Hi guys

My freind has a bitch who she has mated and thought she was due in two weeks, she took her to vets today only to be told by the vet that there is definaley nothing there even though her teats are showing and stomache really swollen.  He jsut said it was a false pregnancy.  However shes scared as this is the vet who last year said her other dog was not pregnant and two weeks later had 2 pups.  Shes rather lost and doesnt no what she should be doing or if she can believe him again.  The vet just said just leave her but is there anything i can advice her to do with the bitch or is he right that she should just be left and treated as normal?

Why doesn't she just see a different vet?

i agree if she knows this vet isnt very good at detecting pups go see a different one ?

A relaxin blood test will show if pregnant or not as the hormone is only produced when in bitch is in whelp. Vet can order in house elsa test kits, result in 15mins or so no guess work or particular skills needed by the vet (unlike with scans etc) 

K

oh brill thanks for your help guys will pass the info on thanks x

If she aint pregnant is there anything i can advice her as i say the bitch has swollen teats etc and is very swollen around the stomache?

I changed my vet years ago when I was advised a bitch wasn't pregnant, and she went into labour 10 days later.

I think she has to wait and see if it's a phantom or not.  Time will tell.  :-)

Could you not get along to another vet?

Just had a call from my friend the dogs in labour and just popped out three pups! Ttwo dead. she went to another vet for a 2nd opinion and was told there was nothing there! she went on holiday last week and put the dog in kennels. (wouldnt have went if dog was pregnant) the dog was due its booster and the 2nd vet said it was ok to give the booster as there were no pups present! so they give the dog a booster and she went away and the dog went to kennels for a week, got back last night and now pups being born, shes fuming and in a panic. poor dog x

Gosh!!! :-O

omg poor bitch :( and owner !!! hope the 1 pup is going to be ok?

Sorry to read this, and am sorry for the loss of two little ones. How is the third pup? Hugs Lois xx

How have two vets missed this?? Even if she was hiding them well.

just spoke to here she has had another one born alive so thats two alive and two dead and deformed.  She thinks thats it so fingers crossed the two remaining are fit and well.  Shes so stressed however she said the bitch is doing really well.  I cant beleive two vets couldnt tell the bitch was pregnant a week before the due date.  Im now wondering if the deformed puppies where just natural or due to the vacanation being given.

shes just called and asked me to ask a question?, should she give the bitch any extra things to her diet now as she has obviously just been on her basic diet so far?

Oh my god what a thing to happen to the poor bitch!!

I would be making sure she is eating often with plenty of fluids. She could give her a good quality puppy food and even give her Lactol or other milk replacment. If she hasnt any to hand just plenty of her normal food for now.

Im glad to hear the bitch is fine. Maybe if you say where abouts your friend is someone on here could recommend a GOOD vet. I cant believe if there was even the slightest hint that this bitch could be pregnant a vet would of given a vaccine!

I hope everything goes well with the puppies and hope she gets some answers from the vets!

XXXXX

> should she give the bitch any extra things to her diet now as she has obviously just been on her basic diet so far?

Poor bitch!  She needs as much nutrition as you can give her. Lactol or similar will help her to produce milk, as liquids are very important at this time.

Puppy food definitely, but don't assume that dry will be fine.  Many bitches get sore mouths from cleaning pups, and tolerate wet food much better.  You can try any protein to keep her appetite up.  Mine get poached white fish, scrambled eggs, chicken etc. in addition to puppy food.  As her pups need more milk, her feeding requirements will go sky high.

This is such a sad story, your poor friend and the poor bitch, it is heartbreaking to be told your bitch is not expecting pups, but for two vets to get it wrong oh no!!!!!!!!!!! i would write a very very strong letter of complant and change my vets imeddiatley.
I hope the two remaining pups thrive , please send hugs to your freind and her bitch

OMG that is terrible, poor things, hope the others thrive, good luck.

I would be making a written complaint and ask for a reimburment of any money due to thier incompetence.

Ask around and find a vet that comes with recommendations. Especially at this time in case she need a vet for the puppies.

I would feed Mum puppy nature diet as you can warm it in the microwave and mash it up soft for mum , it is also easy to wean puppies on and is a good food.I also like Jean feed mince egg fish cheese.
I would also give her either goats milk watered down or lactol along with her normal cold water supply through the day.

I hope everthing goes well .wish her the best of luck.

Thompson many breeders will give different variations, but this is what I do. I give a good quality puppy food, I always as suggested already, soak mine in warm water (not hot as it kills all vitamins etc) leave to soak in, it gives added liquid and many bitches don't want dry food right now,  add chicken or mince if you wish not essential just nicer for the bitch.

My breakfast is always scrambled egg, made with goats milk,  followed by a bowl of goats milk (pasturised) 2nd meal, soaked puppy food with any extra's. 3rd meal, then chicken, mince or fish with rice, 4th meal soaked puppy food with extra meat/chicken added. I always give a bowl of paturised goats milk morning and evening too.

What a mess and a panic for your friend, poor friend, she wouldn't have had any whelping area set up or anything, you know we are here if she has any other worries.

thanks guys i have passed on all info.

Seen the pups todays there sooo cute lol.  She called in and seen the vet today, he answer was simpley well I went on my judgment however these are dogs we are dealing with and its human nature! the said to her well next time you should spend the extra and get a scan!  - how rude!

Mum and pups doing great and shes now got her on the diet that someone mentioned, thanks you guys x

How rude! 

I would not go back to that vets, no way!!

she aint and we wont be either and anyone else we speak to!

I can't say I am impresed with the vets advice from what I have seen posted however I believe the owner should have done more to establish if the bitch was in whelp or not before treating the dog with any medications, and leaving her in kennels. If this was the first experience of this nature I could understand the rather nieve trust in the vets opinion based on little more then observation BUT there had been previous history of this vet being wrong. IMHO a scan or blood test should have been done to verfiy the pregnancy or not .

That said I hope all now goes well from now on.

K