3 non-pregnant dogs

Question
I am a breeder. I just started a couple years ago. Since Then, I am really enjoying the experience. I had my dog for a few years before I started breeding. I wanted to really study the breeding process as well educate myself and visit other breeders with much more experience. i also have a mentor that has been breeding for over 25 years.

This is the first time I might have (doubtfully) 3 pregnant dogs at once. They surprised me by having their heats at the same time (This was not mine or my calendars prediction)

My vet came on the 17th and the 24th of November to palpate. On the 17th, She thought she felt something small in AppleRose and Lacy...Nothing in Goldie.  She said she was not sure and felt better to check on the 24th due to whatever she felt on the 17th... was too small. On the 24th, she said non of the dogs took.

I just want to clear up that I used 2 males. I used another breeders stud (that never had an issue) with one of my dogs. As well my stud has never had a problem. All 3 tied at least 4X each.

I still have hope. They have all put on weight. AppleRose put on 7.5lbs gradually since she bred The other 2 put on 3.5-5lbs. Do they usually gain this early. As well they have been very affectionate...specially one (more then the others) and she threw up too. Lacy hardly eats...unless I mix her food with something yummy. Then she eats it slowly. AppleRose has really slowed down eating this past week. She nibbles throughout the day. Goldie would love more!....Very normal for Goldie! AppleRose and Goldie have grown 2" around their waist. I always measure the same spot..near their back legs. I also have witnessed these loving dogs (best buddies) being really nasty.


My mentor really thinks my vet could be wrong. My vet said I could ultrasound...but she said she is so sure ....And she is convinced they are not pregnant. ...90%
From what I have read and other breeders have told me, I do not want to ex-ray or ultrasound unless really needed. They all are in great health.


Here are their tie dates:

Oct 21: Mackie and Lacy

Oct 22 Jasper and Apple (2X in 10 min)
          Goldie and Mackie (AM)
          Lacy and Mackie  (PM)

Oct 23 Jasper and Apple
          Mackie and Lacy

Oct 24 Mackie and Goldie

Oct 25 Jasper and Apple
          Mackie and Lacy

Oct 26 Mackie and Goldie

Oct 27 Jasper and Apple
          Mackie and Lacy

Oct 28 Goldie and Mackie

Please know that I always have homes for my puppies before they are conceived ...so far. As well our family really loves our dogs and all the puppies.

My mentor told me that I need to make up my mind....Am I a breeder or a pet owner???.......I know I am a pet owner. For I love my dogs and can not think of our family without them.  I really love breeding and handing so many people whom can not have dogs due to allergies one of our puppies for their extended family.

I really love your website and refer to it a lot.

If you need pics of my dogs, please ask...I did not want to overwhelm you.

I am just stumped, I have many calls each day, asking if I know if I have puppies on the way.....i keep putting them off till either I have puppies or know for sure......Can my vet be wrong?


Update: My vet stopped back today. I explained to her that each dog has gained weight, they all have temps less then 100.00 (in the 99.0) They all look wide around the hips. She looked today (days 55 and 56 between 3 dogs) At the end of the visit, she again said none of them are pregnant. I am baffled. I gave each food grade DIATOMACEOUS EARTH and kelp during the last 9-10 weeks. I skipped about 1-2 weeks in the middle. What did I do wrong? My vet said I could get xrays...but she told me not to waste the $$$$...I was wondering could there be puppies hiding in their ribs? I just cant get over 3 dogs not being pregnant...I used different studs....
Happy Holidays!

Michelle

Answer
Hi Michelle

I'm going to try and answer all your questions without missing any (I hope).

First your females will all come into heat at the same time, it's referred to as "The Dorm Effect". If this is the first time you've had three females in one place, they may have had split heats to catch up to each other and not been ovulating when you bred.

When using outside males or males that have been bred to other females it's important to either test the semen and/or put the male on a low dose of antibiotics after each breeding cycle is complete.  A STD like Brucellois can wipe out a breeding program quicker than spit.  

False pregnancies have all the same symptoms and signs of a true one without the end result. So weight gain and personality changes are common.   When measuring you should do the waist AND the chest, personally I've found that the chest expands at the same rate in true pregnancies and just bellies in false.

Although Diatomaceous Earth is used as a insecticide it's major function is sucking up liquids and sperm would fall under the liquid category. So lets say you gave it to the girls prior to mating or a few days after.  Ovulation is 7 days and sperm can live 72 hours.  The DE would suck the moisture out of both.   For females I recommend a low dose of amoxicillian when she starts her season and then nothing until a week after mating.  Then vitamins, supplements, etc.

Because everything kills or lower the sperm count on males, no vitamins, oils or warm baths until the matings are completed.

If your vet is competent then there is no reason to believe she/he made a mistake.  Palpation can detected pups and there may be a small chance that a pup is hiding but unfortunately, if you're not going to do x-rays (which are completely safe and which I always recommend to take the guess work out), then all you can do is wait.  

Hope that helps.

Good luck