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Ask the Veterinarian/Olde English Bulldoggr Pregnancy

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Expert: - 11/21/2010


Question
If I am calculating correctly, my bitch is on her 64th day of pregnancy. She is showing all signs of being pregnant but I am still unsure. Her abdomen is not as large as I would have suspected and I have been unable to fell any pups. Her rib cage area however is much larger. Her teats are swollen and she is producing colostrum. She is isolating herself to the bathroom and has been very "picky" throughout her entire "pregnancy" in regards to eating. I know the signs of true pregnancy and a false pregnancy are almost identical, but I am wondering if it is possible that due to her larger rib cage if she is actually just carrying the pups "high?"
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Pretty hard for a dog to do that really, considering they have two horns to their uterus and they pups are usually distributed along those horns.

The best way to find out where these pups are is to have her xrayed. That way you will know how many there are and what kind of shape they are in.
Since dogs generally have a 63 gestation she is obviously due. Take her temperature rectally and if it is 99 degree F she is going to have them within 48 hours. She should have a temp of 99 degrees about two days before labor starts. If it is a normal 102.5 or so then she is either not ready or is going to need help.

Stay close in touch with your vet!!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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