Animal Health Services offers pregnancy confirmation via ultrasound as early as 28 days after the first breeding. As the puppies get larger it becomes increasingly difficult to get an accurate count however, diagnosing pregnancy by ultrasound offers several advantages over a pregnancy blood test.
First and foremost is that puppy viability can be ascertained: heart rates, fetal size and sac abnormalities can be noted. A rough idea of the number of puppies can also be determined. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and are done without sedation. For best visualization we recommend that the bitch have an empty stomach and a full bladder.
