Basset Pregnant?

Question
Hi I have a basset hound who in late September i believe was in heat and she got out and possibly had a running with a male dog. the only sign of pregnancy is her tits are swelling but they have been progressively swelling over the past 3 or so weeks she also has been eating a good bit but she has always liked food. she will take a visit to the vet sometime next month but i was just wondering.

Answer
Hi Emily:

It's entirely possible she could be pregnant. Swelling or enlargement of the mammary glands/teats is one of the signs of pregnancy, as is an increased appetite. Normally by this time you would notice some abdominal swelling also but it's possible if she is pregnant it may be a small litter so it's not always easy to tell if that's the case. Some other signs you may or may not have noticed include: a marked change in behavior, such as seeking more than usual attention from you or other family members, nesting behavior & possibly a few bouts of "morning sickness" similar to pregnant women. I would definitely urge you to have your vet examine her soon & if by your calculations she's at 50+ days gestation an X-ray can usually detect fetal skeletons, which will not only give you an idea of litter size but may also help to determine if any of the pups look as if they may be over-sized, which could cause problems for a natural whelping. Often a small litter of only one or two puppies necessitates a C-section as they've gotten all the nutrition & haven't had to compete with siblings. Plus if you don't know the size of the sire if he's considerably larger than she is it could compound the situation. If a C-section is necessary & you don't want to risk another accidental breeding in the future it would be an excellent time to have her spayed. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian & I'm sure he/she will do all they can to advise you on your best course of action.

I'll be hoping for the best for you & your naughty girl! Maybe with any luck she isn't pregnant <fingers crossed> - please let me know what your vet concludes.