Update - Day 57

Question
QUESTION: I have a 7 lb. tiny australian shepherd female. She is almost 3 yrs. old and our new 5 month old male (9 lb. Australian shepherd) was found tied with her on November 14th. I was told to assume a pregnancy had taken place, but I just don't know if she's really pregnant.  I assumed by now I would see something that would tell me for sure.  There's some slight swelling maybe between her ribs and hips, but she still has her tuck up and the "swelling" isn't firm at all.  Should I have seen a major change by now if she was pregnant?  If I take her to the vet at this point, will they be able to tell me if she's pregnant now or will that require an x-ray? (something I'm not sure I'm willing to expose her to)

ANSWER: Hi Sandy


At day 43, it may still be to early to tell.  Calcification doesn't occur in pups until around day 50 so x-rays won't show anything.   X-rays are harmless and will be a benefit.  Especially as the male hasn't finished out at 5 months old and he may produce some large pups.  Unless you are aware of what is in their background for the last three or four generations on all sides.  

On a side note, at 5 months old, the male may not be producing viable semen so she may be experiencing a false pregnancy.  Measure both her chest and her stomach, they should both be expanding at the same rate.

Good luck



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I took my girl to the vet at day 51. She did a physical examination palpating my pups abdomen and stated that she did not feel the she was pregnant. Fast forward to three days ago. Pup started to develop much more in her hindquarter abdomen area, still floppy but very noticeable. Today that area is larger and more firm and she is losing the hair around her nipples as well. I have attempted to use a stethoscope to listen but don't hear any puppy heartbeats. I understand this could be a false pregnancy but my main questions at this point are...

Is it unusual for a dog to go through the hair loss around the nipples and the growth of the abdomen/mammary area, so close to the due date?  I know they tied on November 14th, definitely, and they had plenty of access to each other for the entire month.  Is it possible she actually conceived later in her heat and isn't as far along?

Answer
Hi Sandy

Sorry, I was certain I send this message to you, and if you get it in duplicate, I apologize.

If she was unsupervised during her season, then it is possible she could still be pregnant but just not as far long as you suspected.

The unfortunate thing about false pregnancies is that ALL the symptoms are the same.  She can have hair loss, nest, gain weight even have contractions.   

Your best bet is still to do x-ray's and or ultra sound.

Good luck