Hi everyone.
I have a bitch who is pregnant.......hers and my first litter.
I am just wondering wether bitches have a period when they don't seem to grow very much. She was scanned and 6 pups were visible which is average for our breed. As this is my first litter i have no idea on how quickly she should be growing.
I have read up on it and it says that, rapid fetal development is from 45-55 days and a huge difference in the bitches outline should be visible.She is now on day 46. Am i just being a bit paranoid or should i be concerned.?
I am increasing her food gradually and doing everything that i should be!

Best Wishes

Mel (peachesgold@aol.com)

hello mel,
all bitches are different just like humans not all of them show here is a post posted on the breeding forum by a breeder that knows there stuff.
  Smudgley 28.09.04 20:45 GMT  [Misc] [Reply]  

So difficult to predict as they are all different, just like humans, some show very early, others much later.
I know a FCR who didn't look pregnant @ 8 weeks ~ but had been scanned for at least 9 / 10 pups
everyone who saw her said she wasn't carrying a large litter & 2 or 3 pups may be in there, sure enough out popped 11 healthy pups all of good birth weights.
I've seen other bitches at 4/5 weeks in whelp who are very obviously pregnant.
I'd say typically @ 5 weeks a bitch would usually start to change her abdomen shape ~ and 6 weeks would be average for a bitch to start to gain weight (slightly!) & look in whelp.

Obviously different breeds can vary a lot.

good luck.

hope this is some use to you, as long as your bitch is fedding correct and is acting her self you should be fine just always keep your vet to hand.
kind regards mark