HI,
We recently adopted a Golden Retriever from the shelter. She was found as a stray so they knew nothing about her. She was found with another male Golden who was not nuetered. They felt her and said her uterus was not hard so if she was pg, not far along. She has been shredding paper towels since we got her (three weeks ago) and mothering small stuffed animals. I set up a childrens pool for her to get used to as a whelping box just in case she is pregnant. She puts the animals in there occasionally. We were guessing her to be around 5 weeks if at all. Is it possible for her to be farther since uterus was not hard at the shelter? This is our first dog, so I've found a lot of good info on this site, but still have no real idea what to look for. I've tried analyzing her teats. They looked big to us the day we got her. Is the teat different than the actual nipple part? If I try to express milk, do I just pinch the nipple part or do I grab higher? Sorry if I sound like an idiot--This is literally my first pet of any kind and I don't even really know which parts are which. We don't even know how old she is. I've gone ahead and ordered the book everyone mentions here. I'm worried she may be due any time and we don't know it. She licks herself a lot today including around her vulva area. Is that normal. We didn't notice this a few weeks ago. She sleeps all day too. No leaking though. She seems larger than when we got her. Any advice would be helpful. I'm looking for a thermometer. We just moved here so I've got some digging to do. So next I'll need to know how to take her temp.

Thanks,
Jennifer

If I were you I'd take her straight to your vet and get her checked out. He should be able to confirm the pregnancy, and give you some advice regarding her care. If you've got The Book of the Bitch, start reading. !!!!

liberty

Hiya, poor you...if she is pregnant, you have your hands full!!!!

You should really get her to the vet to confirm or deny pregnancy.

The teats, are the nipples....they're the 'nipples' that hang from the mammary glands, and thats where the pups suckle.

If she was shredding things 3 weeks ago, it is possible that she's having a 'phantom/false pregnancy' either way, you need to take her to the vet, so that you know what you're dealing with.

If, she is pregnant, the book of the bitch is really the best book you can buy....it has info on everything.

Take care, good luck

Lisa

Thanks for your replies. I did notice a little liquid yesterday morning as I tried to express some to check. It seems to be gone now. Perhaps it is a phantom. I tried to make a vet appt. We recently moved to Japan and it seems the English speaking person in the office is on Holiday until Monday. I'm not to worried yet, so Monday is fine with me. Pregnant or not she fits right in with our family and were glad to have adopted her. The kids just love her. They are hoping she is pregnant. I on the other hand....well, one puppy might be fun. Well deal with whatever comes our way! The shelter pays to have her injections done, but the vet they use can't get us in until end of August. I think I will just eat that expense Monday. I'd hate to think she got sick while I waited on the vet.