Hi does anyone X-ray their bitch past 7 weeks to tell how many puppies and to anticipate if there will be any problems during labour? My vet suggested I do this (Toy Breed) and he said I can come into the x-ray room to settle her and tell her to lay so she wouldn't need to be sedated which he likes to do.

Or would another scan later on be advised?

*** Or would another ULTRASOUND scan later on be advised?

I don't scan, and would not normally x-ray.  And my two toy breeds don't normally go full term.

But when one of my girls had been in strong labour for an hour, I raced off to the veterinary hospital.  I wanted to know if there was a malpresentation, or very large pup.  Scans don't indicate size.

An x-ray, for a person used to them, is easier to give some indication of size.  I opted for x-ray.

I was allowed to stay with my bitch throughout.  As soon as I saw the x-ray I asked for a section immediately.  Even strong contractions weren't going to bring them down.  She had 2 pups actually side by side in the same horn.  They were jammed there.

With human births, there is no harm to mum or baby when x-raying and bitches are no different.  My bitch and her pups were totally fine.

But, is there a medical reason for wanting an x-ray, or another scan?

Hi Jean no there isnt actually a medical reason for one I just thoght it may be best because she is having so many puppies and I'm worried incase any are too big. Im probably just panicing too much. As my mam keeps saying if i keep looking for something to go wrong it probably will

Some months ago I watched an online whelping, where a lovely BSD Groenendael gave birth. The owners were very IT-literate so we had great webcam coverage and sound as well.... it was a fab experience and I watched for hours.

They were in the USA where it seems it's more normal for X-rays to be given. The bitch's previous litter was 11, but she'd been X-rayed this time and they knew ahead of time there were 6 pups and no more. It made for a much more relaxed whelping.... and as I know only too well through experience with my cats, you're never entirely sure if they are all out, and that often puts an edge of anxiety on top of the birthing, when all should be relaxing and catching up on sleep!
[More so with cats I guess, as they are renowned for having half a litter, then have the other half up to a day later - yep, one of mine did!!!]

> I just thoght it may be best because she is having so many puppies and I'm worried incase any are too big.

Swings and roundabouts come to mind!  :-)  :-)

If it's any consolation, I like a litter of two pups better than anything else.  :-)

This year I was deciding whether or not to mate a small Chi bitch, and dithered for ages before going ahead.  When she came in season, I took her back to the vet yet again to say are you sure that you think her pelvis is big enough!  She is the smallest I have ever bred from, but it is a self whelping line that I have worked on for what seems like forever.

My girls rarely look pregnant until the week before they have pups, and I've actually watched pups move down from under the ribcage, the day before birth.  You could see this bitch was pregnant from very early on, and her belly was swinging at 5 weeks.  I almost had a seizure, realising that they couldn't all stay up under the ribcage. It looked like they were having a party in there! 

For 3 consecutive days I stuck to her like glue, as I felt we were going to start very soon.  After 3 days I got on the motorway and raced to the veterinay hospital, phoning to say I need a vet ready to either scan or x-ray.  I stood her on the table for the vet - vet lifted up her tail - to find first water sac presented!  They gave me a room so that I could deliver the pups myself.  I have seen stronger hiccups than the contractions this girl produced, and she had a very easy delivery.  Pups weighed in at 2.5oz and 2.75oz and were very strong.  So your girl doesn't have to be carrying big pups - she could be the same as my girl - who had 5!!!!

I would never xray a dog, on my vets advice its not a must he only reccomends if you think there is a problem  during labour. and besides I wouldnt put her through thte stress of being pinned down using sandbags or sedated!

you can feel when there are no puppies inside your bitch, I guessed 4-5 pups in my bitch but I was told to expect 7 pups using a scan and i had 4 wonderful cav puppies, so wouldnt reccomend using a scan to work out how many pups. I simply let my bitch lay on her side and carfully counted the numebr of puppy movement (it sound rediculous but thats what I done) then worked tried to work out what was coming from where!