preggers maggie update

[Karen]

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]

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).

[sprokett]

awwwwww keep us updated

[CathyBogart]

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]

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

[CathyBogart]

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]

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.

[Catlady711]

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.

I think it's 50-53 days before the pups show up on an x-ray. I don't know about ultrasound as we don't have one of those where I work, we refer people out for those.