I have been sent through the post a leaflet on
Relaxin, the first blood test that can be carried
out to see if a bitch is pregnant.
It says that it can be performed 30 days post-mating
and will give 100percent accurate result in ten
minutes.
The vet has to take some blood and perform the test
for you.
This sounded quite interesting, however of course
we dont know costs yet or how accurate it will be.
If anyone has heard of this or has used this test
please let me know.
Nutkin

Some friends of ours used a blood test recommended by their Vet to test for pregnancy in their bitch.

It came back negative.

When the bitch was about 6/7 weeks into her non-pregnancy, the people phoned their Vet to tell him the bitch had milk and was showing all the signs of being pregnant.

The Vet said it was a phantom.

At 9 weeks the bitch gave birth to a litter of 4 healthy and lovely puppies.

This sounds like the same test.
I wouldn't use it after what happened to our friends.

Well Sharie, that can happen with a scan too you know....it happened to me.....scan showed no pups, three vets all said no pups there 'cos I was so convinced she was in whelp......... a month down the line, 9 pups arrived!

hi
Relaxin is found in the blood only if the bitch is pregnant, ruling out phantoms etc. I have just had all the new literature sent to me and it sounds good, this is a new test , so it wouldn't be the same as the previous posters friend, I think it would be worth a try for dogs that are difficult to feel and phantoms.

I must admit I wouldn't believe, scans, blood tests, feeling for the puppies at 3 weeks etc.
I have heard too many tales of being told there are no pups and then litters arriving!

i would let nature take it course.why put the bitch under so much stress by going to the vet, which they donot like going when they are in a normal contition,hopefully you all have plan to have a litter at the right time to suit your routing in life,but again there some time when you need to do these test,eg unplan litter,bitch unwell,ect,so there are fore and againt all methods,but my route would be if the bitch is well in herseft then let nature take it course,plus its more cost out of the pocket.

My lot have no objection whatsover in going to the vets and happily go into either examination rooms or surgical/hospital block. It probably helps that if they jump up with their front feet on the counter (something they do not do anywhere else) the receptionists will (after asking my permission) give them a biscuit.

I would not bother with a preganancy test- they either are or they aren't and there is nothing you can do about it. The only time I would have a scan done is near the end of pregnancy if I think they might have just one so that I can book them in for a ceasarian if they show no signs of producing within a few days of their due date as I have found that they won't go into labour if there is just one pup.

Christine

I do not think I would have this test done.
I normally know my bitch is in pup due to any mood changes
which starts at 4 weeks. We are always sure at 6 weeks.
However a lot of people can not tell. I had
someone contact me last year and used our dog at stud.
At six weeks the lady contacted me and said her bitch looked
no different and she took it to her vet who told her that
it was not in pup. He just felt. No ultra sound. She was
upset and called me. However her bitch had 9 pups three
weeks later. Honestly these vets think they know.
Also I helped my mother in law with her spaniel (cocker).
Her vet told her when the bitch was 6 weeks that it was
too tiny, and she would be lucky if one pup was in their.
That little dog had 10 pups. We nearly died as we thought
she would have between 4-6 puppies. So I expect a blood
test would be helpful for people that just are not sure.
Nutkin