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Can my dog be pregnant?

So I have a 7month old maltese. While I am at work I let my in laws take care of her and my in law takes care of other dogs (male or female). For some reason.. My female Maltese stomach has been growing outrageously big..not typical for a regular maltese weight/size. I'm thinking she may be pregnant but I'm not sure if she can be at such a young age. The only thing i also notice differently is that she is more relaxed (laying down all the time) & always out of breath. Any thoughts?
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462827 tn?1333168952
Yes, Ginger's right...This could be a bad case of worms.......If she's not on a monthly Heartworm pill (Which covers all other worms except Tape) she needs to be checked.....You can take a fresh stool sample with you to the Vet and save her the anxiety of the Vet trying to collect one......Please, let us know how it turns out......We all learn from people posting back with reports....Thanks & good luck......Karla
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Avatar universal
Oh my gosh, thanks for all the response! I know that smaller dogs do have their period twice a year. I used to have a malti-poo for a VERY long time so I'm fimiliar with the heat cycle but she did not have her's until she was 9month to a year old. The person who takes care of my puppy has male dogs that aren't neutered. All the dogs she care for range from 4-10 pounds. I will definitely get my puppy checked because I did find out about 3 days ago that one of the dogs had hook worms but the doctor said it wasn't serious.
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462827 tn?1333168952
Hello & Welcome.......Most Small Dogs have 2 heat cycles a year.....Yes, Your Maltese could be in Heat (6mos. old) & could become pregnant.....Have you asked your inlaws about any unneutered males at their house? This is Pet Responsibility on their part too, if they are running a doggie daycare.... Females should NEVER be bred during a first heat cycle.......
All this said; Your Dog needs to see a Vet ASAP.....The symptoms your describing sounds like a Heart problem to me & could be Serious......I hope it's Not, but if your puppy did not come from a VERY reliable breeder, bad traits can be passed on.....Heart problems are one of those issues, I'm sorry to say......
The large stomach is fluid retention and the "Always out of breath" is a result of fluid in the lungs......What it boils down to is suffocation.....Please get her some help very soon....While your there, ask the doctor about having her spayed (If she's healthy enough) to avoid unwanted pregnancies in the future....Good luck and let us know what you find out.......I'll be thinking about her........Karla
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I would take your little pup to the vet.
It is just possible, I suppose that she might be pregnant....females usually begin their 'heat' cycle at between 6 months to a year old. It can differ with breed. I don't know what the average is for a Maltese, but cross-breed dogs (medium sized) I have known before came into 'heat' age 6-7 months. So I guess it's not impossible.
But this swelling of her belly and lethargy, and breathlessness could be caused by something quite different. The swelling you think might be pregnancy could be fluid retention. That can be caused by quite a few problems. It could also be a very bad load of worms...? That's why it may be best to have her properly checked out with the vet.

7 months is WAY too young to be having a litter of pups. Pregnancy, birth, and feeding a litter at her age could severely compromise her health. Also, as you do not know what size of male dog/breed etc, she might have mated with...there could be complications either with the pregnancy (if she is pregnant) or with the birth. You see, if she mated with a larger dog, the pups could be too large for a natural birth, and this could be very dangerous.

If she IS pregnant, you will need expert advice from the vet. I realize it's too late now, the deed is done. But if this is the case, and she has puppies successfully..., please do not mate her again for a very long time, or think about getting her spayed, as keeping an eye on her during her 'heat' cycle may be too much.
Anyway, good luck, and I hope she's ok.
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