POINTS TO PONDER ON BREEDING

Obese bitches should undergo weight reduction before breeding to improve conception rate and decrease risks of dystocia and poor lactation.Pregnancy is never a good time to attempt weight loss.
At about three weeks gestation many bitches experience a loss of appetite that persists for about a week.Nausea and mild vomiting occasionally accompany the anorexia.Appetite will return at about week four.

Bitches carrying large litters may have abdominal discomfort the last week of gestation and experience a decrease in appetite.Many,but not all bitches will stop eating 24-48 hours before delivery.

The administration of supplemental vitamins and supplements to pregnant bitches is discouraged. Calcium supplementation is contraindicated.

Although calcium requirements increase in the pregnant bitch,they are met by the increased amount of food ingested. Excess calcium above the amount provided by a high quality diet suppresses parathyroid hormone production and increases the bitch’s risk of puerperal hypocalcemia.

Excess vitamin A has been associated with congenital defect,including cleft palates.
Excess vitamin D may complicate the calcium mobilization ability or the bitch.
Supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids will maximize cerebral and retinal development in the fetuses.

Significant mental or physical stress on the bitch can cause adrenaline secretion by the bitch that decreases blood flow to the uterus and placenta,resulting in decreased fetal oxygen and can impair development and threaten survival.

Vaccination
Routine vaccinations should be current or done prior to breeding.A puppy’s early immunity is dependent upon consumption of colostrum containing high levels of antibodies and, therefore, dependent on the bitch’s immune status. Administration of modified live vaccines is not recommended during pregnancy.