preggers maggie update [Archive]

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 07:04 PM

I'm starting to think that my Boston terrier is pregnant...This is really worrying me...What are some signs that she i pregnant.
Maggie went into heat on january 14 not sure if she was bred but she did run out unattended a few times.
Her belly is getting big and so is her appetite.
her breasts are also getting bigger although they were already pretty large.
She is alot more moody than usual.
I will try to get some belly pics to see what you think...

Kfamr

02-25-2007, 07:07 PM

Your best bet would to be to take her to the vet tomorrow. It would be hard to tell by pictures.

applesmom

02-25-2007, 07:12 PM

It could be a false pregnancy, but if you're in doubt, an ultra sound should confirm or deny. Your vet will tell you when would be the best time since you're not sure of the actual date of a possible breeding.

If she is pregnant be prepared for a c-section since you have no way of knowing the size of the father.

For your sake and hers, I hope she isn't pregnant.

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 07:17 PM

I hope she isn't as well I am all for rescue/spay and neuter. I have never bred or had the desire to breed and we were planning on having her spayed soon. I will set up an apointment as soon as possible. If it does come down to her having to have a c-section we will get her spayed at the same time. The only two possible things the father could be would be a beagle or a foxhound... My neighbor breeds beagles and one might have gotten out I have also seen a foxhound 1 time but that was it. I'm not even sure if it was a male or female because it ran away quickly. I didn't even want to post this because I yell at people who breed mutts all the time and always tell people to get dogs from the shelter...

Canis-Lupess

02-25-2007, 07:19 PM

I suggest a vet visit too.

Phantom pregancies can happen but if she mated with a much bigger dog as somebody else mentioned, the pups may be well too big for her to pass when the time comes.

You need to be more careful to not let her escape and get mated during her seasons. If she isn't meant as a brood bitch, she is better off being spayed.

Ah, forget the last bit, I just saw that you posted at the same time as me, lolol. I hate it when that happens. :D

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 07:22 PM

Did you read my last post? Also I got her when she was already 2 years old and haven't even had her for a year I have been planning to get her spayed. All my other dogs/cats are spayed.

applesmom

02-25-2007, 07:23 PM

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 07:29 PM

oh ok thank you for the info. She will be spayed though whenever it needs to be done it will be done...

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 07:36 PM

Also I have been through a false pregnancy with her before but this is alot different. She has spent all her time sleeping and couldn't even stay awake for a few minutes to get her pictures taken she just plopped right down which is not normal for her. She also peed on the floor today which is also not normal for her. Also maggie is a very active dog most of the time. She is currently doing flyball and is usually very slender.
Ok here are some pictures I just took of her.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010036-6.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010041-3.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010046-4.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P10100392.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010044-6.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010045-8.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010038-6.jpg

applesmom

02-25-2007, 07:49 PM

There isn't any way to tell from the photos since we're not familiar with her before and after.

She needs to be checked by the vet as there is always a possibility of pyometria. See link Pyometria (http://www.iol.ie/~pjmathew/faqpyo.htm) Particularly in a bitch with a history of false pregnancies.

Don't panic, that's worst case scenario!

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 08:03 PM

Thanks for all your help. I'm going to call my vet an make an appointment tomorrow.
Here are some pictures of her before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/maggiewinking2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/maggiebeg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/Maggiepose.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/maggiealmostasleep.jpg

3muttsandaboston

02-25-2007, 08:26 PM

This was taken about 10 days ago.
http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/Lindseyspets/P1010006-5.jpg

luvofallhorses

02-25-2007, 09:28 PM

I would take her to the vet to be sure. I sure can't tell by pictures. please keep us updated.

areias

02-26-2007, 12:20 AM

A view from the top and a view from the side would help. :) Sometimes you can barely notice, though. She does look larger than before, but I can't really tell. Vet visit time! Ultrasounds are fairly simple for them, not very expensive, maybe $30-$40. Good luck!

Canis-Lupess

02-26-2007, 08:59 AM

Did you read my last post? Also I got her when she was already 2 years old and haven't even had her for a year I have been planning to get her spayed. All my other dogs/cats are spayed.

Did you read mine? It says at the bottom of mine to forget the last bit about about spaying because we had posted at the same time so I could not have seen your post above mine until I had posted mine but I went straight back to edit it after I saw yours.

areias

02-26-2007, 10:42 AM

Just wanted to mention...and I might have a large opposition to this..but if you find that she IS pregnant, you could go ahead and get her spayed right away...and have the puppies removed as well. That is another option, although I don't know your opinion on it.

3muttsandaboston

02-26-2007, 03:08 PM

Thank you everyone! I called my vet...They said there is nothing that they can tell at this point and to wait it out. I think i'm going to look around and find a new vet...They also acted like I was crazy when I asked about sonograms...

Kfamr

02-26-2007, 04:02 PM

I'd certainly find a new vet NOW. Call around tomorrow and explain the situation, how lightly your other vet took it, and see if they can check her out tomorrow.

lizbud

02-26-2007, 04:51 PM

oh ok thank you for the info. She will be spayed though whenever it needs to be done it will be done...

It really should have been done yesterday. If your family has a problem
with the cost, could you look up low cost spay/neuter clinics in the area?
She really is a cutie. :)

3muttsandaboston

02-26-2007, 04:53 PM

If she is pregnant i'm not spaying her and killing the pups. That is my personal choice. I just lost a dog friday and I think killing a litter of pups would hurt me even more. I just want to know for sure if she is pregnant.

cloverfdx

02-26-2007, 09:18 PM

Hopefully she is not pregnant.

If she does have live puppies you won't want to have her spayed at the same time as the c-section unless you plan to bottle or tube feed.
That does not always happen, a friends GSD bitch had to have a ceaser and they desexed her at the same time... Cin was a wonderful mother to her babies ;).

Karen

02-26-2007, 09:32 PM

Definitely call another vet. She's such a small dog - as fits her breed, that it's important to know if she is, and how far along, and how big the pups are to make plans in case she needs a c-section, which isn't uncommon with bully-breeds anyway.

3muttsandaboston

02-26-2007, 09:54 PM

I know of 2 vets that I can call tomorrow. One of them is brand new huge and seems state of the art. I also heard they have good prices so that is the first one i'll call. The one I use is expensive and the people there are rude. I swear I cant take a dog in for anything without paying at least 100 dollars. The lady at the front desk said there was no such thing as a dog sonogram (she went and asked the vet before she said this). :eek:

sprokett

02-28-2007, 12:48 PM

awwwwww keep us updated

CathyBogart

02-28-2007, 03:07 PM

The vet was correct in that there is no accurate way to tell for certain she's pregnant until the puppies are a certain age inside of her. Even ultrasounds won't work before she is....(Dangit, I don't have my notes with me, but I had this in lecture YESTERDAY) at least a few weeks along. When I get ahold of my notes tonight I can put up more info.

There is a window of time when the puppies can be palpated (felt by hand by the vet), but then there is a time where they can't be felt for awhile, then you can feel them again.

If she has been pseudo pregnant before, it's more likely for her to be pseudo pregnant again.

I have to add that even though they were correct in telling you there is no way to accurately tell if she's pregnant, they should have had you come in to make sure she doesn't have a pyo or some other unpleasant thing. Good luck at the new vet.

gwen

02-28-2007, 04:18 PM

This is probably a really daft question but cant they test the urine like us humans do? I have no clue, just wondered. ?????

Catlady711

02-28-2007, 07:03 PM

applesmom

02-28-2007, 07:31 PM

An experienced vet can usually palpate a bitch at about 28 days. The pups will feel like little walnuts.

Somewhere around 32 days she might develop a vaginal discharge. It would be clear/white with no smell at all. If she should have a coloured or offensive smelling discharge she should be seen by the vet ASAP.

According to the dates you've provided, if she came into heat on the 14th she wouldn't normally have been breedable until the 21st. In that case she wouldn't be expected to be showing at the time of your first post on this subject.

But the majority of my experience is with much bigger dogs! It's possible that smaller dogs might start to show their pregnancies sooner. :)

angelbow20

02-28-2007, 08:18 PM

If she does have live puppies you won't want to have her spayed at the same time as the c-section unless you plan to bottle or tube feed.

If you have her spayed, the odds will be great that she won't be able to provide milk for the puppies and may even reject them.

Think positive!

She could still be spayed if she has a C section, I would think she has the same odds of rejecting them if she gets fixed right off or not since she wouldnt deliver them herself, my mom had a dog who got pregnant and she had a C section and got fixed during the surgery and fed her babies and everything fine.

applesmom

02-28-2007, 08:47 PM

She could still be spayed if she has a C section, I would think she has the same odds of rejecting them if she gets fixed right off or not since she wouldnt deliver them herself, my mom had a dog who got pregnant and she had a C section and got fixed during the surgery and fed her babies and everything fine.

You're right. She has a 50-50 change of accepting them and being able to provide milk for them if she is spayed.

CathyBogart

02-28-2007, 09:12 PM

This is probably a really daft question but cant they test the urine like us humans do? I have no clue, just wondered. ?????

No, there is no urine test for dogs. One was attempted, but it was never accurate and it fizzled out. Besides, the hormones of a pregnant bitch look exactly like theo hormones on a pseudo-pregnant bitch. :)

And even an EXPERIENCED vet can accidentally mis-diagnose a piece of poop in the small intestine for a puppy in the uterus. My teacher has been a vet for over 30 years, and he said that it is impossible to tell one "small marble in a tube" from another until they're past the "marble" stage and the "sausage" stage (where you can't feel them at all). :)

gwen

03-01-2007, 06:19 AM

Thanks, I didnt realise it was so difficult to find out if they're pregnant. I'm so glad I have a boy dog. The dog looks so tiny too. If it isnt a real pregnancy how long will it be before her belly goes down? I know this is a hard time for the owner, but it is fascinating, I honestly never realised how complex and interesting the world of dogs is, I have learned so much reading this forum.

Kfamr

03-03-2007, 11:44 AM

It's been about a week now, have you found anything out? :confused:

3muttsandaboston

03-03-2007, 02:30 PM

No I haven't taken her to the vet I was going to wait a little so they could tell for sure if she is pregnant when I take her in. Her stomach has actually gotton smaller and is pretty much normal size now.

sprokett

03-06-2007, 02:41 PM

i glad to hear her belly has gone down but still a vet visit may be a good idea again keep us updated!!!!

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 05:31 PM

Well we think she is probably pregnant. We are taking her to the vet in the next few days. We called a different one and they had an ultrasound but there was a specialist that only comes in 1 time a week and it's $250 to get it done. I'm going to try a couple more vets. My mom swears she felt a puppy kick. Not sure if I believe her though one minute I think maggie's pregnant and the next I don't so I don't know. Well off to call a couple of vets. I will take some belly pics and see if you guys think she has grown since the last time.

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Well here are some pics taken a few minutes ago I also just discovered that she went into the heat the 2nd of january instead of the 13th. (I had sent an e-mail to my flyball instructer saying I couldn't come because she just went into heat)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010002-1-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010003-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010005-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010006-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010007-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010008-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010010-1-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010011-1-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010012-1.jpg

Her vulva is also swollen and she has some clear discharge
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010013-1.jpg

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 07:05 PM

A few more
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010018-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010025-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010027-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010029-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/Crittergirl1988/P1010034.jpg

applesmom

03-08-2007, 07:49 PM

If she came into heat on January 14, she would most likely have concieved after the 21st. (Counting on my fingers.) That would make her delivery date on or around the 22 to 26th of march. Give or take a few days because you don't know for sure when she actually concieved.

If her vulva didn't return to normal size after her heat and the discharge is minimal, clear and odorless she's probably got a puppy or three in there. In the next week you'll be able to tell more by her appearance! Now would be the time to increase her daily feedings by 1/3, preferably by adding a mid day meal. It's also time to alert your vet and set up the whelping box.

If the discharge is colored or has an odor, she needs to seen by your vet ASAP.

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 07:54 PM

I put in my last post I realized that she came into heat on the 2nd of january. Thanks for the info. Should I go get a good quality puppy food?

applesmom

03-08-2007, 07:58 PM

Sorry I missed the change in dates. She's closer than I thought! A good quality puppy food will work just fine.

Hope everything goes smooth as silk!

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 08:07 PM

Thanks! My sister really wants a puppy so if she has pups my sister will be the first to get one. My poor baby wont stay away from me lol. She is always laying beside me lately. She is also sleeping most of the day unless she is eating or using the bathroom. I'm glad my mom is an experienced breeder (she used to breed pekingese) that was before I was born though. I can understand why there would only be a few pups because if she was bred it was only for a few minutes. I never saw a dog though so i'm not sure when it happened. I know my neighbor has beagles that escape from their pen every once in a while.

angelbow20

03-08-2007, 08:37 PM

You really should get her to a vet and do payments if you have to, my grandparents always had bostons and since they are like bully breeds they most likely could need a c section because there heads are too big to come out... I could be wrong but atleast I always was told that... plus its always safe to know how many to prepare for, We just had pups in december and the good thing was we had her checked weekly at the vets and knew around how many pups to expect, so then we knew when she was done delivering and could put the pups back in with her.... good luck and I cant wait to see puppy pics!!!

3muttsandaboston

03-08-2007, 08:47 PM

I am taking her to the vet soon probably in the next 1-4 days and I know that she will probably need a c-section. I will take tons of pics!

3muttsandaboston

03-09-2007, 05:21 PM

Well I called and the earliest time they could take her is monday. She is getting x-rays to see how many pups there are. Hopefully she wont have them before then.

applesmom

03-09-2007, 05:38 PM

It would be wise to have an emergency number on hand over the weekend--just in case!

Hope she waits and the delivery goes smooth!

3muttsandaboston

03-09-2007, 05:42 PM

There is an emergency place nearby just in case, I have their magnet on my fridge. :)

3muttsandaboston

03-09-2007, 07:15 PM

I went and bought an ear thermometer and a nasal aspirator as well as several towels and hand towels. I now have definate homes for 3 puppies if there are that many. My sister, her friend, and myself.

DrKym

03-09-2007, 07:16 PM

Good Luck to you and Maggie!! :)

boris91

03-11-2007, 12:53 PM

i was skipping through looking for the news and i thought o skip to end i wil find out with the posts at end good luck little maggie!!!!

critter crazy

03-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Any news yet???

3muttsandaboston

03-11-2007, 01:31 PM

Her temp is 99.1 degrees. Her appetite has decreased a small amount. She is not nesting or anything though so I don't think it will be anytime soon.

3muttsandaboston

03-11-2007, 01:36 PM

Me and my grandmother (who used to breed dachshunds) just had an hour long conversation. She was giving me all kinds of advice (some of it oldschool) but alot of it helped.