Hello everyone!
I'm new to this board and would like some advice.
I have a pregnant 3 yr old bitch, Josephine, she had a gap of 8 months between heats this last time. I consulted with three knowledgeable vets as well as the local teaching vet university and was told that it was no big deal for this large a gap.
So she finally came into heat, a split heat that is.... three times......over three weeks!!! (vets had never seen anything like it!!!) So we bred her each time she came into heat (with vets approval). Now, it has been 40 days since her last breeding, took her for an ultrasound this morning (fantastic images), the vet says she has 4-5 pups. No bones visible, by his appox estimation the earliest she would be due would be Christmas week. I don't know how experienced this vet is, as it is not my usual vet and by his own admission, he has been off by one or two pups in the past. The weird thing is, Josephine is in really fit condition, but looks like she has swallowed a football. I really thought we had an 8+ litter in that tummy. Even the vet asked me if she was to term, before I gave him any breeding info. Mammary development is also well advanced, we are going to have to put a t-shirt on her soon so she doesn't drag. So here come my questions:
1) Is 8 months between heats a big deal?
2) Is that much of a split heat (3 weeks) at all normal ???
3) Could she have concieved and then come back into heat without aborting?? Could I have pups from that first breeding and from the last coming out at the same time?? If so, can they survive if three weeks premature???
4) How wrong can the vet be about the number of pups? I realise this is a dumb question, but Josephine looks about the same size as my lab before she had 11 pups.....lord help me!
5) Finally, when would she be due???

Thank you guys for any advice you can give me!!

Debra

Admin edit: terms of service

Hi, welcome to the Forum!

I can certainly help with one point - yes, 8 months between seasons can be perfectly normal. All bitches are different in their timings - some are as regular as clockwork, whether 5 months, 6 months, or even 12 months between seasons. What was her usual cycle? I'm assuming this is her 4th or 5th season.

As for the rest of your questions, I'll have to pass - no experience of split seasons.
:)

Gosh, sorry, I forgot! Her cycle was smack on six months each time, so I got worried when she all of a sudden went to 8months, and called the vets about it.

My bitch usually goes seven to seven and a half months (not particularly regular,) but when we wanted to mate her she went ten months, and delivered quite normally, so I'd say thats no big deal (I'm sure they know what your plans are and like to keep you on tenterhooks). As for the rest, I'd be very interested to see if anyone has any experience, as mine had a split season for the first time this last season. How long did the season last from start to finish (including the bits in between)?  

Josie first came into heat on the 8th Oct, was receptive on the 15th, went back into heat, was receptive from 20th-21st Oct, went back into heat and was receptive from 26th-29th Oct.

I wd. think that she was in season all that time, just may of had a slight colourless season, but showed blood occasionally.  It's not unusual for a bitch to be mated on her 18th day.  We once had a Pomeranian who was away from the male for just over a month, she still ended up getting pregnant though and due to the dates it was after the month that she'd been away from the dog. 

Not the same as mine - she had a 14 day season, stopped for 10 days and then came in again and had her full 23 day season.

*sigh* Poor Josie, popped out long enough for us to have hope and then, bam, started bleeding heavingly all over again over the three weeks. It was a very frustating experience....

Have no experience of your breed, (saw it before it was edited out) but if its her first litter, she could have pups tucked under her ribs. When mine was scanned on her first litter the vet said four and she had nine. As for the dates, I suppose you'll just have to wait and see and be prepared - they will come when they are ready, and as long as mum and babies are okay, thats the main thing.

Umm, I'm a little confused, why won't the board let me put the name of my breed into my post , it might be relevant info.....

Because it could be percieved as advertising I guess

Welcome to the forum :)

Have to agree, the breed could make a difference in some cases, for example a long low dog could look very much more pregnant than a giant breed at the same stage, or even a toy breed.

It is left when relevant. It was not relevant to this thread. The terms of service are clear and questions on moderation should be directed to Admin off forum.

Hi, can't answer all your questions but will have a go at some:
8 months between seasons is no big deal
My bitch came into season 3 wks ago, took her to the vet for an ovulation test which said 2-5 days ( would have been 8th-11th day). Went to the stud dog (200miles away) & didn't look as if she was in season at all. Finally mated on her 17th day, then on 20th & 21st - I give up!!!
Yes vets can be wrong about the number of pups, but the size of the bitch is often not a good indication. One bitch of mine showed no sign until about 7 1/2 wks, then blew up to enormous proportions. She had 6 which is a decent size for the breed, but she was full of fluid - never seen as much!!
Good Luck with the litter - time will tell!