I have a dachshund that is due on Dec. 3rd. I took her in to the vet when she was 35 days and he said he felt 2 puppies but there could be more. I am to take her back to the vet in about a week and a half for her next check-up. I need to know which is better for determining how many pups and how big they are in case she needs a c-section. My vet says either one but I would like to know from personal experience.
2007-11-17 11:32:40 · 10 answers · asked by carman 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They both cost $45, so the cost isn't an issue!
2007-11-17 11:40:53 · update #1
I prefer x-ray. This way you can count puppy skulls. I have found that ultrasound can miss pups because they tend to hid behind each other or behind a organ and you cant see them. In either case there is always the possiblity of a missed pup. One of my dam's I knew was having several pups so I did and x-ray. It was off by 2 pups. Nothing is absolute but I liked counting skulls. I have known other breeders who have done ultra sounds and the puppy count has been way off and some have been pretty accurate so it's up to you.
2007-11-17 11:38:41 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay so here are the pros and cons.
ultimately ultrasounds are safer. They do not use the same process of as the xray, instead bounce signals off the matter which is picked up by the maching. The problem with this is missing the puppies that are under the other ones (a good vet will do different sides and angles to limit this as much as possible) Also the dog has to lay still for longer.
Xrays for animals are the same as for humans... Are pregnant humans allowed to have xrays ?? No. Because it can cause damage to the fetus, this is the same thing for animals. However, the xrays will show exactly how many dogs because you can "see" skulls and bones under other ones...
I go with the ultra sounds.
2007-11-17 11:45:53 · answer #2 · answered by kon11stantine11 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vets have always done 2 xrays 1 week prior to expected whelp date. He has always been right on the money with the count also.
Make sure if you do need a c section that your vet undertstands how sensitive dachshunds are to anestesia.
You want her up and wobbly as the last pup is delivered....too much and it will increase the chances of puppy loss....also, your ***** will have no idea where these pups came from and needs to be watched like a hawk for a couple days. Don't let her pick them up to move them or lay on them. Also, make sure your vet has a staff of 2-3 that will come in to rub pups if she needs the c section.
I used to go in to rub them to stimulate breathing. I hate c sections and stopped breeding my champion dachshunds because of it. good luck
2007-11-17 12:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by buzzword07 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An X-ray may provide better resolution if you want to count how many pups there may be and get a cleaner image of size. However, an ultrasound would probably be almost as good but grainier image.
If you're paying out of pocket, you should ask which one is less expensive.
2007-11-17 11:38:31 · answer #4 · answered by Revolutionista barista 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend not doing either. We did this for my dog last time she had puppies (the x-ray) and they told me they counted 7 maybe 8 skulls. Well she had 11. So it was a waste of money. But more than that, I had done it for my peace of mind. I wanted to know how many so I would know when she was done. Anyway, I spent 6 hours after the last puppy came still worried that there were more inside and I just didn't know it!
2007-11-17 13:32:14 · answer #5 · answered by beth l 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ultrasound
2007-11-17 11:37:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
X-ray may cause cancer but due to shorter wave length you will see more on x-ray.
But just for a look your how many puppies your Dackel buy a box of champaign and for each Dackel you drink a glas.
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany
Heinz
2007-11-17 11:54:42 · answer #7 · answered by pinata 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my aunt had an ultra sound done with her yorkie, they told her 4 puppies, there turned out to be 5, the final one didnt make it, who knows what could have happened had they known it was in there. id be tempted to go with the x-ray and get the clearer pic.
2007-11-17 11:46:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well in pregnant people you CAN NOT do an x-ray because the radioactive waves will harm the fetus. maybe it's different for dogs, but i would go with the ultrasound.
2007-11-17 11:38:08 · answer #9 · answered by pandora078 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ultrasound is better because x rays cause damage at a cellular level. they cant be used for human babies so i cant imagine they could be to good for puppies.
2007-11-17 14:05:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋