Hi all! This is my first ever forum post so please bear with me!

I had my medium sized gundog bitch mated on 3rd and 5th January. Both times they tied for 15-20mins and did it all on their own with no involvement at all from myself or the dogs owner.

What are the chances of her being pregnant after this?

She's been much quieter the last week and wanted her own space rather than sitting with the family. Her vulva is also slightly swollen. Are these all good signs?

I'm taking her for a scan on Monday but I've read so much about them coming back negative and the bitch still having a litter of puppies!
How accurate are the ultrasound scans?

Thanks!

It only takes one mating to produce pups. However, if you've read through the forum there are plenty that don't produce pups after one or two or even more matings!

It's a case of 'suck it and see' I'm afraid. A scan at 4 weeks should give you a good indication. But, as you've mentioned, some scans do come back negative and pups still appear. Worth asking your vet if there are no pups seen if they'll give you a free 2nd scan a week later. Many do, though some wont. Ultrasound scans are very accurate ... however the skill in the scanning lies with the scanner, ie the human element :-)

Sadly, just because dogs mate does not necessarily lead to pregnancy, for a whole host of reasons. Just as in humans. Hope you get the answer on Monday you're looking for :-D Do let us know!

So much can vary between bitches, but I had one of mine mated on the 1st and 2nd. She has been off her food for about a week, picking at it, she's been extra cautious and quiet and she now has the clear discharge and larger nipples. We're also having a scan on Monday but I have no doubt she is pregnant.

I'm crossing everything for Monday! :) She has just been sick too (only a tiny amount but I hear that's also a good sign).
Hopefully the vet I'm taking her too is an ultrasound pro! :-)

Yay! Ruby is definitely pregnant! The vet saw 4 puppies but said as they're so small at the moment there could be many more hiding??
Is this true?
The sire sired 10 puppies in his last litter (which was his first) and Ruby was one of 12 puppies (her mums first litter).
Is there a way to find out exact numbers nearer the time?

No unless you find a scanner that is very, very good, you cannot rely on numbers. I once had a vet tell me she saw one, maybe two, pups and the bitch had ten. My bitch was scanned yesterday as well, we clearly saw 3 pups but both the vet and the receptionist and the nurse all made sure to point out there could be more -not that I'd expect more than four max in this breed. It was the same last time with this bitch, we saw 3 and she had 4. The further on the pregnancy goes, the harder it is to count accurately so just take numbers with a pinch of salt. I knew my bitch was pregnant without a doubt, but I still scanned just to make sure she had more than one pup, as a single pup could mean a c-section.

>  The vet saw 4 puppies but said as they're so small at the moment there could be many more hiding??

Yes, certainly in the larger breeds they can be up under the ribcage. It seems easier to be accurate with Toys. Well, according to my (limited) experience that is!

I used Sam Wilkinson last time, she was accurate as to numbers, and according to the queue in the carpark she's extremely reliable. She will do a repeat scan if you want one, at no extra charge. She suggests scanning at 5 weeks and 8 weeks, if you want another scan doing. She's at Wey Farm near Guildford once a week, or she can come to you. I suppose it depends where you live!

Anyway, good luck with Ruby's pregnancy.

no dont rely on numbers my girl just had 5 pups she said 3 but dont think she has done yet x

To be honest knowing numbers is pointless at this stage, pups can be absorbed up to 6 weeks in whelp, and then you can have stillborn pups (last year my bitch was carrying 11 but only 7 live pups), so wait and see is best. 

If unsure if a bitch has finished whelping a vet can palpate or scan then.

Numbers in a litter are generally determined by the bitch based on how many eggs she had to be fertilised and how well the pregnancies establish, space out and have efficient placentas.

The person who has scanned mine I've always been told that they've been having one more than they've had, but I think it's good that he's able to tell me almost the exact number.