Hi all. Before I start, can I just say what a great resource this forum is. I've read it for years and each time I read it, I learn more - it's great.
I'm wondering if any of you might be able to give a bit of reassurance, as I'm fully aware that I'm being paranoid! Anyway, this will be (fingers crossed) our first litter and although I have a lot of support and help from people in my breed, I was just wondering if people could help me with more general points?
The background: My foundation bitch (rough-coated medium hound) was due to be mated for the first time during her 3rd season (aged 2 and a half) but the dog didn't perform, so we've tried again at this season (she's just turned 3, but has only really grown up mentally fairly recently so I wasn't unhappy with the delay). This is a litter that has been planned since she was much younger and I am hoping to keep a daughter from this litter, as her lines are excellent, she has done well in the ring and, conformation-wise is considered to be one of the best bitches in the country in this breed. There are no entire bitches left from her lines, so she is also useful in what is a relatively small gene pool. Needless to say, she also has a fantastic temperament and is everybody's best friend.
She had a textbook season, with discharge turning light pink on Day 10, straw-coloured on Day 11 and even paler on Day 12, so was mated on these days with a 20+ minute tie each time.
The next day, she plonked her bum firmly on the floor and wanted nothing more to do with that game. She had a few days of darker blood then nothing. She has a heavy coat though, and is scrupulously clean, so it can be difficult to tell. She is now 26 days past 1st mating and is going to be booked in at the vets for a scan this week. Unfortunately, my vets only scan initially between D28 and D30, so am hoping to make it D30, which would be D28 after last mating.
Since she was mated she has been very lethargic and affectionate, but still eating as normal. She has become larger around the ribs and her nipples have been 'perky', so I have been very hopeful. A couple of nights ago she was being sick and then eating it (nice!), but other than that we've had no morning sickness. She does seem to be swallowing a lot at times and licking her lips as if she's nauseous, but not being sick. Her favourite place is hiding under the decking, but she hasn't been near it since being mated and she hasn't been excited by anything other than going for a walk, which is unlike her as she's a very outgoing and happy girl. I was feeling very positive, especially as she has become protective of her stomach and doesn't want people to touch it (not aggressive, just pulling away when someone goes to give her a tummy rub, which is one of her favourite things).
All that changed a bit today. I have noticed over the past few days (from D22 or 23, really) that she has been drinking more than usual and, probably as a consequence, needing to wee more often. She woke my husband up at 4am yesterday to ask to go out for a wee, which hasn't happened since she was 8 weeks old! Then, yesterday, she was very grumpy and stand-offish and went to hide under the decking for a few hours, refusing to come out until she was given a treat. The main thing that is worrying me is the possibility of her not being pregnant but having picked up an infection. I have read/heard of bitches changing to become more affectionate etc (which she was), but this sudden change has me worried. Is this usual for a bitch who may be pregnant? In previous seasons she has always drawn her season out for longer, still flirting with our neutered boy for a week or two afterwards and then has gradually gone back to normal.
Obviously if infection is a possibility then I will get her down to the vet's tomorrow. Please can someone give me some help/guidance on this one?

i would say not to worry and she seems fine!  she sounds alot like my last bitch who had 5 puppies, now 9 weeks old.

It sound like she's showing the classic symptoms of morning sickness, with my bitch, it was for a week between 21- 28 days. Nothing I gave her to eat could tempt her & then suddenly she seemed over it.

I'm not sure about the excessive drinking, but my bitch did get us up a couple of times in the night during this time for us to let her out. What was strange is that she NEVER comes upstairs, yet she was outside our bedroom door whining, then racing for the door!

If you have a thermometer, I'd be tempted to take her temperature, as if it's high, then a chat with the vet at least might be in order.

Good luck, I hope it's nothing to worry about, and just her hormones raging :)
Tanya

my girl started drinking lots in her last couple of weeks,  but it wasnt till then that she showed alot of signs (although she was scanned so we knew she was in pup).  in her first few weeks she became more affectionate and wouldnt go for walks, they were her only signs

Ah this sounds like a very special dog and a very well thought out mating.... If she were mine I would tell the vet briefly what you have told us as I expect he will take her temperature anyway which will indicate any infection.

As for the behaviour changes, all normal.  I've had some that don't change a bit and others that change completely.  I've also had bitches change completely just from being in season.

I think all you say points toward a normal pregnancy but ask the vet to put your mind at rest since you are taking her in anyway.

Best of luck, keep us posted :-)

Thanks for the reassurance! She got up on the bed last night and was sick at about 4am (just a bit of grass), so fingers crossed all is ok - she seems more like her usual bouncy self, though. Rang the vets today - when I rang last week to check times/prices etc I was told by the receptionist that it had to be D28-30. Today I was told that was too early (which I didn't mind as would prefer not to have to go back as I worry about what she might pick up at the vets), so she's booked in for Monday afternoon on D33. Fingers crossed!
The vet also suggested taking her temperature just to reassure myself. I was going to buy a thermometer anyway this week - does anyone have any suggestions as to type etc? Was reading quite an old book 'Breeding a Litter' last night (American, 1993) and they talked about putting the thermometer strips (which I remember my mum getting when I was younger) in the bitch's groin to take the temperature. Has anyone tried this or am I better off going for an 'in the bum' one?
Sorry to ask, but haven't seen that question answered on here already, so thought I'd check?

Has anyone tried this or am I better off going for an 'in the bum' one?

Hi, l always used a digital one, the ones that peep when they have been in for the required length of time. I was never very good at reading the "old fashioned" sort LOL. Unfortunately, these are the  'in the bum' ones.

glad she seems better in herself.

I use a digital thermometer 'in the bum' as you put it lol, very simple with just a little hibiscrub on it first so its gentler.