Hi Everyone,

I've posted on here over the last several weeks regarding my bitch that has been mated
and I am no further on to knowing whether or not she is pregnant!

To cut a long story short she had a scan two weeks ago and the vet could find nothing. 
I was convinced there was something going on with her and they suggested a phantom. 
The vet took a blood sample last week and they sent it away for testing (its a small practice
and not worth their time buying in kits) to find Relaxin.  The test came back yesterday and
said it was a WEAK POSITIVE??? Does anyone know what this means?  Even the vet
is confused and is going to ring the lab and enquire. 

I had a free scan carried out today (she should be approx 51/2 - 6 weeks) and the vet
still couldnt find anything.  However, the vet was not amused with me as last time she was scanned on her side and I said that she was to be scanned standing or sitting as it way too stressful for her.  I'm glad she is not my usual vet and hope that one day she gets taken off her high horse! I am not giving up hope that she is carrying some pups as she has a very large deep ribcage and I am sure her chest has expanded at the sides rather than her tummy.

If anyone has had any experience of weak positives I'd be grateful if they would let me know.

Cheers

Andrea

same thing happened to me last year,weak positive result and saw nothing on the scan,my bitch is big ribbed too and she had a phantom,just looked the same when they are pregnant,sorry for negative reply but at 6 wks pregnant they should be able to see them.

Just been through this myself. Keatah was due to have her pups yesterday. A bigger than average rib cage was the only change. From around 5-6 weeks I just knew she wasnt going have any pups.
It is sad but these things happen or dont happen for a reason. Goodluck in the future.

Thanks for your replies, it does make me realise that it can happen even with all the best planning in the world.

The vet rang tonight and explained what the results of the Relaxin blood test meant.  A level of 20 and below means a negative.  My dog's level was 22-23 which is a weak positive.  When the blood test was taken she would have been at the maximum 39 days or at the minimum 34 days.  Even at 34 days her level should have been more than what they found. 

The reasons could be:

1.  She was pregnant and re-absorbed them.
2.  She is carrying only 1 small pup.
3.  She has a naturally low level when pregnant, or a higher than normal average level when not pregnant.

The vet has said by all accounts I should assume that she is not pregnant but keep an eye on her.  The lab that ran the test are interested and want to know if she does go on to have pups.

I will let you know what the eventual outcome is but at the moment I am not holding out any hopes.

Andrea