Just out of interest,for those who have had positive scan results (and I am aware that litter sizes aren't accurate on scans,and can sadly be reabsorbed)but what are your experiences/corrolation on scan and real litter sizes.

The times I have had scans done:
1. Told 3 or 4 pups, bitch had 10
2. Told "at least 6", bitch had 9.
3. Told 5 or 6, bitch had 6.
4. Told 1 or 2, bitch had 10.
5. Told 2, bitch had 2 but both dead.
6. Told 2, bitch had 3 but just one was alive.
7. Told "more than 7", bitch had 9.

Gosh a wide variation then,heart breaking about the still born babes though :(

we were told 4 but he thought he could see 5 at one stage but couldnt find the 5th again, we ended up with 5.

i was told 2 could be 3 but she had 4. i no there was 100% 2 cuz i cud see them

Told at least 8 - had 7
Told 3 - had 3
Told minimum of 6 - had 9

I have never known a scan be spot on, but i guess it does happen, what you find out is only as good as the person doing the scan, some vets are no good and for £60 plus you would hope for better, the vet told me he would not give a number, but just use it to comfirm whelp.

a litter recently born to my boy she was scanned and told more than 10, the scanner though it was 12 with 1 or 2 hiding up in the ribs, she went on to have 13 pups. It depends on how good the scanner is, a friend of mine had a ambulldog she was scanned at 9 then she was soo big they xrayed her and told her 11 she still went on to have 13 so they can hide anywhere. When i scn its just to confirm the pregnancy and make sure its not a single puppy.

When i scn its just to confirm the pregnancy and make sure its not a single puppy.

I think many of us expect too much from the vets who scan for us.  They don't do it every day of the week and therefore lack expertise.  I am fortunate enough to live fairly close to a lady who scans on a regular basis and is very accurate.  Of course, when she scans at 4 weeks, bitches can still reabsorb for another week or so.

I am reasonably happy not to know exact numbers, I like to know if we're having 1or 2, an average sized litter or 10+ so I have a more accurate way of knowing how to care for my bitch during the latter stages.

I once used a friend who had recently bought herself a scanner and been on the course.  She 'saw' 5/6 pups - bitch went on to have 2 absolutely huge puppies of which the first one was sadly stillborn - so I will always use a professional in future - lesson learnt the hard way....

I just had the scan to confirm that my girl was or wasn't in whelp.Not for numbers,I was just curious about the correlation in numbers :)

How many told that there was none and they had pups and no;s?

> When i scn its just to confirm the pregnancy and make sure its not a single puppy.

but when they scan and pnly see 1 puppy, how can you be sure that is correct also?!

Only 1 out number wise. Hes very good at scanning. He calls himself a keen amateur and he does all the scanning in the practice. I always ask for him if I need any sort of scanning, not just for pups and practice makes perfect.

Breeder friend of mine had her two last bitches scanned to be told 0 pups ... they went on to have 6 and 7!

My bitch was scanned at 4 weeks, I was told it was looking good, then at 5 weeks told she'd got at least 5 - she had 6. I believe it's hard to determine the number if they don't get all the 'blobs' visible on the same screen.