My Puppy Project

How Many Puppies Are There In That Window?

Today is day 58 of Zulu’s pregnancy.  Many breeders will have an x ray taken at this time in order to determine approximately how many puppies the bitch is carrying.  It is good to have a head count so that we can make plans and decisions about when veterinary intervention might be needed during the whelping process.  For instance, if there are only four puppies and the bitch has whelped three successfully but is having a little trouble with the fourth, we work hard to get that puppy out without going to a C-section.  If, however, she is getting tired and having trouble with the fourth, and there are five more to go, we are much more likely to do an emergency C-section.

Here are Zulu’s X rays from today.  I increased the contrast in the second image so you can more clearly see the puppies.  How many do you think there are?  We counted at least eight, and maybe one or two more.

Same image as above, with increased contrast