Four Weeks

Hilde is now in her fourth week, she's over her morning sickness and eating heartily, her belly has quite a pooch, her nipples are pronounced and pink.

************ 4th week **********

Days 21 to 28

Vet can Palpate and possibly detect pregnancy.  Between days 27 and 31.  After day 32, fluids increase to protect pups and making palpating not possible.

--Fetus's grow from 5-10mm to 14-16mm, faces take shape, eyes and spinal cords developed.--At this stage the embryos are most susceptible.

-- Some like to add 1/4 cup of cottage cheese + 1 scrambled egg every other day.  Or mix (refrigerate) + add a tbsp to daily food.  Hilde is on raw dog food, Fromm puppy kibble & lamb bones as a treat few times a week.  She was off of her feed for a while, cooked chicken and turkey breast got her to start eating again.

-- She's on NuVet vitamins all of the time, pregnant or not.  I like to start a Vet recommended multi-vitamin at this stage, but do not give calcium pills. The Dam needs to build up her own reserves.

girth is 23"