dogs&cats&more

Dogs of any breed are pregnant for approximately 63 days.

Signs that your dog is pregnant: Her mammary glands get bigger, her abdomen gradually starts getting bigger, and she may act hungrier by about day 30 post-conception.

At that point, you could always find out for sure by having an ultrasound done to see the puppy heartbeats. Or at about 40-45 days post-conception sometimes sooner), you should be able to define how many pups there on by seeing their skeletons on x-ray.

If your dog is pregnant, you want to get her on a high quality puppy food (higher protein)and increase the amount she eats, as this higher protein will help nourish the pups as well. Continue this even while she’s nursing.

Invest in a rectal thermometer (usually only about $5) and start taking her temperature every day starting at about 56/57 days post-conception. You’ll get an idea of what her normal temp is, the range of normal for a dog being 100F to 102.5F.

Once the temperature drops about 2 degrees F and stays there (usually to under 98), your dog is ready to give birth within 24 hours. Birth happens normally around day 63, but a dog can give birth anywhere from day 59-69.

Depending on how many pups are coming determines how long the birthing process takes place, but generally, once contractions start, the first pup should be born within a half hour, and no more than 4 hours between each pup.

Christine, LVT

Insulinomas are malignant tumors that for unknown reasons form on the pancreas. Often hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and symptoms of this (seizures, weakness) are the first signs there is a problem. It is most often diagnosed in middle aged dogs, of any breed or sex. Cats rarely have insulinomas.

Blood tests alone can fairly accurately diagnose an insulinoma. What you would look for on bloodwork is normal to high insulin levels that occur while there is a low blood sugar level. If there were no insulinoma, then hypoglycemia was due to something else instead, and insulin levels would also be low on blood results.

Often an abdominal ultrasound is suggested when an insulin is diagnosed. Insulinomas are usually too tiny to see on a radiograph, and difficult to spot on ultrasound, though sometimes they can be seen. The ultrasound, however, can help view surrounding lymph nodes as well as the liver, which are common places for an insulinoma to spread. The chest cavity may also be a place for metastasis, and that is best determined by thoracic x-ray. Knowing if metastasis has occurred is the strongest factor in determining quantity of life that is left.

Insulinomas can sometimes be treated by removing the tumor, along with medications once symptoms return. Otherwise, prednisone (steroid) is indeed the way to go, often along with other medications like Diazoxide and Somatostatin. Diet changes are often implemented to help combat hypoglycemia. Restricted exercise in active dogs is also recommended.

Sometimes, upon surgery it is determined surgical removal is not possible. Then, medical management alone takes place.

Survival time is generally about a year when surgery and treatment are given. Otherwise, it is dependent on how quickly this was diagnosed, how far along symptoms are and what spreading has occurred. Chemotherapy has shown no real promise in fighting this malignancy.

Christine, LVT

Demodectic mange, most commonly referred to as ‘demodex’, ‘red mange’ or ‘puppy mange’, is most often noticed by hair loss around the eyes, muzzle, and/or forelegs, and most often in pups 3-6 months of age.

 Demodex are mites that are transferred to pups within the first week of life by their mothers. These mites can only live on the skin, and do not live in the environment. They sometimes cause a crusty lesion look to the skin, but not always, and in some, secondary infections can occur.

Demodectic mange live on practically every dog, without causing any harm or symptoms. It is the dogs with weakened immune systems, mostly puppies, who can have a problem. The mites themselves are not visible, but a simple skin scraping by your vet can verify whether these mites are living in the hair follicles of your pup.

Most dogs can fight this infestation themselves in small cases, though it takes time for their immune system to strengthen. In harsher cases and weak dogs, treatment is recommended. Medicated dips can be done by your vet, as well as oral and topical medication to help fight these off. A few dogs can become ill from the effects of the mites. If you notice this type of hair loss in your pup, it’s best to have it checked out to get started on treatments sooner than later.

Christine, LVT