My vet took 2 X-rays of our English Pointer and I'm really worried now because he wasn't sure if there were 4 or 5 puppies coming (and this is her 1st litter and my 1st experience). Do the X-rays sometimes not reveal a sure number of puppies or is he an idiot vet? He said there were 4 for sure, and a possible 5th but he couldn't tell if it was an actual puppy b/c it was in a large area of her body that all looked milky white, whereas the other heads were an obvious white against the dark.
This vet refused an emergency call when I asked him if he'd be willing to be on call, so I've found an emergency vet close by, but the whole reason I got her X-rayed ws to find out how many puppies there were. Now since I still don't know for sure, I won't know if she's truly done after 4 if she stops pushing. Are X-rays sometimes unclear like this??
He also said she'd whelp within 24 hours but it's been 24 hours and she's still happy go lucky w/no sign of labor.
2007-10-05 12:29:46 · 15 answers · asked by Wintergirl 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
X-rays are often a little iffy. The vet has to pick out skulls in a tangle of bones and shadows. Sometimes they aren't positioned well for the xray, and there's two heads side by side which will only look like 1 head. You can xray agaon for a better idea, or wait until she whelps. If only 4 are born, you can have her checked then to be sure she's not retaining one.
2007-10-05 12:38:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, the vet is not an idiot. Xrays are static pictures, so you can't always see everything because things can hide behind other, radio-opaque things. An ultrasound is usually better, and safer, for pregnancy, but even then there's no guarantee of the number of pups. Get another vet if you don't like the one you've got, they can look at the xrays from the original vet, and could take their own or do an ultrasound.
Chalice
2007-10-05 12:42:10 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found it is MUCH better to count spines as opposed to skulls. Gas bubbles can look like a skull... spines look like pearls on a string.
Yes, its common for vets to get it wrong... which is why you have a relationship with a good REPRODUCTIVE vet rather than a regular one. They rarely get it wrong.
How's her temperature doing and is she eating? The temperature drop is a good indication.
The fact that he said "24 hours" means nothing if he's not a repro vet. I had a friend who brought a b*tch in for an x-ray.. the vet (small town) said "8 pups in 2 days" .. the b*tch had her first pup of 10 on the way home from the vet.
2007-10-05 13:28:01 · answer #3 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, i'm not really sure about this. I wouldn't be so worried if i were you, you do have an emergency vet on call. Everything should happen normally, most people don't even find out how many puppies their do is having. Don't worry about her not being in labour yet, it will happen just like it does with humans, no one can predict the exact time she will give birth.
Hope it all works out for youxxx
2007-10-05 12:43:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can miss puppies on x-rays very easily. Depending on how they are lined up, you can miss them. If she is happy go lucky, then leave her be and watch her. Make sure that she has plenty of food and water to drink. I would get some Nutri-cal to have on hand for her and the pups if needed as well. When a ***** is done whelping, they will normally lie flat out for the pups to nurse. If a ***** that you think is done lies curled up when the pups try to nurse, then that is the ***** that you have to think is not done yet.
2007-10-05 12:35:49 · answer #5 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
THis is common. relax. Tkae her temperature. Is is 98-99? THen she'll have them soon. Wait for that drop. Also, get a sonogram done if you're that worried. IT gives a much better count. In the morning, once she's done having the pups.. take her in and have the vet palpitate for more pups. He can also give her drugs to stimlate more contractions.
My 1st time momma didn't give any signs pther than a bit of panting.. she hopped up on the bed with us, and that's when we saw the sac coming out.. so relax. .if she senses you aren't at ease, she may delay having them.. Just watch a movie with her in the same room.. and the time will come!
2007-10-05 12:33:56 · answer #6 · answered by Zephyr is the Shiznik 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's not an idiot at all. Some times it is hard to see all the skulls because other organs get in the way and other pups do too.
Ya well there is no 100% way to tell when for sure they will go into labor. You will just have to be pacient for that to happen.
2007-10-05 12:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the vet can be very wrong.. Sometimes he can be dead on.. I wouldn't be all bent out of shape over him saying 4 or 5.. If he said 4 or 12 then I would be worried.
If you aren't happy with your vet, get a new one.
2007-10-05 12:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a deep breath...take your dogs rectal temperature it will drop below 100.0 and stay that way when she is going to whelp within 24 hours. We just had two litters and trust me when I say you will be able to feel by palpating her stomach if she has anymore pups left. Don't worry so much dogs have been giving birth for many years and they know when they are done. I would suggest reading as much as you can on the internet to familiarize yourself with birthing process of dogs. Good luck!
2007-10-05 12:49:24 · answer #9 · answered by frogbfound 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's not always possible to see everything on radiograph. Sometimes, two puppies can be right on top of each other, so you can only see one. It happens all of the time. Veterinary medicine is not always an exact science.
2007-10-05 14:19:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋