Puppy development - Second month

With Phoenix's litter, I posted every "trimester," but when speaking of dogs, we actually usually divide pregnancy into two periods each about one month long. So that's what I'm doing for Topaz's gestation.

The second month is the stage of foetal development (as opposed to embryonic development during month one). This is where the species-specific characteristics of "dog" emerge, as well as sexual characteristics. The changes occur very rapidly. The legs, present as mere bumps or buds on the embryo, lengthen and form toes and claws. Facial characteristics form. Internal organs develop. They grow from tiny embryos of 16mm weighing a few grams to pups of 150-200mm weighing anywhere from 150 to 300g. They grow fur, their bones form and calcify, their eyes and ears form (though these continue to develop for two weeks following birth before they are functional). Finally, they position themselves for the effort of being born.

Foetus at 39 days

This is the time when external signs of pregnancy become visible in the dam: her belly swells noticeably, her teats swell, she no longer has a "waist," she starts to eat smaller amounts more frequently, and by the end of the second month she is getting uncomfrtable, waddling around, and unable to jump the way she used to (especially if there are logs of pups).

Topaz is nearing the end of this period - we hope to see pups within a week or so!