feeding pregnant females

[tiffinis]

Just curious how everybody else feeds their pregnant females. I remember long ago and far away my family used to switch all the girls to puppy chow about the time they started their 5th week. I have read some conflicting opinions. So I thought I would ask what you all do.

[Emery]

What I have been told by my vet is to keep them on their original amount of food. If you change to puppy food and/or give more food, then the pups will grow larger and you can have issues with your bitch whelping.

A pregnant bitch should conitnue to be exercised at her regular pace until it becomes difficult on her, then it should be daily walks. This will keep her in shape and aid her in her delivery of her pups.

Once the pups have arrived, then you can free feed the bitch with whatever type of food (puppy or adult) you wish.

That is my opinion...

Emery

[tiffinis]

All of my dogs are free fed to begin with. She has not been eating much.

[Ark]

Im a long way from an expert but Im one of em that switches em to puppy chow and like you I feed free choice.

Knock on wood but I havent had any problems yet.

[coolbrze]

I feed the same thing (Black Gold 26/18), but a tad more as they progress. Right after whelping I switch to 1/2 Purina or BG puppy chow & 1/2 BG 26/18.

[tiffinis]

Thanks for the replies. I figured I would get more feedback on this topic. We had to take her to the vet. She stopped eating and then started throwing up. She is anemic and her white blood cell count is up. So they put her on supplements and antibiotics.

[S.R.Patch]

Did he check her stool for blood and worms(hook/whip)?
Hounds don't become anemic by being pregnant. The high white cell count comes from there being an infection.
She hasn't been jumping up on benches or anything has she? If she starts discharging or swelling up tight get to the vet.
The lack of appetite and vomiting, hummm, no mouse or rat dope around?
Temp is normal?
I would keep her low and away from the other hounds. Her food would be cooked oatmeal w/ chopped liver mixed in, lots of fresh water...
You've got to get over this before the time comes for making milk.
Best of luck...

[Windkist]

I agree with Patch.. pregnancy didn't cause this. Most bitches will go through a spell at the early stages of PG when they might not eat too well but, in the later stages they are usually ravenous! I personally do NOT recommend puppy for for PG bitches as there is too much fat and protein which sometimes will give you HUGE puppies. I offer a mid grade adult food (normal ration) until about 3 weeks before the due date then up the ration by 1/4. After the puppies are born I change to puppy food and pour it on as much as she wants! Cottage cheese, yogurt, meat from the table etc!!

Leah

[tiffinis]

She didnt have a temp and they did test her stool for worms which was negative. Have been feeding her boiled chicken and brown rice for the last couple of days in addition to a small amount of kibble (Canidae) and her iron and vitamin supplement. She seems to be responding well.

[Windkist]

She didnt have a temp and they did test her stool for worms which was negative. Have been feeding her boiled chicken and brown rice for the last couple of days in addition to a small amount of kibble (Canidae) and her iron and vitamin supplement. She seems to be responding well.

Did your vet suggest why she might be anemic?

Leah

[tiffinis]

The vet felt that it was because she wasnt eating and was throwing up. The supplements straightened the anemia right out, but more blood tests on Friday showed her white count was still going up despite antibiotics. They did an ultrasound to check for puppy heartbeats. They found one big one with a nice healthy heartbeat. They could see a smaller body behind it, but couldnt see the heartbeat because of puppy #1. They didnt go looking for anymore. But they did say she is ALL uterus. At this point it is just the wait and see game. She is acting more chipper and was more then ready to go for an evening walk. Made it a short one.

[ked]

I start giving mine a calcium supplement. (PetCal) This will help their milk to drop and to produce.
Rice and liver is also added to diets with their normal dry feed.

[Windkist]

I start giving mine a calcium supplement. (PetCal) This will help their milk to drop and to produce.
Rice and liver is also added to diets with their normal dry feed.

Calcium is fine AFTER puppies but, not before. Natural calcium is pulled from the bones to create contractions during labor. Giving calcium to a bitch during her pregnancy can cause uterine inertia.

Leah