I think my dog is Pregnant

by Charlean
(Liverpool,UK)

Hello my puppy is 10 months old and had her first season about 2 weeks ago.

I have a boy shih zu and thing maybe she's been caught pregnant she is not so swollen but around her nipples are hard and she keeps being sick, its like a phlegm every couple of days.

I don't no what to do if she is cos she's only a baby herself help?







Hi Charlean
Even though your puppy is very young, if she's had a season then it's possible she could be pregnant. Especially if she spend time with an un-neutered male. It's very important to keep the two sexes separated for the entire length of the heat cycle, which can be up to 3 weeks or so.

However, dogs don't get 'morning sickness' type symptoms, or they rarely do, so coughing up phlegm is likely nothing to do with pregnancy. It's also too early for their to be any other physical changes that you would notice. It could simply be that you're worried and so are reading more into normal stuff than you would otherwise.

However, if she was with the male during her season you will need to be prepared for her to indeed be pregnant and if she starts to get a swollen belly and enlarged nipples in another month or so you will have your answer. You could take her to your vet for an exam, he may be able to tell you whether she is pregnant by a physical exam.

It's riskier for very young dogs to have puppies, and small breeds are also more likely to have complications. If she is pregnant make sure you do lots of research, talk with your vet, and be ready for the whelping. I'd also strongly suggest having your dogs neutered or spayed as soon as possible.

Best of luck.