LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

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Hi Julia,

Many breeds, although not all, have a slightly deeper chest, and the tummy looks like it is "tucked up" a little higher when you look at the dog from the side. Greyhounds are a great example of what I'm talking about. When a female is pregnant, the abdomenal area becomes fuller and so the tummy no longer looks "tucked up". Some females recover their former figure after a litter, but some may never really look "tucked up" again. This doesn't matter much with the average pet, but it is important to the look of a show dog.

Hope that explains it for you. Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

what does it mean for a ... to loose her"tuck up"when she is pregnant whatg is tuck up

-- Contributed by: julia

Hi Ty,

This is a bit of a puzzler. The one thing I can tell you is that the puppies don't have enough bone density to show up on an x-ray until about the last week of the pregnancy, so a lot depends on when your dog's due date would be. I think you should question your vet again and try to figure out a possible due date based on the time your female was exposed to that male. In the meantime, keep a close eye on your little Chi in case she shows any sign of being in distress. If she does, take her back to the vet right away.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please let us know what you find out. I hope everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, My chi suddenly has a swollen belly, I brought her to the vet and he did an x-ray. He said there is fluid filled sac but he didn't see any pup's. She was around a male in july but I didn't think they got together. So my question is, Could she really be preg, what are the chances of her having a fluid filled sac but no puppies? Her abdomen is very hard, she is acting healthy, but sleeps alot and she goes through spurts of eating/not eating. She vomited several times in august but none this month. I'm really concerned because I didn't want to breed her this early, and we really did try to keep the dogs apart. This is a surprise to all of us.

-- Contributed by: Ty

Hi Maria,

It's possible that your dog could be pregnant, but at four weeks gestation, the embryos would only be the size of peas, so there normally wouldn't be a lot of enlargement in the abdomen just yet. The pups begin a rapid growth spurt beginning around five weeks gestation, so your dog should begin to look fuller over the coming weeks.

You mentioned that your dog's tummy feels really warm. Normal dog temperature runs around 100-101 degrees F. It may be a good idea to take your dog's rectal temperature just to make sure she's not running a temperature. If she is, you'll want to call your vet right away. Sometimes breeding can lead to uterine infection, and fever is often a first sign that anything is wrong. Hopefully this isn't the case with your dog, but taking the temperature will give you a better idea of what's going on.

We have another good article that takes you week-by-week through the common symptoms/events of pregnancy. Check out Canine Gestation. I hope you find it helpful.

Best wishes that your dog is in good health, and please let us know how things go. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 3yr minpin and she just went threw her heat cycle. We have a 1 1/2yr male minpin and we let them be together to do there thing. We didn't see anything but we both work fulltime so alot of gap there. Its been a lil over a month since her cycle and just the last few days she is not eating to much, sleeping alot, shaking somtimes and her tummy is big and really warm. She is a very loving dog and now she just looks at you from across the room. Does this sound like she is gunna have pups or do we need to take her to the vet ASAP! Thanks so much

-- Contributed by: Maria

Hi Toni, and welcome to the site.

If this only happens when your dog urinates, it's more likely that this could be a urinary tract infection of kidney stone issue. Pushing only occurs during delivery, and you would notice a lot of other behaviors like nesting, trembling and general uneasiness if your dog were in labor. I think it would be a good idea to ask your vet to check her out. That way you'll know for sure what's going on, and your vet can help if this does turn out to be a UTI issue.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Not sure if my chihuahua is pregnant but when she is urinating, she seems to be pushing hard like she is trying to get something out. Is that a sign?

-- Contributed by: Toni

Hi Alan, and welcome to the site.

If your dog is approximately 67 days gestation and you haven't felt anything, it is possible that this could be a phantom or false pregnancy. Many females come into milk around the time they would have delivered. The thing to keep in mind is that a single puppy litter can be difficult to detect, and the gestation period sometimes lasts longer than that of a multiple puppy litter. Just to be sure, you may want to ask your vet to check for pregnancy. This would at least reveal if there is anything there, and if so, if the pup is still alive.

Thanks for your question, and do let us know what you find out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Dear sir, my ... was serviced on the 13th june it is now 67 days later and her milks in but her tummy dont feel very big and I have not seen or felt any movement in her tummy. Do you think it could be a fantom pregnancy. Regards Alan Eames.

-- Contributed by: ALAN EAMES

Hi Jeanne,

A litter of 12 is quite taxing for any female. I recommend you purchase some puppy formula and begin supplementing the pups immediately. You can purchase puppy milk replacer at most pet supply stores. In addition to your female's current diet, you can also provide her with additional calories with a product called NutriCal. This is a nutritional supplement that comes in a tube. All you have to do is squirt a glob in your dog's mouth, and she will automatically lick to swallow it. It can be very beneficial in a situation like this.

Those are things you can do at home, but I also advise you to give your vet a call and ask for an appointment. It would be good to let your vet evaluate your dog's condition and offer further advice.

I hope this information proves helpful. Best wishes that every thing will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog had pups two weeks ago and she looks pitiful. she looked healthy and fit prior to getting pregnant but she had 12 pups and they are just draining her. we keep fresh water and food available constantly and we have begun adding meat to her dry food every evening. but she still looks homely. she eats as much as she wants so it is not that we aren't feeding her enough. we feed purina pro plan and like i said this past week we've been adding in meat as well but it just doesn't seem to be making a difference. i hate seeing her look so thin. any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: jeanne

Hi Donna,

I'm going to recommend you stop giving the dog biscuits unless the brand you serve says it's nutritionally complete on the label. It's better to serve a high quality kibble and let your dog feed freely on it. The table foods probably won't hurt, but they do taste better than kibble and so your dog will hold out for them and ignore her kibble if you continue offering her meat and eggs. During these last few weeks of pregnancy, it's normal for a female's appetite to drop off because there isn't as much room for her tummy as the pups grow. Still, it's better to keep dry kibble and fresh water available at all time so she can eat a little whenever she's hungry.

Overall, I don't think you have anything to worry about, but it would be better to make the improvements in her diet so she gets rounded nutrition. Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi,my Lhasa apso is pregnant shes due around the 15th june.am worried shes not eating enough.she wont hardly eat dog food now,only dog biscuit treats.av to feed her coldmeats & scrambled eggs.she is putting on weight, am more worried for the pups.x

-- Contributed by: donna

Hi Jeanne,

Yes, you probably can feel the pups a bit at this point. They are the size of peas up until the fifth week, and then they put on a spurt of rapid growth. I think you'll enjoy reading our articles about Canine Gestation and Delivering Puppies. There's a lot of good info there to take you through the end of the pregnancy. Let us know how the litter turns out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog was mated seven weeks ago and i think i feel some movement in her abdomen. is it possible to already being feeling the puppies or was it something else? is seven weeks the normal time?

-- Contributed by: jeanne

Hi Katie,

I can't say for sure, but your dog does seem to be showing some of the signs. Check out [[Dog Pregnancy Symptoms for a more comprehensive list of signs. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

we have a jack russell and it has been about 5 weeks since her last heat, so we think shes pregnant because her nips are grtting bigger and she is gaining alot of wait and about 2 or 3 nights ago she started throwing up for no reason. is she pregnant?

-- Contributed by: katie

Hi Jalisca, and welcome to the site.

At six weeks gestation, the pups are just about to go into a growth spurt. You'll want to wait until the last week of pregnancy for an exam because the pups are easier to view when they have mor bone density. That said, it does sound as though she could be pregnant, so go ahead and treat her as if she is, and get a whelping box ready for her.

I hope this info helps, and please keep us posted on what happens.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, 

We have a yorkie and she went into heat around March 10th I believe. We have a much smaller male yorkie and the plan was to wait until the fall to have them mate... however my husband is in Iraq and my brother and roommate from college have been living with me and let me just say they were not always compliant on keeping Zoey in her room. I think she is pregnant, her nipples are really starting to grow and she is super clingy. She hasn't gained much weight at all and it's 7 weeks after March 10th, which means she would be about 6 weeks pregnant? When should I go have an xray done? I had an ultrasound w/ our last pregnant dog and the vet told us we were going to have two pups and there was only one and we wasted $180 rushing her to the vet thinking something was wrong when there was ever only one pup, so we really are just up for the x-ray this time. I can't really differentiate if there are more than 2 heartbeats, etc. I work all day and so I have to take her to the vet on a Saturday for an xray so should I take her this Saturday, the 2nd or the 9th for an xray?
-- Contributed by: Jalisca

Hi Kelli,

Unfortunately, you won't be able to listen to hear the puppies if there are any. Right now, they would be the size of peas. The will begin to gain size rapidly around week six. Some of the other symptoms you describe are typical of a pregnant ..., so for now it would be a good idea to treat your dog as if she is pregnant. Feed her a high quality food and let her eat as much as she wants. Take her for walks so she stays toned and doesn't become obese because that would make delivery more difficult. Bet sure to set up a box she can use for whelping, just in case she really is pregnant. If you let her get used to the box early, she'll feel more comfortable using it when and if the time comes. You might want to check out our article on Delivering Puppies for more useful info.

Thanks for your question, and don't hesitate to come back if you have more. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hey! I have a mix breed little girl named Dixie who is almost a year old (estimated age, she was a stray). Her and my other Dog Dawn (almost 2) came into heat at the end of february. The heat cycle ended on approximately March 13. well, I ended up having 4 stray males come around and my slick little puppies managed to get out and disappear for a few minutes on numerous occasions. I live in the country on a big area of land and we've been working on getting a fence in but currently don't have one. Well needless to say, Dawn has had no weight gain or anything. However, Dixie, who loves her food, went through several days where she hardly ate, she's had a significant growth in the nipples, as this was her first heat cycle, and she's gaining weight, though she just looks a little overweight rather than pregnant. I can't really feel any movement, but when i try to listen for a heartbeat, all I hear is fluid movement. I'm trying to figure out whether she really is or is not pregnant without having to take her to the vet because I really don't have the money right now (long story). She's always been very clingy to the point that if i get up in the middle of the night, she gets up and follows me, so I really can't say there's a difference there, and sometimes she's super lazy but just a little later, she's running and jumping and rolling in the grass. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: Kelli

Hi Mitzi,

Based on the changes you mentioned, it's likely your dog is pregnant. The embryos don't really begin to gain much size until about six week gestation when they grow rapidly. You'll probably notice a difference in about two weeks. As for the vulva, it does tend to stay slightly swollen, so this could be another clue to your dog's condition. For now, it's a good idea to continue treating her as if she is pregnant and prepare a box for her to use when delivery time arrives.

Thanks for your question, and be sure to let us know what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

if a breeding is successful and the dog gets pregnant, will her vulva remain swollen or will it return to the size it was before she came in heat? my girl was bred four weeks ago. she has been a very picky eater for the past two weeks, snubbing her nose at most everything. she sleeps a lot now and seems to tire quicker than usual. i don't see any weight gain but her tummy now has a firmer feel. before it was "pudgy" and now feels sort of solid. i can't really tell a differnce in her nipples, seeing as how they are already saggy due to a previous litter. her vulva looks like it did before she came in heat, just 'softer' looking. she was only mated once, during the middle of her cycle so i don't know if that one time was enough or not. i was worried because she does not seem to be getting bigger, but since she was only bred one time maybe she is only carrying one or two babies? i just don't know though. does it sound like she could be pregnant?

-- Contributed by: mitzi

Hi Adrian,

Even a one or two pup litter will produce at least a little enlargement of the abdomen unless we're talking about a large breed female. If we're talking about a dog as small as a Chihuahua, you'd definitely see a noticeable enlargement near the end of the pregnancy. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

does a dogs abdomen have to be enlarged even if its a small litter?

-- Contributed by: does the abdomen get enlarged if their is a small litter

Hi Francesca, and welcome to the site.

What your dog's current behavior and body changes mean depends on whether there's a possibility she was bred during her recent heat cycle. If she was, or if she was at least left unsupervised where a male dog could have had access to her, the changes might mean she's pregnant. If she was totally supervised during her heat cycle and was never around a male dog, the changes are likely due to her recent hormone flux, and should disappear soon. However, some females go into a false pregnancy after a heat cycle and mimic some of the signs of pregnancy. If this is the case, this too will go away in a few weeks, and there's nothing you really need to do for it.

So, if there's any chance your dog was bred, you may want to take her in to your vet for a blood test to see if she's pregnant. If it turns out she is, be sure to come back and check out our pregnancy articles on the site. There's a lot of helpful information here.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have a small yorkie and she has just ended her period about 3 weeks ago. She has been growing breasts and shes very affectionate lately. She rests a lot as well. What does this mean?

-- Contributed by: Francesca

Hi Celeste,

I can't say for sure whether your dog will need a C-section, but the chances are higher if she is extremely small. The best thing you can do is go for a counsultation with your vet now to discuss everything. The vet will give you an educated opinion, and at least he/she will expect the possibility of performing a C-section around the time of your dog's due date. Additionally, you might want to give your vet a call when labor begins just in case a C becomes necessary. You read a little more about this in our article on Delivering Puppies.

Thanks for sharing your question, and I hope this info helps. Don't hesitate to come back if you find you have more questions. We'll help any way we can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a little pomeranian chihuahua mix dog, and i was wondering if it would be safe for her to deliver her pups normally or if I should take her to the vet for her delivery? She's just so little, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle the strain of labor.

-- Contributed by: Celeste

Hi Tina,

There's no guarantee your dog will become pregnant from these matings, but the chances are better than average, especially if the male managed to tie her. You won't be able to tell much for a while, but your vet can perform a blood test for pregnancy about three weeks after the heat cycle ends. It takes about that long for the pregnancy hormones to build up enough in the bloodstream to be detected.

For now, it's sort of watch and wait, but good luck that the breedings were successful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, thanks ahead for the help -so if my ... mated finally after 3-4 days of the stud just smelling her -does it finally mean that his wild non-atop behavior of constantly mounting after his constatly just ignoring her... she should be pregnant correct? i don't know what els to think-- he ignored her flirting on days 1-3 then on days 4-7 he just finally did as much as he could with the small parts he had.. obviously i want a good breeding -- after the ignoring I hoe his non-stop mouting her

-- Contributed by: TIna Tina

Hi Cass,

How exciting! Yes, those first pups usually come a little closer together. Once they are out, it can take a while for the pups that were further back in the uterus to work their way forward. It sounds like you and Emma both did a great job. In a couple of weeks those pups are going to be cute beyond belief! Glad it all turned out well. It would still be a good idea to take your dog in for a post delivery check up just to make sure all the placentas were expelled and that mom isn't running a fever. My vet always gave an antibiotic shot to stem off any infection from setting in.

I'm glad it all worked out so well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi. Well make it 6. She has 1 more female at 1204. 3. 5 hrs after #5. I couldnt feel it. She had been out to potty, had ate and drank and everything. Thought we were done. And hope we are now. All pups and mom r doing GREAT

-- Contributed by: Cass

THEY ARE HERE!!! She started at 4am and had 1st pup @448a, 2nd @ 519a, 3rd @ 550. Thought we were done. No moving pups that I could feel. Well 4th @ 820a and 5th @ 840a. It is now 1030a and I believe she is done. I brought her water to her and a few snacks. She ate and drank and went back to her pups. 3 males and 2 females. All doing well, all have ate at least twice. I did have to open sacs for her, other than that she was great. Did cut 3 of cords do to her chewing so hard she was lifting pup up. Thank you so much for keeping me sane and prepared more than the $87 charge I got from vet who said nope! No pups. :) Thank you again kelly. Can i post a picture anywhere for you to be able to see.

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Janice,

It sounds like there's a strong chance your female is pregnant, but I can't say for sure. Being just 2.4 pounds, she may have difficulty delivering the puppies. If she strains for an hour to deliver one without success, take her to the vet immediately. As a former Chihuahua breeder, I can say that we wouldn't breed a female this tiny due to the likelihood of complications. I truly hope you don't have any problems, but be prepared to rush to the vet if necessary.

I think it would be helpful for you to read our article about Delivering Puppies. It will give you a good idea what to expect and what to watch for.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Cass,

A drop down to 96.9 is certainly a good sign. Keep me posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

1/28. 7:30pm. Temp has now gone dwn to 96.9 she is in box. In and out of box today. Whinning a lot as wanted anyones attention. Hopefully tomorrow I can finally say the puppies are here.

-- Contributed by: Cass

I have two chihuahuas my famale candy went into heat the last three weeks of nov. 2008... i never seen them mate yet came home to a swollen male and our female screamed when we tried to pick her up. this happend twice. this is her third heat and she has had a false pregnancy before but not for this long. her teets in the back are larger and she has taken to sleeping with me , she has never done this before. she also sleeps more on her belly than on her sides. her tummy doesnt look much bigger but her hips are widder than normale . the vets here charge a lot and they want to doso many thigs that i cant afford to take herto them. also will her valvo in large more if she is pregnant the closer she gets to the due date or stay the same size through out? I am really worried she weighs only 2.4 lbs. and my male weighs 3 1/2 lbs.what are her chances of beign pregnant this time? please help .every one seem to think she is due to her broadness i just dont know for sure.today is jan.28th 2009

-- Contributed by: janiceB

Hi. 1/28 10am. Emmas temp dropped this morning to 98.4 she is in and out of her whelping area. Up and down it. Nesting. Light panting. Whinning some. This is gonna sound so funny but Im on the floor beside her and she seems to want me here. She follows me where I go today. Will update later. Thank you again so much

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cass,

It's possible you were mistaken about when the bleeding really stopped. The entire heat cycle is typically about three weeks long. During the middle of it, the bleeding lightens to a pale straw color. At this point, many people think their female has finished. However, the bleeding usually darkens up a bit as the cycle goes into it's third week. Perhaps this is what happened with you and your dog. The male could have bred her again later than you originally thought.

So, you're most likely right about needing a new due date, and it could be a full week beyond what you originally expected. Hopefully the vet check on Thursday will give you a better idea of just how far long your dog is. Let me know what you find out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kelly. It is 1/27 9pm. Wow this is all so crazy. Still no pups. Still feel movement. If no puppies by Thurs. Evening we are taking Emma back to vet. I figured if i know she stopped bleeding around 11-15 that would give her 2 more weeks to breed? And that would put pups by 1-30? Im confused.

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cameron,

Our article on Canine Gestation has a lot of the info you need. Milk development usually comes later in the pregnancy but sometimes not until the puppies are born. You'll notice that the back teats are typically larger that those that are closer to the chest. As for tummy size, you may not notice much weight gain until after six weeks gestation. Until that time, the pups aren't much bigger than peas, but from that time on they go through rapid growth.

Check out that article and let me know if you have more questions. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Ashley, and welcome to the site.

We have a lot of good pregnancy info here. Check out:

As for taking your dog's temperature, that is only for the last week of the pregnancy. You take it once in the morning and once in the evening about twelve hours apart. When the dog's temperature drops down around 97 F and stays there for two consecutive readings, the dog should go into labor within 24 hours. However, if you're not sure exactly when your dog was bred, there's no way to be sure when to begin taking the temperature. No problem, just have a box lined with newspapers and old towels ready for her to get used to ahead of time so she'll feel comfortable using it during the delivery.

Thanks for your question, and don't hesitate to ask more after you've read those articles. I really think they will help you a lot. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I will, can you tell me when her nipples should grow and which ones start growing? And what her stomach should look like, its big, but not as big as before...She likes to jump up and down off the couch, I try to stop her but she does it anyway, Is this bad???

-- Contributed by: Cameron

this is my first time with my dog going though this so im kinda like a first time learner. how would i check the temperature and whats the best thing to use??? im not compelety sure if she is pregant inless one of my dogs got ahold of her and its to much to take her to the vet, she is showing sings but like you said its could be false pregancy! i had a dog before who got pregnant but she never ever showed anything, she didnt show she had milk till the day she had them but i had a feeling she was but wasnt sure. but back to the dog i havee now. can you please solve my question???? thanks

-- Contributed by: ashley

1/25 10:00 pm. Last 4 readings have been 99.4. Still no puppies. Yes, they are very active little ones. Im guessing 3. I can still hear heartbeats also. She is acting the same and fine. Will keep you updated. I must have been way off on date. Im guessing since I know she was done bleeding around 11/15 that she should have them by 1/30. We will see. No signs of distress well other than her belly getting bigger. :)

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cass,

Good to know you were able to take her temperature. Keep taking it about twelves hours apart and right down your observations so you can see if she actually goes down to around 97 F and stays there for two readings. This would signal impending labor if she truly has a litter.

Are you still feeling puppies moving? They get very active during the last week of gestation as they get into position for labor, but then they go quite quiet as though they are saving up energy for the big event.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi. It is Sat. 1/24. 5:40pm. No puppies. Emma is doing well. Hasnt been sick since. No change really. I was able to take her temp yesterday and it 100.2 and today she let me do it again in morning it was 99.4

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cameron,

Good to know all is well. By the way, I used to breed and show Chihuahuas. Just let me know if you have more questions.

The weight log is a good idea. You can track any weight gain and the info may be useful to your vet. Be sure to let me know what the vet says at her examination. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Cass,

No, there's no need to stress your dog by taking her temperature if she really objects. Just keep watching her. If she continues to vomit phlegm you should give your vet a call. While a dog sometimes throws up during labor once, I've never had one do it repeatedly. She may have picked up a cold virus on top of everything else that's going on.

Just watch the hernia and let the vet know if it suddenly gets bigger or you notice anything else unusual about it. It probably won't cause a problem since it was a small one to begin with.

Okay, that's it for now. Keep me posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

1/23- Hey thanks Kelly! Sweet Pea had been walking a little earlier, her weight yesterday was 7.5, I am starting a Weight Log for her now so we can see if there's any weight gain until her appointment, (her checkup is on Feb. 4th) before we even began thinking about this! LOL Ive been reading everything on the internet about Chihuahuas since the 21st. I could almost repeat verbatim the instructions. She has settled, not as tired today, but she IS resting. In fact, she's laying beside me now on the couch. Im going to let her go outside now.

-- Contributed by: Cameron

hi. It is noon friday 1-23. No puppies. Can still see and feel movement though. Got sick (clear phlem) twice while I was taking kids 2 school. SHE WILL NOT LET ME TAKE HER TEMP. I worked in the medical field. And was thinking not worth stressing her??? She is on my lap sleeping. Will update later. I only have internet through phone and am so happy and glad it handles all of your sites. My family thinks Im goofy. Im just happy and nervous for her. The 1 thing I saw I forgot to mention is she has a small umbilical hernia. Watching closely. We were planning on getting it removed after 1st heat cycle. It hasnt gotten any bigger in 2wks. Dont get me wrong its bigger than it was before but not bulging and not big. Thanks again, hope I dont seem boring or a bother.

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cameron,

It's very possible that your Chi could be pregnant. Vets can usually feel (palpate) the embryos in the uterus on day 28, so your mom might want to schedule an appointment. If the vet can't feel the embryos, he can still perform a blood test to look for pregnancy hormones.

We have a few articles on the site that I think you'll find very helpful in the event that your dog is actually pregnant. Check out:

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Cass,

If your dog hasn't already delivered, you can try taking her rectal temperature. She'll experience a drop down to around 97 degrees F that will stay that low for two readings taken 12 hours apart. That drop may have already begun. Your dog will need a box and newspapers to shred for bedding. This will help her stop pulling at the carpet.

From what you describe, it sounds as if your dog is in the early stages of labor. Let me know what happens, and don't forget to keep Delivering Puppies up on your screen in case you need last minute info. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

-8:03 PM-CST-Thursday-Jan. 22, 2009- I think my computer has resubmitted or something...SORRY!-I forgot that my mom said she did move around a bit today; but she has done little walking around, she got off the couch a couple times, but for the most part, she has sat right beside me-Im about to take her outside to use the restroom and get some fresh air!

Please Solve my questions!!!

-- Contributed by: Cameron

Hi I have a Chihuahua that keeps on having the signs of early stages...I wanted to get a second opinion. Here's what happened: on Dec.26 or 27, we were at my grandfather's house; he has a mid-sized dog (aprox. 15 pounds or more). Sweet Pea (our Chihuahua) slipped out of the door and was not noticed. It was about 10-20 minutes (or more) that she was not noticed until my mom went to the door and saw Sam (the dog) right at the door behind Sweet Pea (not in intercourse) but she was trying to get back inside the house. She had some Vaginal Discharge a few weeks ago (seemed sort of like a light period) a little blood was present. Then she stopped eating her food for a significant period and my mom thought she might be sick, over the days, her stomach area has become slightly enlarged and some weight has been gained. She has been laying around (more than usual), she has had periods of enlarged Vulva. Her little tummy has grown! My mom was home today and she said Sweet Pea was resting all day. Last night she showed some hormonal things like not wanting to be bothered and growling if you tried to think about moving her while she slept...I think that she might be carrying puppies it has been about 26 days so far! Please tell me your opinion!!!

-- Contributed by: Cameron

Me again. It is now 5:46pm 1-22. Emma is going all over my house licking the floors and carpet, she is even biting some at the carpet. She acts like she keeps wanting to get sick. She did get sick once. She clear phlem. She has the hiccupps now. But calmed down and is sleeping. I wondered if it is going to be tonight???

-- Contributed by: Cass

well it is 01-22 4:25 pm. I noticed a clear goopy (sp) stuff just kinda laying inside her vagina. Her vagina is open slightly. What do i expect at this point? Thanks again Kelly.

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cass,

Well it certainly sounds like something is going on in there. Our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding has some good information you might find useful. Keep us posted on what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi. Well today has been an active day inside the womb. I can really see movement now and can feel as well. Emma has been sleeping more today and clingy. She is really always clingy. Very happy loved dog. Friends tease us that she should have a chair at the table, she always talks to everyone it is funny. She is my baby. I thought if i saw them hooked on nov. 15 her due date would have been jan. 16? And that is the only day that i know of for sure, but my boys are out back and she could have been back there with them. I was under the impression that they could only get pregnant during active bleeding, this is why she was allowed out with them. Not that we arent happy because we are. We have 2 sons ourselves 7 and 11 and we wanted them to have this experience. Just didnt know this soon. This is her first time in heat. I grew up on a ranch and experienced all kinds of births and i feel it is a great lesson on respecting any type of pets etc. I will sit tight for now and see. Thank you soooo much

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Cass,

Hmm...this is curious. Your dog's due date from the original breeding would be January 21. Puppies usually have enough calcium density in their bones to show up on an x-ray during that final week of gestation. Are you very sure about that breeding date? It is also possible for the sperm to live a week or more in the canal before fertilization occurs, so perhaps this is why you might feel a puppy that the x-ray didn't detect.

You have a few options here. You could ask your vet to repeat the x-ray or perform a sonogram instead. You could even ask for a blood test to check for pregnancy hormones. Any of these tests should be able to confirm or rule out the pregnancy. Or, you could sit tight, continue to treat your dog as if she is pregnant and see what happens. If this is just a false pregnancy, she'll return to normal in a few weeks.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what happens. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i took my speagle to the vet on 1-13. Took xray. He says he saw no pups. I thought she locked up 11-15. It is now 1-20. Last night i noticed milk leaking. Also felt movement of some sort in her belly as did my husband. (wanted to make sure it wasnt wishful thinking) she looks pregnant and is clingy. No nesting yet. I do know around 11-15 is when she stopped active bleeding. So did she get locked later and i didnt know? And help would be great.

-- Contributed by: Cass

Hi Kim,

I think chances are good there's a litter on the way. Your vet can tell for sure with a blood test. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I bred my Great Dane 27 days ago I have noticed she has knots in her boobs. kind of a belly pooch sleeping alot and very very clingy i swear she thinks we are twins LOL. do you think she's preg i let her breed for 3 days one day they locked twice in 1 day the the very last day they were locked for 20min or so he tried 2hrs after the breeding she was very agrssive to him she wouldnt allow him to rebreed.

-- Contributed by: kim

Hi Kayla, and welcome to the site.

Let me put your mind at rest. There is virtually no chance an eight-week-old male could impregnate your female, so you don't have anything to worry about there. Males don't become fertile until about four to five months old, and they usually aren't capable of completing a breeding until they are six to eight months old.

That said, as long as no other fertile male had access to your female, everything should be alright.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 1 1/2 year old chihuahua was mounted by an 8 week pitbull but i don't think his penis went inside. The reason i said this was because I stopped him as soon as I saw him hump a few times, i mean it wasn't long at all, maybe 2 humps. My dog couldn't possibly be pregnant, right?

-- Contributed by: KAYLA

Hi Sarah,

If your dog has most of the signs of pregnancy, there's a good chance she's carrying a litter. Your vet can confirm or rule out a pregnancy with a blood test to check your dog's hormone levels. It's a simple procedure, and it will let you know whether or not to prepare for a litter.

Thanks for your question, and be sure to come back if you need more dog pregnancy info. We have information on every stage. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

i think my dog is pregnat but i can't tell she has most of the signs. please help

-- Contributed by: sarah

Hi Kerry, and welcome to the site.

When you say your female is getting thick, do you mean around her mid-section and tummy? If so, there's a good chance she is indeed pregnant. Some females breeze through a pregnancy with no other outward signs than a growing belly. That said, your vet can quickly solve the mystery with an ultrasound to check for puppies.

My advice is to continue to prepare for a litter. That way you're ready no matter what happens. Check out our article about Delivering Puppies for tips on what to do if your female goes into labor.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My ... was breed on her 12th and 13th day of heat but going into her 8th week and hav'ent seen any signs besides she getting thick could i have failed in this breeding

-- Contributed by: Kerry

Hi Inger,

If you caught your dog on the right day, you should get a litter. The sperm remain viable for a few days after the breeding, so eggs coming down in the next couple of days could also be fertilized.

As for food, if you're already giving your dog a high quality kibble, it's alright to just let her have more of it as her appetite increases. You can begin adding a spoonful of cottage cheese to her dinner each day about two weeks before her due date. This will provide added calcium to help milk production.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, my dog was left for crossing on the 11th day of her heat and only once, are there chances that she will becme pregnant. and what type of food should be given for her.

-- Contributed by: inger

Hi Vince,

The puppies go into a growth spurt around six weeks, so there's a chance you'll be able to feel something in another week or so. It's possible that your dog only has one or two pups tucked up under the ribs, and you might not be able to detect them until they move down for labor.

For now, continue to treat your dog as though she's pregnant. If this is a false pregnancy, you'll know in another two weeks. Your vet could check sooner, but with so little time to go, it may not be worth paying for the exam.

Thanks for your question, and I do wish you good luck. Let us know how it turns out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, my beagle is now 42 days/ 6 weeks pregnant. Her nipples are alive but her stomach isn't really growing yet??? Is she pregnant??? but though I felt something hard in the stomach, is this normal? or shouldn't the stomach be growing intensely already?? And this is her first time in being pregnant, is this normal???

-- Contributed by: Dog Pregnancy

Hi Bob,

If your dog just started her cycle three to four weeks ago, she should have just finished. By approximately three weeks after her cycle has ended, your vet can do a blood test to check for pregnancy hormones.

As for your dog's behavioral changes, they could be tied to the hormone shift of the heat cycle. If so, your dog should return to her old self in another week or two if there is no litter on the way.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, about 3-4 weeeks ago my eight month old ... started her first season. She is kept in a secure garden but we live in an overseas military camp and have many stray dogs in the area. for about a week or so she has regressed and began bed wetting and urinating in the house despite the doors being open and regular walks. Her have enlarged and she has soft swelling beneth them. She has also taken to sleeping in a corner in the garden despite having access to her bed. At what stage couldour vet be able to tell if she is pregnant. Regards bob.

-- Contributed by: Bob

Hi Melissa,

Dogs typically have a heat cycle twice a year, although some females are on a once a year schedule. Is it possible she could have been bred at that time? If so, she would only have about two more weeks until delivery. Your best option is to take her to your vet for an exam. The vet may be able to detect pups by feeling the uterus, but a simple blood test will reveal pregnancy hormones in the bloodstream if they are present.

In the meantime, go ahead and check out these articles. They may come in handy if there is really a litter on the way.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

how often does a dog go through a heat cycle? my dog had one about a month and a half ago. she's only had that one in the 6 months we've had her and now she's exhibiting almost all the late pregnancy signs!

-- Contributed by: melissa smidt

Hi Crystal,

Even though it's not the best time for a female to conceive and carry a litter, it is possible from that very first season. Continue to watch for symptoms, and don't be afraid to consult with your vet. A simple blood test can reveal a pregnancy. It would be better to know sooner rather than later so you can make sure your puppy gets the extra nutrition and care she needs to support a litter as well as her own development.

Best wishes that everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Im still not sure if my dog is pregnant. she is only 9 months old. can that happen?

-- Contributed by: crystal

Hi Stephanie,

Personally, I don't think this is urine. It sounds more like amniotic fluid is leaking. If it's at all possible, try to collect a sample to take to your vet so he/she can examine it and tell you exactly what it is. You'll sometimes see this happen when delivery time is close, but your dog really shouldn't deliver before 58 days at the earliest. Are you very certain of that breeding date?

Since we can't be certain of what's going on until your vet can examine a fluid sample, I recommend you keep your dog as calm and quiet as possible. You want to avoid having her go into labor because the pups would likely be too immature to survive.

Best wishes with the entire situation, and please send me an update when you find out what's going on.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My female was 53 days from first breeding when I noticed long, stringy, clear mucous after pottying. Later that after noon when I went to let her out to potty again, there was a pool of clear fluid, her tail and feathers on her hind end were soaked. My vet says this is possibly just leaking urine. Temp is 99.9. Not acting like labor is immenent. I have whelped several litters, but this is the first time I have seen this. This is a maiden .... Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Stephanie

Hi Lori,

Your dog would be approximately 52 days pregnant at this point with slightly less than two weeks left to go. Do you notice any of the signs listed above in addition to the breast development and clinginess? These last two weeks are your best chance to feel the puppies move. Lay your hand gently on your dog's abdomen for a while and see if you feel any movement. Try this several times throughout the day to try to catch the pups when they're not napping. Hopefully you'll feel their presence.

It is not absolutely necessary to have X-rays taken as long as you have the vet perform a post pregnancy checkup after the pups (if any) arrive. This way you can confirm that all puppies and placentas have been expelled from the uterus. This is necessary for your dog's health.

I think you'll also find the following article helpful:

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info useful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i mated my boxer on may 19th shes a little bit bigger now nipples are ok{big} the vet i use will only do xray and its very expensive399.00 for 2 xrays if i spend that money i wont have enough money for a vet if anything was to happen to her,, can someone give me some more signs,,shes loosen alot of hair very clingy ,,i was told the xrays arent allways accurate

-- Contributed by: lori
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