Questions About Dog Pregnancy and Breeding

What would you like to know about dog pregnancy and breeding? Share some of our visitors' questions.

Hi,

I believe that my bitch is pregnant. All the signs are there, but I do have one question. My bitch seems to have a lot of discharge. Is this normal for a pregnant dog?

~~ Billy

Expert Reply

Hi Billy,

A slight amount of clear discharge would be considered normal during a pregnancy, especially as whelping time draws near. If your bitch isn't close to delivering, the discharge could be a sign of a urinary tract or brucellosis infection. In this case, it would be a good idea to take her to your vet and allow him/her to culture the discharge for diagnostic purposes.

A urinary tract infection is common after breeding, and is fairly easy to treat with an antibiotic. A brucellosis infection is much more serious, and can cause a spontaneous abortion. Either way, it's worth having your bitch checked out unless she is just a few days away from delivering.

Thanks for your question, and I hope that all goes well.

~~ Kelly

Hello!

I discovered my dogs stuck together this morning, obviously breeding, and I didn't know what to do. I researched the situation on the Internet, and a website said not to pull them apart, but that I could place a cold rag over the male's penis to break the tie.

My question to you is did I interrupt the breeding session soon enough to keep my bitch from becoming pregnant? Also, I would like to know if they will tie again.

Thanks~~ Linda

Expert Reply

Hi Linda,

If you discovered your dogs tied, the deed was basically done before you had time for any research. There's a very good chance that your female will become pregnant from this breeding. Your male will also continue to breed her as long as she's receptive and he has access.

If you don't want to breed your bitch, you can ask your vet to spay her as soon as her season ends. This way you'll never have to worry about an unwanted litter again. There are abortive shots available, but may vets are refusing to offer this service because there are possible complications involved.

You could also consider having your male neutered if you want to breed your bitch but not him. Again, this would eliminate an unwanted breeding and make dealing with your bitch's cycles easier for you.

Thank you for your questions, and I hope you find this advice helpful.

~~ Kelly

Hi,

I have a seven-year-old Shar-Pei/Pitbull mix that has never been bred and was severely aggressive when approached for that purpose.

Currently, she's approaching the third week of her heat cycle, and she seems more than interested. We have a one-year-old neutered male that she has been flirting with. My husband thinks we should take her to his friend's male Shar-Pei because she's obviously ready to breed. I hesitate because at this age I feel she's too old. She's in optimal health and condition, but it still concerns me.

~~ Marilyn

Expert Reply

Hi Marilyn,

I believe you should follow your instincts and refrain from breeding your bitch. After five years old, the uterus begins to loose its elasticity and the pelvic bones have a difficult time dilating. This could turn into a dangerous pregnancy that could require a C-section.

Personally, I never breed a bitch beyond five years old. That said, you may not even have a problem if you do go through with the breeding, but I wanted you to understand the possible risks involved.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out well no matter what you decide to do.

~~ Kelly

I have a three-year-old AKC female Chihuahua Can she get pregnant without bleeding or being in heat?

~~ Brenda

Expert Reply

Hi Brenda,

No, a bitch can't get pregnant without going through a heat cycle. The cycle is the result of a hormone fluctuation that signals the ovaries to release eggs for fertilization. Without this action, the sperm wouldn't have a chance of reaching the eggs.

That said, a bitch can get pregnant without appearing to bleed. Some bitches keep themselves so clean you would hardly know they are even in season. Some bitches also have what we call a silent season that doesn't appear to have any detectable signs. Although a silent season usually isn't a fertile one, this isn't always the case.

If you suspect your Chihuahua may be pregnant, you could ask your vet to examine her. The embryos can usually be felt at 28 days after the breeding. After this, you vet can perform an ultrasound to detect any puppies.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation turns out the way you want it to.

~~ Kelly.

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