Anyone have some pros and cons? I'm planning to scan from forty to forty five days to lower the risk of reabsorbing, and the scanner will come to my home, but what do you think? I'm really just scanning because my bitch is small and I want to make sure that she doesn't just have one or two very large puppies that she won't be able to whelp.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

xx

I don't believe scanning causes reabsorption -it just shows pups you'd otherwise never have known about, making it LOOK like it was reabsorbed due to the scan, when it would have been anyway.

I agree with Goldmali, I don't believe scanning causes re-absorption either, I have my own scanner and my girls are scanned regular, never had a problem with it, I scan purely to see if pregnant rather than numbers though.

I didn't do it on my last litter because that bitch is way too stressed at the vets and it wasn't worth stressing her.  I did with the current one because although this one doesn't like the vets it wouldn't have stressed her out like it would have her mother.

A few months ago we were at a really good reproduction seminar by one of the top people in the country and the question was asked about scanning and reabsorption etc...  I already didn't believe it caused reabsorption, but the reply confirmed what I already believed.  She said if scanning caused reabsorption there'd be a lot less human women having babies first off, and secondly that the timing of the scans is about the same time that puppies that weren't viable would likely be reabsorbed anyway.  But that scanning itself, or even the stress of scanning, wouldn't cause it.

I wouldn't count on it for numbers though - as pups can reabsorb, or can be miscounted or missed.  But as an indicator of definite pregnancy, healthy pregnancy and an idea of 'more than a couple' it's good.  I definitely stressed a LOT less this time because I had confirmation where last time my girl hid them way up in her ribcage and it wasn't till after the 5th-6th week that we really knew for sure.  So it was totally worth it for my peace of mind this time round.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone, that's a huge help. I too wouldn't scan if she had it done at the vets because I would fear for stress, but she's very happy to have people come into the home (and I hope that's true when she's carrying!) and will be far more relaxed if the scanner comes to us.

Thinking we're going to scan at 40 days and then 50 days, that way we get an idea at least. I'm not fussed with how many she has, just so long as she's safe when she whelps them.

Thanks again, guys!

My girls are very relaxed going to the vets, so scanning is never a problem for us. Do check with the person you're using to scan though as to their preferred days. My own vet likes to scan at 4 weeks, and he gives us very accurate results at that time. I only really scan for 2 reasons, first is I use CHV jab, so like to know if pregnant before doing second jab, and secondly ... I can't wait to know!!!

Oh that's a good point. We're hoping to get the first jab this week if possible.

My bitch is showing a lot of attention to herself, is this normal? I suppose it is as she still has to finish her season. She also will not leave my neutered boy alone, at times actually crying at him and shoving her lady bits in his face.

i thought 1st jab was given bfore mating?? then 2nd at the end before pups are born?? x

I've read a lot of conflicting advice about it, some say before, some say exactly seven days after, some say 24 hours, some say five hours. I really don't know, so I'm calling the vet tomorrow.

I do after mating, though the data sheets imply it can be done when first comes into season. 2nd before pups are born.