Palpation in Pomeranian

Question
Hello! How are you?

My husband and I bred and showed rabbits a while back. I had gotten good at palpating for kits with them. We are getting into breeding and showing Pomeranians, now. I only have 1 bitch and she was studded for the first time June 15th.

I palpated her today and I felt a "ball" that felt very similar to what the kits of my rabbits had felt like during palpation. I didn't squeeze it or press on it- I had let it slide through my thumb and fore finger very gently. I tried to move up the uterine horns to feel for more- but I felt nothing. Could there be one more hidden in her rib cage at all? Or is this likely the only one? When she is 50 days we are taking her for an x-ray since this is her first litter and I will know for sure then. However, I was more curious to how accurate palpation is in dogs.

Answer
Hi Rebecca

The female must be standing run your hands along her lower sides with your finger grazing her belly.  Very gentle push your fingers up.  You should feel a golf ball size.  Caution should be given as pushing and prodding to hard is not healthy or wise.   Experienced breeders and vets can find pups but ultra sound and x-ray are always fool proof.

Good luck