My bitch was mated on 4th September and again on the 5th September, a tie of 25 mins was obtained on the first day then she closed completely up and had 2 slip matings on the following day.

By our dates she will be 5 weeks tomorrow, we took her for a scan at the weekend just to confirm and get a rough idea of numbers (I know scans are not 100% reliable for numbers)

The lady that scanned her said she definatley saw one puppy but there was possibly 2.. Our girl wouldn't keep still long enough to get a proper look but that the puppies were younger than what we thought and they were only about 25/26 days going by the scan, she said that taking that into consideration there may be more puppies still in the 'implantation' process so wouldn't be able to be picked up on the scan so she may have more.

I thought implantation took place around day 20-21 so what is the likely hood of there being more than 1 or 2puppies? The reason I'm asking is that I know there is a higher risk of c-section with singleton or even just 2 puppies (smallish toy breed) so I need to have more help on standby if she is only expecting one or 2 as a trip to the vets will prob become more likely with a low number of puppies than if she was having more.

Would you go by the scan saying 25/26 days or by the original mating of which she would be 5 weeks tomorrow?

I'm fully aware that she could also reabsorb these '2' puppies yet so not getting too prepared or excited for the moment, she definatley looks pregnant her mood had changed right from when we fetched her home from the mating, her nipples are well and truly up and her tummy is also firmer (compared to what it normally is)

This is our first litter and although we have help from friends who do breed and have bred for years no one is able to offer advice with regards to the outcome of the scan this weekend.

Thanks in advance for any replies :)

Honestly have no idea about implantation etc, but just to say I once had a vet scan a bitch of mine saying there were one or two pups -and the bitch had ten.

Oh gosh that must have been a shock!

I think the average litter size for this breed is around 4/5 with 8 being considered a very large litter and quite rare!

The scanner thought that as she'd not conceived until 2-3 days after mating the sperm would have been old which is why we may only have one or 2 in the litter, I've read books, and searched the net but can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for

I would have thought you would take the 63 days from first mating.  Most people breed over several days and eggs are not always ready to be fertilised so your in the same position as most breeders regarding dates.  I do think it would be worth going back for a 2nd scan though as quite often the numbers are way off if scanned too early.  You might get a surprise if you go back for a 2nd scan :-)

>  I do think it would be worth going back for a 2nd scan though as quite often the numbers are way off if scanned too early.

How long would you wait before having a second scan? I've only ever had one scan done, mostly just to confirm pregnancy. This time the scanner told me to leave it until 5 weeks before coming for the (1st) scan.

well even if she was only 25 days (on scan) at the weekend, next weekend she would be at least 32 days so any pups should show up. 

The lady said we should take her back for a re-scan in 3 weeks time if we were in doubt about the pregnancy (mainly because of the reabsorbtion possibilities being high as she was still early on) but then at £55 per scan she's of course going to suggest that! That was a private scanner, the vets wanted £70 to scan and told us we couldn't be with her during the scan so that for us was not an option at all.

that is a lot of money for a scan i pay 22.50 and i have a friend that just paid 35.00 for a scan and can go back for that as many times as i want as well

I've been quoted £35 and for that I can have a repeat scan at no extra charge if I want. She suggested I leave the first one till 5 weeks because of the possibility of reabsorption.

Before this one, I've just used our vets and have been present throughout, and helped with holding the bitch too.

£55!!!  Thats dearer than me vets!  I would be asking aout for another scanner.  Try posting on here, put your area down and someone should know of a good scanner reasonably priced.

After speaking with a few people and being told that when they pay for their scan they are able to scan again without any charge, one lady said she can have as many scans she wants for her £12.50!!!

I emailed the scanner to ask if we would have to pay again if we had her re-scanned, to be told that yes we would and the only time she offers a free rescan is if the first scan is negative and doesn't show any pups and a rescan has to be on her premises which is a good 45-50 mins away.
The whole scan lasted approx 10 mins so for me the price we were charged was rather steep, didn't really have the scan explained either were just told that yes def one puppy but maybe two she wasn't sure, this lady however had very good reviews on her website.

So in a nutshell we won't be taking her for another scan, what will be will be and we will most definatley be on the hunt for a new scanner should we need one in the future.