Prenatal Care for Pets
It’s exciting to have a pregnant pet who is about to bring some cute babies into the world. Pregnant pets have unique health needs to keep them and their unborn children safe during pregnancy. Prenatal care for pets is important during pregnancy. This special care can keep everyone safe and healthy throughout this beautiful time in an animal's life.
Schedule a Visit with Your Veterinarian
As soon as you know that your pet is pregnant, we recommend scheduling a vet visit. Your veterinarian can do preliminary tests and give you helpful tips to work through the early stages of pregnancy. They can also determine a due date, which can help you immensely with planning. X-rays can give the vet a better idea of the size and number of babies inside the uterus.
An ultrasound can confirm that your pet is pregnant, monitor fetal development, and let you know if the babies are viable. It can detect potential complications, provide a rough idea of the litter size, and give you a reasonable estimate of the delivery date. An ultrasound can typically be performed as early as 21 days after conception. If your veterinarian doesn’t have an ultrasound, you may need to schedule the procedure at an emergency/specialty hospital.
The veterinary team will provide a care schedule that lets you know how often you need to schedule visits during the pregnancy. If you notice anything unusual at any stage, including bleeding or illness, it is important to schedule another visit. Things can change quickly for pregnant pets, so they need fast medical care.
Focus on Nutrition
Nutrition is an essential element of prenatal care for pets. Pregnant pets often need more calories each day to account for how hard their body will work throughout the process. Your veterinarian can walk you through what kind of food is best for your soon-to-be mama. You will have to change caloric amounts at different stages of the pregnancy to keep her properly fed. With the right diet, you shouldn’t need to give her any additional supplements (unless recommended by your vet).
Prenatal Care for Pets and Exercise
Pregnancy is not an illness or injury. This means your dog can still stay active while pregnant, but she will need to avoid especially strenuous activities once she reaches about 4 weeks. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best exercise schedule to help her stay healthy and active (without overdoing it).
Parasite Prevention and Vaccinations
It is important to keep up with parasite prevention during pregnancy to keep mama and her babies safe. Your vet might also recommend updating certain vaccinations to provide the safest and healthiest environment in which the babies can grow.
Keep Her Comfortable and Calm
As part of prenatal care for pets, it is good for pregnant animals to have comfortable spaces to relax throughout every stage of the pregnancy. She will need extra quiet and rest as she works through her pregnancy. Also, try to stay calm around her to prevent her from getting worked up or anxious. Keeping her stress levels low will help her make it through her pregnancy without issue.
Whether your pregnant pet needs a little extra help or your pet is in need of a specialty surgery, the team at OVRS is here for you. We offer a wide range of services to ensure that your pets can stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call (248) 334-6877.
