Although abdominal palpation is the most subjective method of pregnancy diagnosis, it is a reliable method for those skilled in palpation. The ease with which the abdomen can be accurately palpated is influenced by such factors as the amount of body fat, the body conformation, and the temperament of the animal, whereas these factors have little influence on the accuracy of other methods of pregnancy diagnosis. However, uterine enlargement caused by pregnancy cannot be accurately differentiated from uterine enlargement caused by some other process, such as pyometra, based on abdominal palpation findings alone.

In Beagle bitches, uterine swellings that represent uterine edema, embryonic membranes, and early placental development are about 1 cm in diameter at 20 days after breeding. By 30 days after breeding the uterine swellings are about 3 cm in diameter. By 35 days, the gestational sacs are becoming elongated and the uterus is more diffusely enlarged, making it more difficult to detect pregnancy by palpation at that time.

Real-time ultrasonography is an excellent method of pregnancy detection in bitches and queens. It is usually necessary to shave the abdominal hair to obtain good image quality. Scanning is easy to perform and requires minimal animal restraint. Pregnancy can be diagnosed if the gestational sac or fetal structures are identified. The gestational sac appears as a spheric, anechoic structure, surrounded by a hyperechoic wall comprised of the uterus and placenta. Hyperechoic fetal structures are seen within the getational sac. Although it has been reported that the gestational sac can be identified as early as 10 days after the last breeding in the bitch, pregnancy is not reliably detected until 24 to 28 days after breeding in bitches.


Dog pregnancy

Thank you. You hvae gone into pregnancy diagosis in the bitch in much greater details than I do on this site, and I hope that some readers will find it useful.

W

Hi, I have a pair of maltese who mated from 16th-23rd feb 2009. She has had two litters previously and produced on day 59, however this time we are on day 65 from the first date and nothing so far so possibly she didn't fall until the end of that week.
I noticed she was in season on the 14th feb and she started mating on the 16th, i felt that it was probably too early at the time but as she had allowed the mating i assumed she knew better!.
how long should i allow her to carry over (what day) before i need to take her back to the vet?

Hii, I bought my JRT on the 7/March 08 she was only 9 months. and on 5/April 08 she had a litter of jacks x yorkies 4 of them. The previouse owners didn't tell us that she was pregnant. She isn't really hyper as most jacks are. I tried to teach her to 'say please' but she just doesn't like standing straight. I think she has something wrong with her cos she was bread at such a yong age do you think this is a consern. Also she has reasently gone on to heat and we are planing on breeding her with my next doors jack. Could this damage her health?

Hi, Melii,

I think you can breed your bitch again now, a year after her last litter.

W

hi,
i have a 2 year old chihuahua that is due on 19th May. This will be her second litter, her first litter was delivered last november. I know it is irresponsible to have let her get pregnant so soon after the first litter, but she was not in my care at the time. i have become concerned as she has becoem very snappy, and does not seem to be in the mood to eat...do you think she is likely to have her pups early? what signs should i be looking out for as sure signs she is going into labour? this will be the first litter i deliver and i am just starting to panic that i wont be ready, please can you help?

I do not think that yiou have anything to worry about.
She will start making a bed about 48 hours befor she starts to whelp, and will maybe take 24 hours after that befoe she starts to produce a puppy.
Who looked after her when she whelped in november? Maybe they could help you if you are uncerstin.
If in doubt, get her checked by your vet.

Hi there, we rescued a fox terrier from a pound, we got two injections for her in case that she might be pregnant, these however did not work and she is carrying pups, we will have her 52 days today, do you think everything will be ok

Well the clock is running so you will have pups very soon. As far as everything being ok well that is an open ended question! Most dogs manage fine - the thing to remember is that they like to be left alone to get on with giving birth so do not keep going in to see if they are ok - just leave nature to take its course. If you keep disturbing them they may stop whelping and then may need help from a vet. After the births if you are worried take the bitch and pups to a vet for a check over. If the bitch has a smelly discharge from her vagina the day after the births then take her to the vet because there may be a pup still inside. Most births are straight forward.

hi i have a dalmation dog and i think she may be pregnant as she got caught by another dalmation but she has had 2 false pregnaces where her nipples have swollin and milk had came from them what are the sings of pregnansy and how do u no when she is in labour ?

As you are familiar with a false pregnancy then the symptoms of pregnancy are the same but the tummy may be noticeably swollen as well. If you do not want puppies then some new drugs can be given late in the pregnancy (not long ago they had to be given in the first few days or it was too late) to abort the puppies.

When she is ready to give birth she will usually find somewhere quiet and take her blankets and anything else she can find to make a bed. The waters usually appear before any real straining takes place. It is best to leave her to get on with things and not disturb her or she may give up pushing - just put your head round the door every 20 mins or so to make sure she is ok.

Hi, I have a yorkie that I am pretty sure is pregnant and she should deliver around June 6th. Today is May 21st and she has vomited several times and just now started shivering. I offered her some cheese and she gulped it right down. She has a history of occasional vomiting so that didn't worry me, but is it common to shiver when pregnant? Thanks

It is not normal to shiver when pregnant - you do not say how old she is but in middle aged and older dogs (less commonly younger ones) infection of the womb can arise 4-6 weeks after a season - dogs often drink more and vomit and may have a vaginal discharge - it would be best to see your vet to exclude this if she has not bounced back as this is a serious disease.

Hi, i looking to breed my Lhaso Apso, when is best for her to mate? Is it during her season or after? Thanks

The bitch will only usually let the male mate between the 9th and 12th days after she starts bleeding but this is variable. A blood test can help detect the best time to put the bitch to the male and is usually dome on the 9th day, then every day until the best time for mating is detected. If you are going to breed from your dog I would strongly advise you look into this thoroughly before proceeding - although often straightforward things can go wrong and if the bitch needs a caesarian section then it can be very expensive.

Hi. I have a shetland sheepdog that is already 2yrs old. I went to a stud service for her last May 15-19 and the owner of the stud also showed me my dog connected to his male sheltie. Right now, my dog's tummy is not yet big and her nipples arent swollen too. I'm looking forward for puppies for her to have companions because my siberian husky died a few months ago. It sould be her 38th day by now and still no progress. Thanks.

what are the chances of my dog not being pregnant. she tied six times with my other dog approx 30 mins each time, she is now very sleepy even refused to go for a walk, which is very strange for her,

If your dog is on day 38 I might expect there to be some more evidence of pregnancy but if there are few puppies it may not be obvious. Your vet can do a blood test or ultrasound scan if the vet cannot feel puppies on examination.

I am not sure how long ago you dog was mated? You might expect her to be pregnant tying 6 times assuming both her and the male are fertile. I am not quite sure exactly what you are asking.

Hi I have a jrt she is 53 days today into hef pregnancy she lost her mucus plug yest I foned the vet but he said not to worry as it's to soon but I'm alittle nervous that all how soon after losin their mucus do they go into labour it's her first litter she's all ready in her whelping box in the panty as I have 2 other dogs so it's nice n quiet for her there x

This seems too early, although pregnancy is somewhat variable especially for a first litter, normally it is 63 days after mating. Just be patient.

Hello!

i have a female ESS that was mated 4 weeks ago (4 days shy of week 5). the stud mated with her 6 times over a 6 day period... ( numbers 3 4 and 5 were not planned!) but she seems to be very content! she has already started to become thicker around the abdoment and ribs, she also has enlarged teats ( i know this because she has two tiny teats on her chest that we call her 'zits' (lol) and they are much larger now). when is the best time to have an X-ray or an ultrasound. I have been advised that ultrasound is the better method... any thoughts on this? also i have also been told that they dont usually thicken up around the abdomen until week 5/6, could multiple mating increase litter numbers? may sound like a dumb question but a small niggle in the back of my head makes me worried she will become 'over pupped'. I know she will be able to cope but just to have a bit of light shed on the subject would be great. Also a couple of the puppies may go to working homes. I know that tail docking is frowned on and there is a law in place for it, but it is not illegal to dog a spaniel that is going to a working home. I know you have to prove that the dog will be worked before tail docking takes place. What proof is needed? as i have been advised a gun licence is needed, i do not have one but the potential owners do.

Very long message! sorry!

Thank You

Mel

Hello Good day!

I have a pregnant lhasa apso and just starting as a breeder. I dont have any experiences especially during labor day. Please give me some advice and tips in handling my lhasa apso during her labor this coming august 13. Thank you. Any positive and negative comments will be appreciated

Mel

Ultrasound is the best way to check for pregnancy and this can be done now. Multiple matings do not specifically increase litter size as this is influenced by multiple factors but in particular the actual day of mating in the cycle, so repeated matings are more likely to ensure this particular day is targeted and thus maximise litter size in that way.

As far as docking is concerned I have very strong views on this - it confers no benefit to the dog and is painful. If you want advice on docking you will have to ask someone else or you will have me ranting.

Buboy

I have to say I would have found out more about breeding before starting! There is an excellent book called 'The Doglopaedia' by Kay White which is cheap and it explains everything in detail and I would recommend you read this as it would take me far too long to explain all the ins and outs.

My Rottweiler is 66 days pregnant today. She started digging last night but no other signs of labor. She is panting and seems uncomfortable. She has had a very small discharge amount. Clear to cloudy in color. She's still eating and drinking. Suggestions?

Be patient!

Hi, I have a 3yr old daxie who is 65days from her first mating. On her 63rd day I took her vets and temp was 98 but has gone back up to 99.3. She's always sleeping and stretched out a lot. Her teats are huge and she's very quiet. Not bin eating as usual. Urinates quite frequent. And its bin over 24hours since she lost her mucus plug. But showing no other signs. What shall I do? Let nature take its course or get her seen by the vet tomorrow morning.

The day of mating is not necessarily the day of conception so be patient. As far as monitoring the dog's temperature goes this is not very reliable. If the bitch is well and not making any effort to whelp then hang on a few days. If there is still no action then see your vet who can do an ultrasound and check the puppies are healthy.

Hi I bred my Yorkshire terrier about 4 or 5 weeks ago today when I got up she had been sick and seems very down and her little tail is pinned to her bum.. Is this normal
Katrina

As I am sure you guessed this is not normal. It may be nothing to do with the mating (are you sure she is pregnant?) but it could suggest infection of the womb for instance, especially if she is drinking more and off her food. If the signs persist then see your vet.