X-ray unsafe for unborn pups - Page 1

I read from one article that one should not take x-ray of a pregnant bitch before day 60 because younger pups cannot take X-ray.

Do anyone have articles for the contrary?

Day 60 is sort of tight.

Personally, I have never made a radiograph of a pregnant bitch, but many do with no reported ill effects. In the early stages of pregnancy a radiograph will not work, and an ultrasound examination works much better.

But I will say this; the radiograph furnishes an exact count of the puppies in the womb and this can be especially important prior to a bitch's first whelp. Personally, I would not wait until day 60 and would prefer to do this at day 50. There should be enogh bone ossification at that end to allow a clear picture.

Best Regards,

Bob-O

We do many x-rays of pregnant bitches at the Vet Clinic. We do between days 50 and 60 and NEVER before day 45. We have never had any pups show ill effects of xray exposure. I would like to see any stats that show whether there is an proof or not that is did cause ill effects.

Tina

Agree with K9-mom. Besides for all that buy pregnant bitches, a flight at 10000 feet is very comparable with an x-ray taken, and depending of activity of the sun, the rays can be at a ten fold.

We have had a number of litters and never x-rayed any of the females...My feelings on the subject are this...Why spend money on something that's just not very accurate...I mean...The vets will tell you that it's very helpful to have a puppy count so that all of the puppies are delivered and no problems occur...Although you do get a general count but the truth is that it's not an exact science...So why do something...that might be harmful and spend money on something that doesn't necessarilarily tell you what you want and need to know...

Now in some cases you might just want to know if the breeding took or not...and in this case I would guess that an x-ray would be beneficial.

~Bob~

The main reason is to confirm that no pup is too large for the birth canal. Am I right? Is this only a concern for small breeds of dog?

The number of pups may be inaccurate if the litter is large. Is it still nice to know how many to expect within +- 1?

After doing some research, I think only in the case of very small litter, one or two pups, for a large breed like the GSD, would a pup be too large for the birth canal.

From what I gather, if the bitch look obviously pregnant early, say week 5-6, then the litter size is not small, say 5 or more.

Would you agree?