Hi All,
I am new to the site and having been reading all of the zillions of posting- very informative!
My bitch is 31 days into her whelp and yesterday I had her palpated by our vet. He felt 3 for sure. I am planning on having her x-rayed at 45 days to get a good count, but I was curious of all of your experiences with a palpation count number (e.g. what the palpation count was and what the actual number turned out to be.)

Thanks, would really appreciate your perspectives!

I've only had a bitch palpated twice - the first time the vet felt "6 or 7" and she had 4 ... the second time he felt 5, and she had 5. I'm assuming in the first litter some whelps died and were reabsorbed. I only use palpation as a confirmation of pregnancy, not to ascertain numbers.

I personally wouldn't X-ray unless it was absolutely necessary; if doctors advise against X-rays for pregnant women in case the foetus is damaged, I feel it must also be dangerous for dogs.
:)

Thank you! I appreciate your insight. I just did a key word search through the site and found that a number of people say the same thing about x-raying. I wonder why my vet prescribes to this method of determining numbers?? A scan would probably be the best route.

Thanks from Idaho:-)

For some strange reason X-raying pregnant bitches seems to be done quite commonly in the USA whereas in UK most people wouold not contemplate it.

Both palpation and ultrasound are generally only used to confirm pregnancy. Scans can be used to check that a bitch is empty if there is any doubt, but most people take any numbers prediction with a large dose of salt.

My vet palpated Miranda in her second pregnancy and told me at least 6.....

Double it & add 2 that's what she had!

My last girl was palpated at 23 days, the vet said at least 3 pups but didnt like to put a number on it, she was also scanned a few days after the palpation and they said at least 6 or 7, she went on to have 5pups, whether some were reabsorbed or they just counted wrong Ill never know. I too never take what the vets says with regards to numbers as gospel. They could be feeling or seeing one puppy 2 or 3 times but then they could see 3 pups and think it is the same one. Without x raying you will probably never know how many pupsyour bitch is carrying until she has them.

I too would advise against x ray, like some one else said if they advise against in with woman then surely there will be complications with dogs too.
As long as your bitch is healthy and happy in her self then I wouldnt worry about numbers, just enjoy her being pregnant.

Amy

I've said this many times on here, but I'll say it again. IMHO I don't see how anyone can palpate to diagnose pregnancy. I know some people say that can, but it's a big no for me. Sorry but I just find it hard to believe it can be done.

I would never x-ray for pregnancy diagnosis, but I would scan every time.  :)

A good vet can do it, Smudgley. I've given you his name before, and he's never failed to diagnose a bitch either pregnant (numbers close) or empty.

My vet has always palpated my bitches to confirm pregnancy & he's always been right that they have been in-whelp, just a little 'out ' with his numbers!

Thanks All!

I appreciate you sharing your experiences and stories. I am definitely enjoying my pregnant Golden right now, she is always been affectionate but now she is "dramatically" affectionate and will barely leave my side. LOL!

Fingers crossed for a healthy whelp!

Thanks from Idaho:-)

I always palpate to see if my bitches are pregnant.  I pick my time when she is asleep and completely relaxed lying on her side, it is not difficult.  What you feel is not what you really expect to feel the first time (it is more like gristle), but once you have felt a fetus then the next time you know what you are looking for.  I would think it is much harder though in a long-coated or thick-coated breed.  I only feel for the back 2 or 3 fetuses though, as then I am reassured that she is pregnant and that it is not a singleton.

It is a very gentle process this way, usually the bitch doesn't even wake up.  I always tell people not to try it on their own because I do worry that they will prod and squeeze, which is not necessary at all.