 hours.
Discharge of greenish color comes from your dog’s mouth
True, a dog is trapped in a canal.
There should be more pups showing, but it’s been almost an hour and a half since the last one did.
At any time, your Boxer is struggling to breathe.
It’s okay if you’re feeling anxious or worried. Safe rather than sorry is always better.
Caring for Newborn Puppies and Your New Boxer Mom
As soon as a litter of puppies are born, they should be weighed at birth, 12 hours later, and 24 hours later. In the first week of life, most normal puppies almost double in weight. Puppy helpers may be needed for two or three of the tiniest pups in large litters.
You should keep an eye out for signs that their puppies are breastfeeding. Per pound of predicted adult body weight, puppies should gain one gram per day. As an illustration, a Boxer puppy needs to grow about 60 grams (2 ounces) of weight every day. Puppy weight gain should be supplemented with maltodextrin-containing formula if it is not occurring at that rate.
A first-time mother may be overwhelmed, and you may need to lay her on her side and put the puppies on the nipples for a few days until she takes control. When a mother dog becomes older, her nipples can get huge and meaty, making it difficult for a young puppy to hold onto them. These puppies may need your assistance in feeding until they are well-adjusted.
In order to ensure the health and well-being of a mother and her puppies, breeders should begin introducing her to the whelping box at least five days before to her due date. There should be at least one and a half to two times as much room for the mother in the whelping kennel as there is for the fetus. There should be an area where the mother can get away from her babies without them fleeing. To protect a puppy from being crushed or suffocated by its mother’s body or the box’s edges, use a railing or ledge that is 3 to 4 inches off the floor around the periphery. Puppies cannot generate their own body heat until they are 2 12 weeks old, therefore keeping the whelping box at 85 degrees is ideal.
In puppies, excessive heat and humidity can lead to respiratory problems and dehydration. Make sure to keep mom cool as well as overheated Boxer moms may not spend as much time with their pups and generate less milk.
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