May 23, 2011
Is xraying a pregnant bitch the best way to confirm that she is pregnant and that everything is OK for delivery?
Full Question:
First let me tell you what an inspiration your website has been to me, a new breeder of Australian Labradoodles. I am trying to decide if xraying my bitch at 45 days is safe. If not is there another way to tell if the puppies are there and everything is ok for delivery. Thank you and thank you for your years of experience you share with your site.Cathi
Cindy's Answer:
I don't believe in xraying a pregnant bitch as a way to confirm pregnancy or get a puppy count. I know a lot of breeders do it, but in my opinion the risk to the pups from radiating them is not worth it. If you do some online research you will find out that there are some studies out there that xraying fetuses increases the puppy's risk for bone cancer later in life.
We can only guess what harm it may do, why risk it? The ONLY time I would xray a pregnant female is if she was in distress and I thought there was a medially sound reason to do so.
I palpate my females around 24-28 days to confirm pregnancy, and monitor body temperature the last 2 weeks of gestation.
There is no way to know if everything is OK for delivery, even with an xray. In my opinion, the risk (even if it's small) to the unborn puppies isn't worth it. I feel so strongly about it, that I would not buy a puppy from a litter that had been xrayed for no good medical reason.
Cindy
We can only guess what harm it may do, why risk it? The ONLY time I would xray a pregnant female is if she was in distress and I thought there was a medially sound reason to do so.
I palpate my females around 24-28 days to confirm pregnancy, and monitor body temperature the last 2 weeks of gestation.
There is no way to know if everything is OK for delivery, even with an xray. In my opinion, the risk (even if it's small) to the unborn puppies isn't worth it. I feel so strongly about it, that I would not buy a puppy from a litter that had been xrayed for no good medical reason.
Cindy
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