marly is 5 weeks pregnat today we were at the vets this morning and he can,t feel the pups he cud 2 weeks ago but not today he sed she cud be hiding them under her ribs she is fine in her self she is fat and felling out in her sids and under her belly. i am so worried about her :( i dont know whot to do can anyone help in any way. Kath

As the pups grow the sacks they are in fill with more fluid so that they cannot be so easily be differenciated with one another, and cannot be felt individually. Try not to worry too much, if you can, or take her to have her scanned if you are really concerned about her. I'm sure that people have suggested this before, but have you got the "book of the bitch" by KAy White? It really is a mine of info, pretty much everything you need to know to be prepared. I read my from cover to cover, and then found it became my regular reference book.

Somone once told me that pups can only be felt for a few days then after that they can't be felt because they are so well protected.

If you really want to know how many pups she is carrying then you can have her scanned, I am surprised the vet didn't suggest this!! If your vet doesn't have an ultra sound scanner perhaps he could refer you to one nearby that has.

Hello Kath

I would not worry to much. As long as she seems healthy all will
become obvious soon. You could have a scan if you were
that worried, but I would not waste my money. It will be
soon obvious if she is in pup.
Someone last year came and used my stud dog, they telephoned
when the bitch was 6 weeks in. The vet had just checked the
bitch and said her bitch was not in pup. Worried she telephoned
me. Three weeks later her bitch had 9 large puppies.
Also my mother in laws cocker bitch. The vet told her that it was not going
to have pups, and that gave birth to 10. The vet had told her that
if she was in pup she could only be carrying one or two, so that
must speak in itself. Vets can not detect everything. But if you are
that worried and you have to know sooner rather than later have a
scan done.
Nutkin.