Ultrasound Results, Correct or Misleading?

[tigerpaw709]

Teah had an ultrasound done on her 35th day of pregnancy. We were told by our vet that she saw 5 puppies but they were rather small so we should be expecting more. The vet stated that with larger litters (8+) pups will be smaller and because Teah's were smaller to expect more than were shown. After the appointment I came home and decided to do some research on ultrasound for pregnant bitches and their accuracy. I was alarmed to find that it is typically only 30% accurate! Now, Teah is on her 52nd day and she seems rather small for having even 5 pups. Don't get me wrong I am happy with one pup as long as everything goes smoothly but with my vet telling me to expect as many as 9 I just don't see how Teah could be carrying that many with her size. My vet said that we could get an x-ray done but with that much trouble I'd rather wait to see. I have a list of about 10 people so we are covered in that aspect but the anticipation is killing me

I would love to hear anyone's experiences with what they were told at an ultrasound and what the litter size was.

[frontierrots]

I used to have US done at a clinic where the vets were always within 1-2 pups of the end total (US done at 30 days)

When I had bill's Mom done at a different vet with a vet I was not fond of, she said 5 pups MAXIMUM. "I" saw far more myself but the vet insisted. There were 10 LOL

The last US I had done the vet counted 6 and there were 4 live and 2 dead pups delivered

I would plan on no fewer then what she saw but count on more

[ajemons]

Many people I've spoken to have reckoned you double the amount the US shows !!
My own, one and only US experience found 6 puppies - she had 14 !!!
I sure don't think they're infallible :)
Alison

[frontierrots]

other things to remember is that rotts often carry pups far up under ribs and rarely look as pregnant as they are unless they have tons or the pups are huge

Also between 20-45 days of pregnancy is when most pups with fatal genetic flaws or chromosome errors die and are either reabsorbed or mummify (not all but most)

[tigerpaw709]

frontierrots, I think that makes me feel a bit more at ease about the number. Just looking at her, I can't fathom her having that many pups. When my parents bred American Eskimos momma's were always hugely pregnant even with 2-5 pups. They even swayed when they walked!

Because of the info that I looked up about the US, we have 10 approved people on our puppy list just in case she does the double the amount thing. As I said, we will be blessed when however many pups come and they and Teah are all healthy!

[frontierrots]

oh I know. I had Shibas and with 4 pups the girls looked like they'd pop! But it's been a rare Rott that looks all that big with 7 or less pups

[brunie's mom]

I've always thought US were only good to confirm a pregnancy...not great for a puppy count.

I'm not a breeder....never bred a litter....but I've been hanging around here for a long time, as well as have breeder friends. Your post has me kind of worried.

You posted last week that your bitch was not eating and that she had an awful smell. Now she is 10 days or so away from giving birth and you say that she does not look very big in her pregnancy??? It makes me wonder if some of the puppies have died????

If she were my bitch, I would have her into the vet for a look-see, and maybe an x-ray? They will be able to tell if there are any puppies this way.

I'm hoping you have a fat, healthy litter of puppies...and all will be well.

Gina

[freakygoldfish]

I'm on a waiting list for a new puppy. The breeder had a litter in January. US said 6 so the planned on 8-10 puppies. They ended up w/ 6 and only three were available for pet homes. So no puppy for me, yet.

[tigerpaw709]

Gina,
I have been involved in breeding dogs (American Eskimos) all of my life. My parents were COE breeders and were well respected; they no longer breed because of the lack of time on their part. This is my first Rottweiler litter that I have bred but again I have been involved in showing/breeding Eskies for quite some time. I posted the question previously about the smell but I explained that the smell was from her skin, not her vulva. She also DID NOT have any discharge coming from her vulva which if she did would indicate pyometra/problems with pups. Since she has been pregnant she has had gas and that is primarily what the smell is along with a slight smell on her skin. My vet told me it is completely normal for digestive upset (gas, bad breath, uninterested in eating) while pregnant. Pregnant bitches often go off of their food; it is very common. She is eating with some doctoring up of her food.

With regards to her size: She has obvious weight gain. She no longer has her girlish figure (no hourglass shape) and is quite big around her chest/middle and not her lower abdomen. My question about her not getting THAT big was because when our Eskies were pregnant (as explained above) they looked like they were going to explode even with the smaller litter size typical of the breed. Frontierrots explained that Rottweilers carry their pups higher and this would explain why Teah looks like she is bigger but does not have the same growth as the Eskies. The other explanation that I think is valid is that I see her everyday so while she is getting bigger, I don't see it as much as say my sister who came over yesterday and said she looked like a barrel.

If she had diarrhea, was vomiting (she vomited last week because of the allergy to fireplace smoke causing sinus issues), had a fever (I take her temperature daily) or if she was lethargic, straight to the vet we would go. She, however, is doing great but there are obviously some things that are new to me due to her breed. I came here to get advice about specifics of Rotties.

We did the US primarily for the confirmation of the pregnancy, because of our stud contract and to plan homes for the puppies. The US told us (with the 'double the amount') that we needed 10 families on the list and we do.

[MarthaG]

tigerpaw709, When I raised weimaraners many years ago they carried the pups up high but a few days before whelping they would drop and they looked so big. I knew it was getting close then.

[MarthaG]

I was wondering how Teah was doing.

[tigerpaw709]

Teah is doing great. She is definitely taking her time in getting ready to have these pups. She had a temp drop (from 100.* to 98.4) on Thursday so we were expecting pups Friday but miss Teah decided not to go with that plan. Her appetite has actually increased. Her vulva and surrounding area were swollen yesterday and even more so today so we're keeping our fingers crossed for this afternoon/tonight.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by tigerpaw709

Teah is doing great. She is definitely taking her time in getting ready to have these pups. She had a temp drop (from 100.* to 98.4) on Thursday so we were expecting pups Friday but miss Teah decided not to go with that plan. Her appetite has actually increased. Her vulva and surrounding area were swollen yesterday and even more so today so we're keeping our fingers crossed for this afternoon/tonight.

She was 52 days pregnant on March 8th...so today she is 65 days into her pregnancy? Did she get bigger since you last posted??
Good luck with her whelp. Let us know how she does.

Gina

[tigerpaw709]

That was actually the count from the first AI so using the second AI (the day after, on Jan 16th) she is 64 days today. She has gotten a bit bigger but not much so I'm expecting around what the US said, 5. I will of course keep you updated on how she is doing and how the whelping goes.

[frontierrots]

I am assuming since you did an AI that you did full progesterone testing?

How many days is she post ovulation?

Pups need to be born 61-65 days post ovulation (63 ideal) and waiting too long can result in a litter of dead pups. I would personally be VERY concerned if I had done progesterone testing and knew the ovulation date and no pups were born by 63 days and i would probably have the girl in for a section