my bitch is 22 days from first mating with good 20 min tie and 20 days from second, again good tie.  She was palpated by a vet today who said that they couldn't feel anything.  She has enlarged teats, but they are still big really from her litter last year. She is also seeming to gain a little weight around her ribs (widening) slightly, but I could be just willing this to happen.  I am really feeling deflated, has any one else had this before? How sure is palpation??

Some vets are very good and some are not!!! Why dont you try the blood test. They test for relaxin in the blood, this is only apparent in a pregnant dog. This was the method that I chose a couple of months ago and now I am surrounded by puppies!!!!
Dont be too down, things could be going really well and you just dont know it

I've never known a Vet palpate before 28 days, when they are feeling for a string of pearls.

also feeling at this stage can be dangerous. was she lying on her side? at this early stage thats the only way to feel. i would wait longer or get a scan -again a bit later its still a bit early for that

I have had mine palpated at 25 - 28 days in a medium size breed, I don't think you woudl get a reliable result earlier.

I agree, 22 days is very very early, i personally have mine scanned at 28 days. In fact on one occcasion the vet palpated before he put the scan over her, he felt nothing but the scan showed otherwise and she went on to have 8 pups. I no how desperate you are to find out, its like waiting for christmas, but another week will make a world of difference to the diagnosis. good luck.

I have also had the opposite the Vet being very sure by palpation the bitch was in whelp but not eing able to find the confimation on sht scanner,but as I ahd paid for a scan a scan I was going to get and she spent ages and ages trying to do it and eventually found 3 after I gently sugggested she needed to scan higher.

My current Vet is very good at palpation and less expert at scannign so if palpation confirms pregnancy I dispense with the scan.

pregnancy diagnosis everyone has their own preferred way, but I think we mostly agree 28 days is the time best to detect whether, it palpation, scanning or bloods, but at 22 days dont give up hope there still a very chance your bitch is in whelp. fingers crossed

thanks everyone, I am sure she is, she was sick for a few days last week, doesn't eat so quickly and seems to be getting tired quicker than usual.  still i guess time will tell.

just to keep all informed, I am having my girl scanned this afternoon,thankfully, hopefully I will know one way or the other after that. I did have alot of trouble getting her booked in anywhere though, regular vet fully booked, normally charge £30, another local one doesn't have a scanner?!! Another said tuesday but £60??!!  Called my regular one back and they had a cancellation so got in this pm. Didn't realise prices varied so much?

Come on put us out of our misery, is she or isnt she? my fingers are aching from being crossed for you. cheers di

yes she is vet wouldn't put a number on it, saw at least 2 but all I really wanted was confirmation so its all good!!

congratulations, keep in touch and let us know how things are going. cheers di