Okay, it’s Friday, and that means another cool case! Today is a fun one. Do you have those fingers ready for counting? What for? Puppies!
One visit that I can always count on to be a happy visit for pet owners is pregnancy x-rays to count puppies. Yes, there would at times be an appointment where we would not see puppies on x-ray and have to break the sad news to the owners. But, usually the weight gain and larger belly would tell the owner that the dog was indeed pregnant, and they were here to see me to get an idea of how many puppies to expect.
That was the case with little Talulah (name changed for privacy). Her owner was a beagle breeder and very well known across the country for producing high quality beagles. She was a very sweet and healthy young lady, and just in to see me that day for an x-ray.
Now, before we get to her x-ray, let’s talk a bit about ultrasound and x-ray for determination of pregnancy, and the timing of each. First, a dog pregnancy lasts between 58-63 days, depending on which “event” we start counting from, but typically we say 63 days. The first opportunity we have to tell if a dog is pregnant is around 30 days. At this time we can do an ultrasound of her belly, just like on humans. We are looking for the embryos at this point, which look like little white circles surrounded by fluid (black). It is very difficult to give owners a “count” for how many puppies at this time, as you may scan over the same embryo many times. I was taught in Veterinary school that during an ultrasound you can say “yes” or “no” and that is it.
To actually get an idea of how many puppies to expect at birth, we have to wait a bit longer. After 48 days, but more preferentially in the mid-50 day range, we can actually count puppies on x-ray because the skull, spine, and hip bones are becoming ossified and will show up well on x-ray. This is usually a fun visit for both adults and kids; I like to bring them back to the x-ray room and let them count with me.
Ok, back to Talulah. Below you will see her x-ray. Before scrolling down further, try to count how many puppies you see. I usually start with skulls because they are the easiest to see on the x-ray. Then, to double check my numbers, I will try to connect the skulls to the spines and see if I come up with the same number. We try to be as close as possible with this count, but always warn owners that a puppy could be hiding and there may be another one in there. In addition, we tell owners what to watch for during delivery of the puppies, and that if something doesn’t seem right, to contact us right away! Most of the time delivery goes well, but there are occasions where a C-section becomes necessary.
Alright, below you will find the same x-ray, but this time I have circled the skulls. Did you get it right? Did you find all 6 of her puppies?
Talulah had a very uneventful rest of her pregnancy and all of the puppies were very healthy. Happy Friday!
One visit that I can always count on to be a happy visit for pet owners is pregnancy x-rays to count puppies. Yes, there would at times be an appointment where we would not see puppies on x-ray and have to break the sad news to the owners. But, usually the weight gain and larger belly would tell the owner that the dog was indeed pregnant, and they were here to see me to get an idea of how many puppies to expect.
Now, before we get to her x-ray, let’s talk a bit about ultrasound and x-ray for determination of pregnancy, and the timing of each. First, a dog pregnancy lasts between 58-63 days, depending on which “event” we start counting from, but typically we say 63 days. The first opportunity we have to tell if a dog is pregnant is around 30 days. At this time we can do an ultrasound of her belly, just like on humans. We are looking for the embryos at this point, which look like little white circles surrounded by fluid (black). It is very difficult to give owners a “count” for how many puppies at this time, as you may scan over the same embryo many times. I was taught in Veterinary school that during an ultrasound you can say “yes” or “no” and that is it.
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| Courtesy: Animal Ultrasound Association |
Ok, back to Talulah. Below you will see her x-ray. Before scrolling down further, try to count how many puppies you see. I usually start with skulls because they are the easiest to see on the x-ray. Then, to double check my numbers, I will try to connect the skulls to the spines and see if I come up with the same number. We try to be as close as possible with this count, but always warn owners that a puppy could be hiding and there may be another one in there. In addition, we tell owners what to watch for during delivery of the puppies, and that if something doesn’t seem right, to contact us right away! Most of the time delivery goes well, but there are occasions where a C-section becomes necessary.
Alright, below you will find the same x-ray, but this time I have circled the skulls. Did you get it right? Did you find all 6 of her puppies?
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