Is there a way to tell if she's pregnant?

[Abby'sMom]

Okay, I feel like a Mom whose daughter has had a teen love affair and gotten herself pregnant. I feel so guilty! My baby was in heat. I knew that. We have a fenced in yard and I kept an eye on her everytime she went outside. About 4 weeks ago, my son left the only gate that does not have a lock on it open and my girl got out of the yard. I have no idea how long she was out, but it was probably not more than 1/2 hour. Our new next door neighbor brought her to the door - and that is how I found out that she was out. Coincidently, our new neighbor also has 2 male dogs and I don't believe they are neutered.

So here is my dilemma. I have not made up my mind as to whether or not I want to breed her. She just turned two in April and is of show quality, but I do not want to show her. When she goes into heat, it is not that messy and she is not a problem - until now.

The only thing that makes me worried is her appetite has changed. She used to eat her dog food just fine. We would give her her food, and also a couple pieces of her brothers food....he is 12 years old and eats a different brand which has softer chunks in it that she loves.
Well now she refuses to eat her food at all - I thought maybe there was something wrong with that food, so I dumped it and got some fresh and she still won't touch it. She only will eat her brother's food and of course any people food we offer to her. We have also noticed that she has put on some weight and she is very lazy lately. I was blaming the laziness on the winter and the weight gain on the Christmas cookies she has begged from the kids, but now I am beginning to wonder if there is more to this.

Is there a way to tell if she is pregnant without going to the vet? I mean if she was pregnant, of course we would get her vet care, but I don't want to pay for an office call and ultrasound, etc. if she is not. That is one reason why we have not started breeding her, we cannot afford it right now and I want to do it right.

Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

[ash]

If you did not want to show her why is she not spayed??? Breeding does have expenses much greater then an office call and ultrasound. Is she registered if so have you told the breeder?? If she really is not wanted to eat my guess is may be further then you think. Your best bet is to do the ultrasound because you want her to be as healthy and nourished as you can ecpecially if she is pregnant. Xrays are cheaper but it is not always accurate like an ultrasound before 5 or 6 weeks. To xray the spines and skulls have to be partially developed before you can see anything. Does your neighbor have a fenced yard did they come in contact with each other. If she is pregnant sometimes Golden Retrievers clubs will take them when they are weaned as a donoation. I'm not sure about the requirments of it, but they usually find really really good homes for them and it is easier when they are pups then adults. Just a thought. I hope all the users advice helps you out.

Ash

[Legend's Mom]

You can do a canine pregnancy test anytime after 3 weeks and of course there is the usual ultrasound or xray.
I hope everything is ok, accidents do happen and i hope this one turns out ok....I apologize for this.
Who was her breeder?

[Tahnee GR]

The best way to tell if she is pregnant or not is to check with your vet. Call before you go and talk to him or her. The 2 most common methods-palpation and ultrasound are done at very different times. My guess is that if she is 4 or more weeks along, you will need to do an ultrasound. It will tell if she is pregnant and give you an idea (rough) of how many puppies. The estimate from an ultrasound is almost always on the low side :-)

If she is pregnant, you have a lot of work to do! There are a lot of websites with great information and there is also a wonderful, non-judgemental group at Yahoo called Pregnancy_and_Pups

Pregnancy lasts 63 days or about 9 weeks, and then pups need to be kept until at least 7 weeks before they are placed. I keep mine until 8 weeks, which provides a little more bite inhibition and manners training from their Moms.

Placing mixed breed dogs is never easy but at least you won't be placing mid-winter puppies.

Accidents happen, but if you do decide to keep her intact and get her clearances (hips, elbows, heart and eyes), you need a more secure means of confining her when she is in season.

My fingers are crossed that she is not pregnant :)

Linda
Tahnee Golden Retrievers

[Dogrunner]

Have her lay on her side and carefully but firmly (not so firmly you hurt her, of course) see if you can feel "lumps" on her side (above her belly). It's sometimes hard for a "first-timer" to feel them, but if you do, you know she's pregnant. By the 50th day or so, if she's pregnant you'll be able to see the lumps down her side when she stands.

Usually pregnant dogs start eating everything in sight and beg for more by 4 weeks. She may be having a false pregnancy.

Good luck! Accidents happen--just be sure to take good care of your baby.

[Soda]

If she has been off her feed for more than a couple of days I'd advise having the Vet look at her. Even if she is not pregnant there is a reason she is not eating.

[KATERINA & TSOUFI]

I also hope that she is not pregnant. Which day of her period did she get out? Usually they get pregnant between the 9th and the 12th day of their period. Gaining weight and beeing lithargic is not a good sign. Are her niples swollen? Did your neighbour actually see her with one of his dogs? From my experience and having 2 male dogs it would be difficult for one of them to breed while the other one was around. They would propably get into a nasty fight. My opinion aucourse....!!!! Hope everything will be fine....

Katerina

[ash]

Hi,

Just wonering is you found out for sure if your Abby is pregnant??? Good Luck

Ash

[Abby'sMom]

:) Happy to report that she is not pregnant. Just me imagining the worse possible thing. My husband has since fixed the gate and all is well. Thank you for your responses though, it's nice to know I have somewhere to go for help.