Could my dog he pregnant

[ammet33]

We went to the vet when my dog would have been on day 40 of her pregnancy and the xray didn't show any puppies.  The vet said she felt pregnant, nipples really enlarged, abdomen getting bigger, vulva enlarged.  Her behavior has changed a lot.  She is on Heartguard and frontline regularly and not missed any does.  I'm sure she is pregnant.  If it is a false pregnancy would her abdomen be getting significantly bigger like it is? Is 40 days to early to see puppies with an xray and what should I do now?

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

Yes, I would have her examined again in ONE week.  

let us know.  

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

I surely did not mean YOU'RE question was dumb.  It was a great question.  I meant MY question was probably a dumb question by asking the obvious thing.  Sometimes we have to ask obvious or "dumb" questions.  I think I typed it in a way that was not clear.  

I do not want you to believe I thought your questions was dumb!!  Sorry...:-((

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

First of all ... dumb question... 40 days ago was your dog "with" a male dog??  I.e. was this a "planned" pregnancy.  Reason we like to know is to see if we know the date is exact.  

That said, at 40 days we should be able to see puppies with a simple x-ray.  Also one should begin to be able to palpate the full uterus and sometimes even the lumps in a horn of the uterus.  

False pregnancy does occur but I've only seen this for a few weeks.  I have read that they can go longer with all the symptoms of a normal pregnancy.  

One way to know for sure is to repeat the x-ray exam in a week.  Also your veterinarian may be able to ultrasound the abdomen and tell this way, which is less of a danger to the puppies.  

[ammet33]

Thank you for that clarification.  I really appreciate you emailing me back.  My dog is definitely getting bigger in her abdomen.  Do you think 40 days was just to early to see anything?  I'm probably end up taking her back next week maybe.  Thanks for your help!  

[ammet33]

I didn't think it was a dumb question.  It was assumed that they were together or else I wouldn't think she was pregnant.  Aug 22 she came in "contact" unplanned with a male of the breed.

Other than that your answer was very helpful and thank you!

[ammet33]

Could my dog BE pregnant....