Hello. I am a very proud devoted owner of 2 *****. Bella who is a 5 yr old entire Bitch ( never been spayed as has allergy to anesthesia drugs) never had a litter ( we've been very careful !) and then there is Toby who is an 11 month old entire Dog. ( I don't believe in neutering/ spaying before 12 months of age - They deserve to finish growing before we intervene) However, we are normally most careful at keeping Dog and Bitch apart duriing the crucial times, No excuses I just plain neglected to be 100% careful and forgot to separate them for half a day, My Son alerted me "Mum why is Toby humping Bella".....aaaaarrggghhhh    I separated them immediately and they didn't achieve a 'Tie'...... My question...... Can a Bitch become pregnant despite the fact that  'Tie' wasn't formed when mating.

If there is to be pups, I have the time and the finances to be able to cope, my only concern is for Bella and her wellbeing. Any advice about post coital contraception would also be most appreciated.

A Very ashamed & worried
Martha.

There is a pretty good chance she is pregnant, can I ask what will happen if she needs a c-section?  Also 5 is old for a first litter, I think it would be safer all round if you got her to the vet for the mismate injection.

Sorry if it's not what you want to hear.

No need to be ashamed if you get straight onto it and do the moral and honourable thing. Get her to the vet and get the mismate injection. Plain and simple no need for worry.      Some vets prefer not to do it till 2-3 days after the mating so you will be fine.   :-)

I am guessing you have had a male and female "pairing" before when you say you are always careful a few times , if the dog is only 11 months old then at the bitches previous season he probably wasn't able to mate her anyway as he was a baby. This has to be the first season that he could have caught her so your first experience at keeping " these" pair apart. 

I wouldn't let this litter progress even if it was a suitable mating.  All bitches have a chance of requiring a c-section when having pups if you bitch is allergic to anesthesia she could possible die without assistance.  To me this would be the most unethical decision of the pair and most risky.

A more modern drug called Alizin can be used right up to 45 days after mating.  I think it is given at teh earliest soem days after mating, and the Vet would have the bitch back in to eithewr scan or palpate at 28 days to ensure it has worked, and if not there is still time to treat again.  This drug is a lot better with fewer side effects than the old mismate jabs.

Accidents can (and do) happen.   If this is not a mating that you would have deliberately sought, then I would take her to the vets on Monday, and discuss the "antimate" injection - as Brainless says - its Alizin.  

I know that it would give me peace of mind.

Margot

Thank you all so much for such prompt replies...... I will be at the vets on Monday Morning enquiring about the Mismate Jab. I cannot let this go ahead as the vet has said he would only anethetise Bella as an absolute last resort for any reason., and I cannot risk losing her she is my everything !!!

For your interest here is the info site for the drug: http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Virbac_Limited/Alizin/-34897.html