confirm pregnant - Page 2

I have had females ultrasounded at 28 days, an accurate count, and then less puppies born - there is still time after that for fetal death and mom will absorb them, never to be seen again. So that can happen and is not outside the realm of normal. But usually the ultrasound count I get is within one puppy accurate. I rarely x-ray as I don't like the stress on the near-whelp mother. molly

No issue with stress with our females when we x-ray. Ultrasounds are are good idea and we have used as well. Ensure that you have a good vet that is experienced at it.

x-rays are stressful on the females because they are A) pregnant, B) almost ready to whelp, C) restrained/held down by people they don't know - that is stressful. Not to mention the radiation factor, though it might be small, it is there. Too stressful for my females, I don't like to put them through that just before whelp, unless I feel it is absolutely necessary. And in my experience, x-ray is also not a completely accurate count. molly

Depends on the situation. No stress on the dogs here. We have two great vets in the area that our dogs know and never had an issue with. Most long time and very experienced breeders that we know and confer with do the same in regards to x-raying. X-rays that we have had have been accurate to a spine. But, depends on the positions of the pups in utero - I have heard (and will possibly expect in the future) that counts could be off. I have heard more of the ultrasound counts being off and breeders confirming with a final xray.