When you are blessed with a pregnant Labrador, you have to take care of them. Usually, most pregnant Labradors are at their state because of planned events. They need the best of care to ensure they will bring healthy babies.
For instance, make sure that the pregnant Labrador is at the right age to be pregnant and give birth. This is important because some dogs are bred accidentally during their first heat. The Labrador should be at least one year old. This is the right age for breeding dogs.
Make sure that you make regular veterinarian visits, especially if your pregnant Labrador was not examined before becoming pregnant. This will guarantee that your dog remains healthy and the puppies are examined to make sure they are doing ok.
Regular exercise helps in keeping the muscles toned while promoting general health of your pregnant Labrador. It can be potentially dangerous for both the mother and her puppies if your pregnant Labrador becomes overweight or obese.
Vaccination, Parasite Control and Nutrition for a Pregnant Labrador
When your Labrador becomes pregnant, you have to take care of them more. Be wary about various issues such as nutrition, exercise, vaccination, parasite control and other diseases.
Make sure you have given the necessary vaccinations for your dog. Pregnant Labradors need extra immunity because it would directly affect her puppies through her milk. However, it is not recommended to vaccinate pregnant Labradors. So make sure to take her to the vet for immunizations before breeding.
Another thing to consider is intestinal parasites and heartworms. This is important to watch for because pregnant Labradors could pass these parasites on to their puppies. Therefore, along with immunizing, make sure that your dog receives all the examinations necessary before breeding to guarantee that the mother is free of these harmful parasites.
Your pregnant Labrador will not have her normal appetite during the first six weeks. However, when she reaches her sixth week, she is likely to have a better appetite than usual. During this time, proper nutrition is important because she is now feeding both herself and her puppies. Its important to remember that since the puppies are pushing against her organs, she will not be able to eat as much as before in one serving. To be sure she is eating enough you could give her several little meals a day.
You should double the amount of time and energy taking care of a pregnant Labrador in order for her to pass a healthy life to her puppies. Proper care includes that your dog is receiving proper nutrition, parasite maintenance, sufficient exercise and diet.