Thinking our Bonnie may be prenant

[gasmodesto]

We have two yorkies that we got at the same time, different litters. We made it through the first heat without pregnancy but don't think we made it through this one, her second heat. Pretty tough to do when they both have the same thing on their minds and live in the same house.

Guess they are close to 18 months now. Been reading and it would appear that she has changed in that she is more clingy now and Clyde in the last two weeks has become super protector of house. Want to hear him bark, make a noise around the house that is not usual. So if calculations are right she would be about three weeks today.

Bonnies Vet is a renter of ours (luckily, we know where she lives lol) and she was over a couple of days ago and we discussed timing for X-ray and she said probably in another 10 -14 days she should start to show more.

Any helpful hints would be appreciated, until then I will read and read. Can't go back so moving forward.

[carmen in nj]

this site is very good..
Dog Breeding and Canine Reproduction by Debbie Jensen. Dog Breeding and Whelping guide for dog breeders.

I am also sending you a pm with some more information.
hugs,

[geo78]

i took daily photos of my girl and at about 3 weeks /21 days there was slight swelling along two lines of the teats

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by gasmodesto

We have two yorkies that we got at the same time, different litters. We made it through the first heat without pregnancy but don't think we made it through this one, her second heat. Pretty tough to do when they both have the same thing on their minds and live in the same house.

Any helpful hints would be appreciated, until then I will read and read. Can't go back so moving forward.

Just for future reference, if you are going to have two intact dogs under the same roof, unless you want them to breed, you have to crate them when she is in heat ....one or both of them...and they MUST be kept in different rooms or they will breed thru the wires on the crates. It requires constant monitoring and alternating play times and out of crate times.....unless you intend to continue breeding, you need to have them spayed and neutered. They are old enough, health wise. Of course now, he will be marking everything in the house, so belly bands become important!

[Lovetodream88]

Are they related?

[gasmodesto]

Bonnie and Clyde came from completely different lines so no issues there.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by gasmodesto

Bonnie and Clyde came from completely different lines so no issues there.

So I hope you can do a few tests. Unless of course as a matter of their natural health care you did, a BATS test on both, and a full blood panel. You do want to be pro-active in not only their care, but the care of your puppies. LS is a genetic disease.

Keep as I am sure you will in close contact with your vet, as you want to know at the earliest if a C section will be necessary; given your female's pelvic width and the size of the puppies.

[Marilize]

I'd get her to the vet asap for a general check up and some tests. He needs to check out her hips, pelvis, knees, eyes, teeth and general condition. Get blood taken and send it away for PRA-prcd (genetic disease that causes blindness in Yorkies), bruscellosis and have them do a general study of blood levels to make sure that she is healthy.

Having two intact dogs live in the same house means that you have to keep TWO barriers between them when she is in heat. A solid door or wall is best, but you need another buffer between the door or wall to make sure they don't slip out. The instinctual drive to procreate is incredibly strong and you need to manage them more effectively if you don't want to sterilize them.

Get someone who has experience to help you, especially on her whelping day. Someone you can phone 24/7 if something goes wrong, even if this is your vet. It's a very stressful experience and there is a lot that can go wrong in an instant even if you are completely prepared. Start saving up for tests, food, supplies, medications, vet visits, etc. You will need a solid nest egg or budget to carry the litter through to adoption.

Good luck.

[Marilize]

Originally Posted by gasmodesto

So if calculations are right she would be about three weeks today. Bonnies Vet is a renter of ours (luckily, we know where she lives lol) and she was over a couple of days ago and we discussed timing for X-ray and she said probably in another 10 -14 days she should start to show more.

An X-ray won't be viable until after about 56 days when the puppies' bones have calcified, but you can get an ultrasound done at 28 days. An X-ray at 30 days won't show you much. Your vet should know this. Rather go for an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy at 28 days and have the X-ray done at day 58 so you can count the puppies.

[gasmodesto]

Not familiar with Bats test, ignorance is showing now, what is BATS test. Weighed Bonnie yesterday and as of now which would be 22 days her weight is unchanged. I am going through the postings and compiling a list of stuff to buy (and it gets longer the more I read). I guess I should have been more specific about Vet and xray, she was saying 55-58 days. The 10-14 days was referring to Bonnie showing more and not an xray. I will get her scheduled to Vet to get bloodwork and tests done.

[gasmodesto]

I have noted for the specific Tests
PRA-prcd
Bruscellosis
BATS test (waiting for someone to tell me exactly what that is since I don't have a clue).
Bonnie and Clyde both go to the vet regularly but I will have Vet do a blood panel on her for general also.

Before we do anything more we are waiting, and not to patiently to make sure she is actually pregnant. I am going to get her scheduled for a Vet visit not next week but the week after. She should be at 35 days then and would expect for her to be showing if she is.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Marilize

An X-ray won't be viable until after about 56 days when the puppies' bones have calcified, but you can get an ultrasound done at 28 days. An X-ray at 30 days won't show you much. Your vet should know this. Rather go for an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy at 28 days and have the X-ray done at day 58 so you can count the puppies.

This was a concern for me....praying your vet is WELL educated in the care of small animals, but especially Yorkies, as there are significant differences in treatments and procedures and tolerances in Yorkies and other small dogs. How many Yorkies does this vet care for during a year? But above and beyond that, my mind goes back to the simple xray comment. Perhaps he just meant to say US, rather than xray.

[Marilize]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes at the vet. Here are my suggestions for a whelping toolkit:
Stethoschope - normal puppy heart rate is 220 bpm & normal adult heart rate is around 120 to 140 for small dogs. You can also listen to her tummy to hear the puppies before they are born.
Digital scale, notebook and printouts for noting down the whelping process, keeping track of puppy weights, etc.
Lots of blankets and towels
Crate or whelping box (I use a travel crate that the dam is used to. Added bonus: it's super quick to get her ready if you need to take her to the vet.)
Experienced breeder/vet on standby.
Goat's milk, gelatin, eggs, fast acting calcium supplement for supplementing dam & puppies if necessary.

You can also get a bulb syringe if you don't know how to clear a puppy's airway. Iodine, hemostats and unscented dental floss for tying the umbilical cords.

Read as much as you can and try to buy as much as possible beforehand. You won't want to leave the house once you need it.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by gasmodesto

I have noted for the specific Tests
PRA-prcd
Bruscellosis
BATS test (waiting for someone to tell me exactly what that is since I don't have a clue).
Bonnie and Clyde both go to the vet regularly but I will have Vet do a blood panel on her for general also.

Before we do anything more we are waiting, and not to patiently to make sure she is actually pregnant. I am going to get her scheduled for a Vet visit not next week but the week after. She should be at 35 days then and would expect for her to be showing if she is.

This is the Bile Acid Test. It checks for Liver Shunt, this is a very important test.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by gasmodesto

Not familiar with Bats test, ignorance is showing now, what is BATS test. Weighed Bonnie yesterday and as of now which would be 22 days her weight is unchanged. I am going through the postings and compiling a list of stuff to buy (and it gets longer the more I read). I guess I should have been more specific about Vet and xray, she was saying 55-58 days. The 10-14 days was referring to Bonnie showing more and not an xray. I will get her scheduled to Vet to get bloodwork and tests done.

Bile Acid Test. Specific blood test done that delineates more accurately health of the liver. There are two draws done, one draw before eating, one draw after.

Just a note about all the tests done before breeding; they all give the would be breeder information on the health of their breeding "pair". The obvious goal is to produce healthy puppies, sound of body (including organ health), sound of temperament.