Hi my girl was mated 3 weeks ago - when is the earliest I can have her accurately scanned and if I do is there any risk - thinking about the stress factor/absorption?

I had a scan with my vet (higher tech than mobile) at 23 days from first mating 20 days from last, it showed lots of little sacs, mobile scanner said she wouldn't be able to see a thing until 28days, I had another scan with her at 28days 7 puppies counted, she's due any day, I worried about stress but my vets is 2 mins away and always quiet or I'm able to go into a private room as soon as I arrive x

I think there are also non-vet scanners who will come to your house, so that's even less stress, if there's one in your area...

I think you are best to wait until 28 days have passed as there is a lesser chance of the scanner missing anything and you needing to have her re-scanned. My vet's was useless as they shaved my very short haired girl and then made her lie on her back which didn't make her feel at all comfortable. Although they correctly predicted that she was empty, they charged me £70 and she was very itchy on the shaved patch afterwards so I decided not to use them again.

I then found a mobile scanner who came to my house, made friends with my girl, talked me through what was going on, dimmed the lights, stood my girl next to the scanner and after adding some gel to the probe, just started scanning - no shaving or forcing her to lay down etc. She was much happier and very relaxed. When fetuses were found, we were able to take pictures and take time to look at each one. She charged me £35 plus mileage but even then it was only £45 so well worth it.

Scanners tend to have more experience than vets or nurses so are more reliable.

We won't be scanning, because there are no non-vet scanners where we live and I worry our experience will be like the first one you describe, gsdowner! 

So we will just have to wait and see...

I have written about my feelings re scanning before    But to repeat - scanning only confirms, or not, a pregnancy at the time of the scan.   It's rarely totally accurate either.   And unless you have somebody come to do the scanning at home, why risk stress/infection by taking a pregnant mum to the vet when she should be calm and taking it easy throughout.    I have been told that people need to know so they can plan ahead (I didn't need to do this - we just planned the mating and cleared our appointments for the time it would all take).    If you need to know about puppy-size (unplanned mating) it's far better to do an x-ray a few days before the due date to see whether she'll need a C.Section or not.

Today's breeders seem to think scanning is something that has to be done.   I'm old school and don't.

Just to add, even if a scan says no, wouldn't you still be watching as her due date approached - I know I would!!   And I'd rather put the cost of the scan towards things like a potential C.Section, other vet bills, food, registration and so on.

I had a scan early as I just wanted to know, first litter! I did have another 2 weeks ago as my vet wanted me to take her in as she was been sick (pregnant dogs do this I'm sure) she was only sick once in the morning and they were acting like she was dieing, wanted to charge consultation then price of scan, I have a breeder scanner near me who comes with excellent references, not one of these people that's bought the scanner and says hey I'm a qualified pet scanner, she also works with a vets, first visit £25 any repeat £15, she also does mate assist,
I think sometime people just like to know, as its my first litter I wanted to be prepared, I've got everything I need from delivery right up until puppies are 8 weeks old, I wanted to be ready that's why I had the scan.

All scanners around here say not before 28 days.

My last litter we scanned at 36days this litter I will be scanning after day 28.
I scan just to confirm pregnancy and the last litter she said 4 and we got 4.

Mammabas just because you don't doesn't mean you are right its the persons preference of what they do

Some people need to know if their bitch is pregnant, whether the pregnancy continues or not is another matter but people have work to book off, things to organise and also stud fees to pay as there are contracts set by stud owners who say remainder or all of stud fee due at time of scan around 4-5 weeks

I have a scan done to confirm pregnancy.....it costs £20, and I take her to the lady's home, she has been absolutely spot on with number and none of the pregnancies ever reabsorbed.

If you trust your scanner you don't keep watching for signs or think she might have a litter when her date arrives.....

Each to their own, but sometimes it's better to move forward and take advantage of modern development instead of being 'old school' and in this modern world where people usually have plans to make it's a necessity.

I don't have the luxury of not working so need to be organised about taking time off, the same as many others.

> Mammabas just because you don't doesn't mean you are right its the persons preference of what they do

Acknowledged.   And I never said I was right - just that I never did, and I have written why.  

Moving with the times (not always to the good actually) may be relevant but stress to the bitch and risk of infection if going to a vet, will always be there and IF I was still breeding, I'd still not bother to scan.

No stress to my bitch as scanner comes to my home

Thanks everyone, I have found a local lady who scans in her home, we go on Saturday 34 days from 1st mating and 29 days from the last one so fingers crossed.