I have been really debating about whether to make this post or not, but finally decided I think it is definitely, in our best interest to do so. I believe Bella is pregnant.....
I am fairly sure that I will get so much crap, I may wish that I hadn't posted here, but I just want everything to go well, if in fact she is pg and the experience the breeders here have, is just too valuable not to. Soooooooo I guess I am prepared mentally for the best and the worst you all have to give me.
Bella is only 13.5 months old and Jett is just shy of 7 months old. (I will not give any excuses as to how she got pregnant, because I guess it is irrelevant at this point. We DID try to prevent it, but, again irrelevant.) Bella is right at 5 pounds. Scale shows between 4 pounds 14 ozs and 5 pounds 2ozs. Which is good. Jett is 2 pounds 5 ozs, and extremely petite. (Another good thing. Both sets of parents and grandparents of Bella and Jett were small as well. Between 2 and 5-6 pounds.) (All were free whelpers as well)
Ok, so now to my questions.......we caught Bella and Jett in a tie on April 14th, at this point, I decided to let them be free to do what they would through the 16th. ( trying to prevent only one puppy, from only one tie.) On the 16th doggie diapers AND a onesie prevented any further ties. Jett was only 5 3/4 months old during the tie. We did see them lock again on the 15th. (His testicles are descended and in place, so I believe he is sexually mature.)
Is it possible, he would tie and lock with her and NOT be sexually mature to sire pups??
She is now approximately 33 days since her first witnessed tie. She is showing many signs of pregnancy. Vulva has remained swollen since heat, nipples are growing a bit larger than they were during her heat. She is also very sleepy and lazy, MUCH more so than usual. She also has had a few bouts of nausea and vomiting, in the mornings before she eats. I purchased a fetal doppler, and tried using it yesterday at 32 days, but I didn't get anything definite as far as heart tones. (Might be too early.)
Those of you who use dopplers, when is the earliest you found the fetal heart rates???
I have talked to our vet, plus two others. All say to come in between 50 and 55 days for xrays to see where we are.
I asked about US but none recommended them, all said xrays were they best way to go. Is this true??? (I did find a place in Phoenix that does US, and wanted 300 just to confirm pregnancy, eeks!!)
Bella is being fed Blue Buffalo small breed puppy and blue buffalo canned food. I free feed her but only offer canned food once in the mornings.
Should I be giving her a vitamin as well?? I do have some but have not given them yet, as I wanted more opinions on this. (Yes I do know not to give calcium until the whelp starts, and to make sure she gets enough calcium after the whelp.) (I know it can be dangerous and c-sections are possible...and can be very expensive......etc.)
I have spent many many many many hours reading and researching pregnancy, whelping, and puppy care. As soon as I verify we have puppies, I will be purchasing all supplies necessary for the whelp and after care for Bella and babies.
I really would like the support and expertise that you can offer me at this time. I know I will have many questions these next few months, and I am very glad that I have the people here on YT to give their expert advice.