Working it out to the day my dog would be 50-57 days pregnant (if she is), I have taken her to the vets and they cannot feel anything because she was too tense, and the ultrasound didnt show anything at all.

I went into hospital in the beginning of March - my dog was in season during this time so I did not want to put her in kennels - I paid a "friend" to go and feed her (she has access to the garden 24/7 through a home made dog flap), change her water etc and just to spend some time with her, I was literally unable to move so it was not an option to come home myself to care for her.

About a week after I came out of hospital she was a bit sickly for 2 or 3 days, she was fine except after about 20 -30 minutes of being fed she would vomit, I just put it down to her being overly excited because for nearly a week she was constantly jumping around me and exceptionally lively to normal, last week I noticed her ribs were looking rounded and thought she may have needed worming -  I found it strange as she was only wormed at the end of February so I took her to the vets for a check up. I was asked if she could be pregnant as her stomach is very tense and I said no as I was adamant she wasn't pregnant.

I asked my "friend" if she was around any dogs when she was looking after her and was told no. So I lied and said that the vets confirmed she was pregnant - initially she said she may have got out of the garden when no one was around, I told her it is near impossible for her to get out and back in without anyone noticing because its an 8ft wall around the garden and she would have to jump at least 6 of them to get onto a street - she then admitted she left her dog at mine while I was in hospital because it made it easier for her to with work which has infuriated me as she has a part time job of 12 hours a week,no children and was being paid £150 a week to literally feed and water my dog because I never walk her when she is in season so was not allowing anyone else to walk her, her husband is the one who pays the bills she is pretty much a housewife minus the children - which is why I thought she would have been the perfect solution, especially as I couldn't inspect kennels or home boarders due to being unable to move.

I am petrified now as she has not been spayed on vets advice because she has trouble regulating blood sugar and if her sugar levels dropped while she is under anesthetic her heart would be stop and if they would be lucky enough to get it going she would probably be brain damaged. She has so many health problems including (not limited to) epilepsy, blood sugar problems, allergies to pretty much everything and also a neurological disorder that causes her body to spasm (not related to the epilepsy).

My vet has suggested a C section when labour starts (they have said they will spay her at this time as well) but I am so scared to agree to this - because I know there is a higher chance she could die than the average dog.

Can anyone offer any advice please! She is 6 (nearly 7), I had her from someone who was going to put her down when she was just 6 months old when her illnesses became apparent. I am not bothered about the cost of things I am worried about her life - this will make me sound like an awful person, but I don't even care about the potential pups at the moment they are not here and therefore do not mean anything to me. She has never had a litter and should not be pregnant now.

Also has anyone ever spayed a dog with low blood sugar problems? if so were there any complications and advice to avoid any ? She used to have attacks up to 5 times a day but we seam to have it under control with free feeding, and using a scoop of lactol in her water, the problem is with spaying they have to starve for at least 8 hours and by the time the surgery is over and she would be able to eat it would be at least 12hrs far too long for her to go - she would not be able to stay at the vets over night as they have no OOH so would either have to come home or be transferred to an OOH service and kept on a drip until she was her self again.

Gosh what an awful situation for you! First question: what size is your dog? (When it comes to pregnant bitches we cannot mention breed here, but whether she is toy sized or bigger could make a big difference.) If she is a very small dog I would opt for the c-section as giving birth for the first time at such an age could be really difficult indeed for a small bitch. Also is your friend's male dog a similar size or bigger?
I don't have any experience of the low blood sugar problem, but certainly all your girl's health problems are very worrying -not just for herself, but for any pups as well. Epilepsy for instance can definitely be inherited.

I'm surprised though that the vet did not see anything on the scan -fingers crossed that this means she is not pregnant as certainly by this time it should be very obvious. Some bitches give birth as early as day 55-57. Have you noticed if she has any clear discharge at all? Are her teats bigger and pinker than normal? Both are very reliable pregnancy signs.

She is not a toy breed she is about 2ft tall but very slender,  the father is a bit shorter but stockier than her.

The vet said if she is carrying pups they could be carried high?? which apparently (from what he was saying)means that they are under her rib cage - if that is possible.

Her teats seam larger but the vet said it could be a phantom pregnancy (which I am praying for!). No discharge though.

I have been looking online since registering here and it says you should be able to feel movement by now, but there isn't any signs of movement - Hoping this means she is not pregnant.

My girl is 58 days and I have felt no movement, and I rarely have with any of mine

I guess it varies between breeds, but unlike Brainless, I have always felt movement in my bitches -in fact by day 52 or so I can SEE the pups move when mum is asleep. But yes, there could be some hidden up under the rib cage, that is a possibility. I would expect to see a clear discharge though. And the teats really should be huge at this stage, 3 to 4 times bigger than normal, and quite possibly filling up with milk. (Some bitches get milk several days before giving birth, others not until they have whelped.)  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you but you better be prepared just in case with a quiet whelping area for her, and not leave her alone.

It's such a shame the vet didn't suggest an injection of Alizin to terminate a pregnancy as it can be used up to 42 days post mating, but I am assuming out didn't know that soon?

With the high chance of these pups inheriting problems from their Mum A c section spay now so pups never take a breath might be best, though rather unpalatable.

I'd be surprised if she is pregnant with no discharge, nothing on ultrasound  and no puppy movement at this late stage. Try to relax and take it as it comes. She is likely to have an easier time if you can stay calm.

Gosh, with friends like that........... I really do not understand why your friend would do that knowing your bitch was in season, is she not quite right? I mean an accident yes, but to purposely leave them alone whilst she was working, she can't be right in the head, this is an on purpose situation and being so.........she needs to be accountable for ALL vet bills, just for starters, she would be off my Christmas list pronto.

I too am extremely saddened that your vet did not offer a termination prior to being overtime, to me it is madness and has put your bitch in danger not doing so.........but as you and he are not sure she is even pregnant I see no point in talking of c-sections anyway, she needs a scan/blood test to prove once and for all whether she is pregnant, that way all worries can be taken away.....so FIRSTLY back to the vet, to make sure, this needs doing now!

If she truly is in whelp........I'll be honest.....if she were mine with all of these health problems, epilepsy, blood sugar problems, allergies to pretty much everything and also a neurological disorder that causes her body to spasm even if she recovers from a c-section, rearing pups, having to produce milk, no sleep etc, motherhood alone could cause her to have fits or worse.

I honestly would still terminate this litter, who knows what kind of pups it will produce and the longer she is in whelp the more strain on her body.

I truly would put my bitch first and hope and pray that she will make it through a c-section. And I would absolutely take this friend of yours to court to pay for every part of it, what a horrible person to do this to your poor girl, who was never in any fit state to be in whelp, I am spitting blood here for you and your girl, what a nasty person she is to do this.

I hope that your girl will be ok, you don't need any of this worry......I feel so sorry for you, please get back to the vet for a definite answer.  {{{hug}}}

> I honestly would still terminate this litter, who knows what kind of pups it will produce and the longer she is in whelp the more strain on her body.

That is what I already said.  As the vet plans to spay at same time as C section it should be done sooner and pups not brought to term/not revived.

Probably to late now.

Have you had her scanned yet? Or blood test to confirm pregnancy? If it was your usual vet did they not advise terminating by medication without need for c.section?  Thirty days a blood test should reveal if pregnant.
Hope your "friend" has offered to pay for the vets trips and doesn't dog sit for you again. They should have told you straight away about the incident it's not right at all.

The OP did say the scan showed nothing.

Agreed Carrington....who needs enemies when your so called friend does this! And then even lies about it,she should have just been truthful. An awful situation.

If they had been truthful right away a set of two injections of alizin would have sorted the problem

I have been trying to work out how to reply direct to this thread. but not sure how so I will repy to my post instead.

My dog went down hill Saturday night, she was pretty poorly.

Took her into the emergency vets who opened her up - apparently she was pregnant but terminated the litter herself (apparently they can do this?) but it was past the date that she could "handle herself" and it caused her to become ill, which is why the scan showed up nothing. I am not really sure what they are on about and don't really care about the ins and out to be honest - but they said Saturday would have probably been when labour would have started. She has been in the emergency vets now since Saturday night(visited her yesterday and today - although I felt totally unwelcome).

The positive is that she has now been spayed but the negative is that she has had at least 6 hypoglycemic related seizures, and also countless epileptic seizures (although I think they are all hypoglycemic related - they can be hard to tell if you don't know her)  she is on a drip but she isn't maintaining a good blood sugar level. and they cant send her home until she is eating because of her illnesses - although I think she would be better off home here recovering as I have been dealing with her now for the last 6 years, and I know that syringing her 20mls of convalescence milk every hour when she is unwell keeps the attacks at bay, her hydrated, stops the weight loss and its whole lot less stressful for her!

I am hoping she will be well enough to be transferred to my vets tomorrow and that I can bring her home!!!

Not sure whats more stressful the fact she is in this situation or the fact I cant fix it!

a blood test was offered but she would have had blood tests in a couple of weeks which is why I didn't want them taking blood from her, Now I wish I had maybe it would have shown something up.

I do hope that your girl is soon home with you.  And I know that they do so much better when with you.  When a dog trusts you they are totally at ease.

I cannot say what I think of the person who looked after your dog when you were in hospital, I would be banned.  Just to say we're thinking of you.  Sending positive vibes. 

I am so upset! I have never left my dog with anyone, and the one time I do, it wasn't out of choice, and she ends up in this situation! I don't trust kennels (which is why I wouldn't have her put in) and I am weary of boarders as you don't know who these people are, so I chose her because she only works 12 hours a week. At least I have arrangements in place with someone I know I can trust with her, its not ideal but the person has agreed that she will will call in first thing in the morning and in the evening to take her for a walk and check top up her food when I need to go in to hospital in the future.

I am a bit annoyed with the emergency vets - I know they have saved her life (but that is what I am paying them to do), bu they are frustrating me not listening to what I KNOW works for her and their attitudes are well yes okay but we are the professionals. I know that they are qualified but I know my dog is not going to respond well to strangers and it will just be more stressful for her.

As long as she gets through this at least the silver lining is that she is now spayed! Even if it is under these circumstances - it will mean she won't have to be kept confined for 8 weeks of the year then - sounds stupid but right now her being alive and that she is spayed are the only 2 positives I have t the moment!

Hang on in there.

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Keeping everything crossed that she will get through this okay and soon be well. It's a blessing really that there are no pups. I'd seriously consider sending the bill to the person who caused all of this.......

I am glad there are no resulting pups, had there been I would not have allowed her to feed them and I would not have been able to rehome them anyway as they would probably have had some if not all the problems she has - and it would be unfair to expect people look after a dog with so many issues, It is just so frustrating that it came to this.

I will not be sending her the bill - I am a superstitious person to some  extent and I would be constantly worrying about consequences of asking for the money back. Our long time friendship is now in tatters, and I can honestly say I am not upset about it at all  - I am saddened, frustrated and angry that someone who I should have been able to trust to look after my dog has put her in this situation! As I said before the only reason she wasn't spayed was because the risks outweighed the positives, and as far as I was concerned I was careful enough to ensure that she never came into contact with a male while in season so she was never going to be in this position.

I am going to be clinging to my phone from 9am tomorrow waiting for my vets to call, the emergency vets said that as long as she is stable she will be transferred first thing in the morning. I will give my vets till 11 before I contact them as they will be busy after the bank holiday and I do not want them to be rushing while dealing with my dog - I am really going to press for her to come home tomorrow - my own vets are pretty good and understand that I know that she is better off at home and not locked in a cage.

Keeping fingers crossed for you both. What a horrible, stressing and emotional roller coaster for you and your dog. I hope your vets as they know you and you know your dog's needs more than anyone let you bring her home.
This could have been avoided if your "friend" had been honest and said I made an error, I'm sorry this happened" right at the start. This could have all been avoided, mind you if she had of fulfilled the terms of your agreement it wouldn't have happened at all. I wonder if they are aware of the stress/pain to you both? Least if you don't ask for costs I'd at least write and advise her of the consequences of her actions. If they ever dog sit for anyone else they may have learnt a vital lesson.
Tlc hugs xx

So very, very, sorry that this is happening.

If your girl is now only being kept in to make sure she eats, I agree with your stance and get her home, you can demand her return hun, vets very often make us feel that we have no choice but you do, and you are absolutely right your girl will recover much faster, she will eat and drink better at home with you and all your TLC, for a dog to have all of her problems being in the vets unless sedated will stress her all the more, so get her home now fast.

Your 'friend' has almost killed your dog, have no worries about sending her the bill, if it goes to court I would also add in all of the pain and suffering from both you and your girl. I hope that she does have a conscience for what she has done.

Myself, and I know everyone else here wishes your girl continued recovery, bless her, poor, poor girl.

If you need to go back to hospital or a holiday (gosh you need one) etc, please just ask on the board for your area and if we know of any dog sitters you can leave your girl with, it would be a better option for her, always best to use people others recommend. In your shoes I would also have plumped for your 'friend' as it did seem ideal, not your fault at all.......you did the right thing.........but unfortunately, we do not always know people even though we think we do, please don't beat yourself up.

Wipe your tears now, and be strong for your girl, she needs you and you need to get her home where she belongs. {{{{HUGS}}}

How did things go today?  We are all anxious to hear how your girl is.

Thanks everyone for your kind words apologies for not responding sooner.

She was transferred to my vets first thing yesterday, and I picked her up from there at 2 yesterday. She continued to have fits in both vets but she has been home here now since 2pm yesterday, still not eating but happy to drink on her own Royal Canin convalescence milk. She has not had any medication though today except antibiotics because I she has had enough stress over the last few days without dealing with a fight with her to take them, but has not had a fit since yesterday around 4.30, so I am convinced they were not epileptic seizures at all just a result of low blood sugar.

I am hoping that she will eat some fish, she has turned her nose up to chicken, lamb and beef so far but fish is a treat so hoping she will eat some of that, and I can get her medication back into her. (its normally given mixed in with her food so she takes it easy)

Hoping she is back to herself very soon.

Jut a tip, in case it helps.  When I have dogs refusing tablets, rather than having a fight over it, I buy pate.  They rarely refuse a tablet wrapped in that. 

Now I put mine in a bit of cheese triangle.