Hi All,

I'm new to breeding but had dogs all my life. I have a rare breed maiden bitch at 37 days post mating, I was going to have her scanned last week but changed my mind since I'm 90% sure she is plus taking my healthy girl to the vets seemed daft, read plenty of posts on here saying sheep scanners are better than vets but inviting a stranger round didn't hold much appeal either.  Now I'm re-considering her 2nd CHV jab in a few weeks. Paranoid or sensible ?

Thanks,
Kenny

I totally understand where your coming from - not unusual I suspect. I worry about every little thing.
But, I once lost an entire litter due to the ch virus and always have the 2 jabs now as a precaution.
I do also have mine scanned but that is personal choice as I think it gives me better information to manage the pregnancy if there is one.
I also know people who never scan.

Do you have a breed mentor that you can discuss your concerns with? As your girl is a rare breed I presume, like my own breed, that there aren't that many people in your breed. (we all know each other, whether that's a good thing......) and I've found that my mentor was invaluable.

As to scanning, yes I've always had my girl scanned, purely because I need to know if puppies are due or not, I have a family so needed to make arrangements to cover me if I was out of action looking after puppies. I have always used a lady who does pet scanning for a living. She either comes to your house or you can go to hers. Is there someone in your area that provides the same service?

After seeing a friend lose a litter of 6 to canine herpes I will always give my girl the CHV jab.

Breeding your girl is very stressful, welcome to the club..

No official mentor but the Sire's owner has been very helpful and is high up in the breed so is my girls breeder and I've got a friend who used to breed and knows my dog well, who is moving in after day 55. However all three are a bit old school for my taste.  Besides I'm a man who prefers to read rather than chat on the phone.

After two replies I'm convinced I'm an idiot and I'll get the 2nd injection.

I'm self employed so knowing for sure isn't crucial.

Sorry missed the question about scanners.

I've found one local to me who only advertises on facebook, so a bit off putting. Security issue and where have they been to visit before me today. Could just tell lie and say she's a hybrid, only had two people recognise the breed in the last few years.

A decent scanner will come recommended and I for one like a scanner to come to me, less stress on all of us. There is a link somewhere of scanners, will see if I can find it. Would you say roughly what area you are in and maybe we can recommend someone to you between us all.
I wouldn't not to the herpes vaccination, both of them.

Many thanks you can't beat personal recommendations but I've decided against a scan, even if they found none I'd assume they were wrong/hiding in the rib cage and I'd carry on as if she were.

Size, mood, activity levels, nipples, clear mucus discharge and vulva all suggest she is.

Another week or two and my stephoscope should work.

Scan optional. .. For me CHV vaccination definitely essential

Thanks all, common sense has prevailed/ sanity restored.

Thinking about it more logically she will probably be exposed to nastier stuff on the walk to the vets than the vets itself.

Will definitely have the second CHV vaccine.

Thanks again,
Kenny

On another post about the vaccine, someone suggested asking if the vet would come out to your car to do it so your bitch wouldn't be exposed to anything in the surgery? Worth asking for?

Yes, I'm going to ask if they can come out to my car in the car park for the 2nd CHV jab.  If not, then I will ask how much a home visit is.

I'm with two different practises, the price both are asking is roughly the same. If my preferred vet won't come out to the car I will explain why I shall take her elsewhere for the vaccine.

I do this too.  My vet trots willingly out to my car and gives the Herpes jab there. I always wait in the car (just outside the entrance to the practice) in any case - I refuse categorically to wait in waiting rooms - and then I carry my dogs in to the examining table, I never put them on the floor.  No prob.  In fact, I had all the boosters for all my dogs done on a summer day in June last year:  at my car!   Naturally, I have a small breed!  I realise you can't carry a Rottweiler from the car onto the examining table.