my shih tzu is pregnant, is there anyway to find out how many pups she will have?

Question

on her last litter she only had one pup, who was gorgeous, but on this occasion i would like to know how many she is going to have... is there an ultrasound or something that the vet can do?

Answer 1

At about 45 days onward, you should be able to see the puppies on an x-ray. This will become more accurate as the pregnancy progresses. The veterinarian will be able to count the skulls of the puppies to give you an idea of how many there are.

An ultrasound will allow you to see the puppies, but it may be more difficult to determine the number of puppies.

Michelle, CVT

Answer 2

Contrary to what people say, unless you are experienced, you should not try to feel how many pups there are as you may press too hard in the wrong place and cause a miscarriage.

At around the six week mark you can have a ultra sound scan to count the heartbeats, but it may not see them all, my vets charge around £20 for that.

The most proven method is to have an xray to count the skeletons after six weeks when the have become calcified. This will not harm the pups.

Good luck

Answer 3

If you want to know exactly how many pups she will have, you will need to go to the vet to get an ultra-sound done.

Most Shih-Tzus give birth to 1-4 pups.

Answer 4

After a certain date the vet can x-ray and count spines, but even then you can still have a surprise pup.

I think shih tzus have small litters, so it may be more exact with a shih tzu than a larger dog with 11 pups.

Good luck.

Answer 5

The vet can feel her belly and tell how many she is having, if she is far enough along. He will feel the pups bodies. The vet showed my sister how to look for them. .My sister's weiney dog has had enough litters that now she can tell how many her dog is gonna have. She just firmly feels her belly, but not to hard. You might feel a head or butt. Think of it as a puzzle if you feel a head think where the butt might be so you don't count that as another puppy if you feel it. Try it maby you'll feel them.. good luck

Answer 6

Your Vet might be able to do an ultra scan or he might refer you to another Vet.

I had my dog scanned recently because of a medical problem. It was expensive but he was insured.

I can't see the point of spending that much money on your b**ch unless you or your Vet think that it is really necessary.

(I saw a demonstration at a breed club of an ultra scan on two pregnant b**ches. On one you could see several tiny heartbeats but unfortunately the scan of the second dog showed no sign of pups.)

Answer 7

yes you can have her scanned but they cant relay tell you how many shes having they can tell you if their is only one but it will cost you around £40 depending on your vet some charge more than others phone around and see what price you can get it done for the b**** has to be around 4 weeks before they will do it good luck and as for pressing on her tummy i would say that was a no no you could cause more damage than good why do you want to know any way she will have what she has any way so if she is only haveing one you cant do any thing about it so just wait and see and good luck

Answer 8

YES MY DOG HAD PUPS IN JUNE THIS YEAR, I TOOK HER TO MY VETS WHO ARRANGED AN ULTRASOUND WHICH COST ME £60, MY DOG IS A CHIHUAHUA, I THINK IT WOULD OF BEEN MORE IF SHE WAS BIGGER. THIS SHOWED SHE HAD 4, SHE GAVE BIRTH TO 5. YOU CAN HAVE AN X RAY WHICH IS SAFER IN DOGS, OR WAIT AND SEE, YOU WILL NO WHEN SHE HAS FINISHED. THEY SAY IN THE LAST WEEK YOU CAN FEEL AND COUNT THEM YOUR SELF, I TRIED BUT I COULDNT. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

Yep, most vets practices have ultrasound equipment almost exactly the same as they have in maternity hospitals. Ask your local vet.

Answer 10

Small dogs don't whelp many pups 2 or 3 ,around this mark
is about it.