So my bitch mated 25 23 and 21 days ago. She has a bit of a discharge so just took her to vets. They scanned her and found one "bubble" so said she is pregnant. But worried about there only being one, I've heard of stories where a single pup grows to big for dog to give birth to vaginally. What are the chances it was too early and there could be more Pups and if there's only single pup could this be dangerous for her. She's a small terrier sized if that makes any difference

Definitely too early unless it was a very experienced scanner (not a vet) and I'd never rely on numbers given by a vet. I will get mine done past 28 days, usually at least 30 days, and I once had a vet tell me one or two pups and the bitch had ten. The private scanners however have been spot on with numbers.

She's booked In for a scan next thursday at 29 days. Hopefully see at least 1 more. I didn't think it was normal for a dog to only have one.

We've had three small litters, one, my first and I hold my hands up to being partially responsible for the disaster, was of two puppies and sadly one was DOA by the time I got her to my vet.   The second, another bitch and some years later, only had 2 puppies in her first litter, one of each, and then a second litter a year later, of ONE.   A bitch.   And it just goes to show how wrong we breeders can be because her litter sister who was hugely successful in the ring, always over-shadowing her sister and who I never thought would be the more successful, numerally at least, brood bitch of the two sisters.   Wrong.   She had what should have been 9 puppies but due to a veterinary disaster - (nothing to do with her and we sued)  ended up with only 4 of the 9.   Her sister had in all 3 puppies and she suggested she should easily have been the more prolific brood from her shape and temperament alone.

Could be that a singleton puppy may grow too big, but frankly I'd wait until close on her due date and have her x-rayed, not scanned to see whether a C.Section is going to be needed, which it may not.   Remember a scan, which may or may not be accurate, only means puppies (or a puppy) at the time of the scan.   Not that she'll carry to term.    Most bitches will have multiple births, but a singleton puppy happens more than is realised.

What you will have to be aware of is if she does just have the one, you must make sure it's kept warm around the whelping box especially when mum has to leave to empty, and rotate him/her on the teats, so mum doesn't develop mastitis.   She will have a ball with all the milk available - and again, you won't need to be feeding the bitch in quite the same way, amounts, as had she had a bigger number of puppies to cater for.   As was the case with my first experience of this, nature may take over in cutting back her need for food.   I was going frantic when my bitch wasn't eating in the way the books said she should be!   And be sure to worm him/her at 2 weeks and every 2 weeks after because again from experience with my first singleton, he was full of worms to the point I couldn't face spaghetti for years after.

> I didn't think it was normal for a dog to only have one.

Mandi I have a much smaller breed than you and I have never had a bitch with a singleton have any problems.  Any C-sections have always been for bitches with more pups.  So don't get overly worried.  As Mamabas has mentioned, a scan at 29 days doesn't show if a bitch will reabsorb. 

And when your bitch is due an x-ray will be far more help than a scan.  It will show if pups are too big, or if they are placed wrongly.  A scan doesn't show that.  I had one bitch with difficulties and the x-ray showed 2 pups jammed side by side in the same horn.  No wonder her contractions were going nowhere.  But the x-ray showed us that a section was needed and pups and bitch were fine.  Good Luck.

By the way - contrary to belief, there is no risk to your bitch with this x-ray.

Ah that's really good to know. I was hoping for 3 puppies but what will be will be. It is good to know she's pregnant still a while to go tho. 1 more week till the home scanner comes round and I've been told she's excellent

So a few weeks ago I asked about mating my dog. Last week I said about vet scanning and said only 1. Today had the home scanner and there's 4 beautiful puppies growing perfectly. She's dated her about 33 days which matches the first mating. So 11th March.  I can't wait.

I bet you can't wait.    Good Luck.

Oh I really can't.  Hoping so bad that all 4 puppies make a safe arrival into this world.