Canine Breeding

Question 1

State 3 important care factors that should be fulfilled pre-parturition

Answer 1

1. monitoring health
2. if any issues, take to a vet
3. nutrition and appropriate diet.

Question 2

From what day should nutrients be increased in a bitches diet?

Answer 2

From day 40

Question 3

What nutrients need to be increased from day 40?

Answer 3

protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus

Question 4

Should you feed an adult based food to a pregnant canine prior to day 40?

Answer 4

No. A food suited to small and medium breed dogs have good nutritional value.

Question 5

By what % should the daily food intake be increased by?

Answer 5

10-15% (small meals, but often throughout the day).

Question 6

How can a breeder prepare for parturition?

Answer 6

1. prepare an area where the bitch can give birth (whelping boxes).
2. Temperature should be kept at 24 degrees Celsius (heat lamps may be used).

Question 7

What can you expect to happen to the bitch during the first stages of parturition?

Answer 7

1. refusal of food
2. panting
3. cervix dilation
4. vomiting

can last anywhere between an hour and a day.

Question 8

What can you expect during stage 2 of parturition?

Answer 8

1. full dilation of cervix
2. contractions begin
3. straining begin
4. green/black discharge
5. umbilical cord must be torn or chewed (NOT cut).

pups should be born within an hour.

Question 9

What should the pups be encourage to do as soon as born and why?

Answer 9

Pups should be encouraged to suckle..

Why? = the milk contains antibodies which can help their immune system.

Question 10

What can you expect during stage 3 of parturition?

Answer 10

1. foetal membranes and placenta is passed (bitch may consume placenta).
2. as the bitch is multiparous, stages 2 and 3 may alternate.

Question 11

State 2 issues that can occur during parturition.

Answer 11

1. retained placenta - failure to pass the placenta.

2. uterine prolapse - uterus prolapses through the cervix.

Question 12

Explain the term lactation.

Answer 12

Production of milk

Question 13

How many litres of water can a 35kg bitch drink each day?

Answer 13

Up to 6 litres.

Question 14

General Fact

Answer 14

If hand rearing is necessary, then processed milk can be provided. This must be given every 2 hours.

Question 15

At what age can ‘complete’ weaning start?

Answer 15

6 weeks and should be completed by 8 weeks.