Dog ate chocolate?

ask a vet

Breeding big and small dogs.

Species: Dog
Breed: rat terrier mix
Age: 1-2 years
My little girl--weight 11 lbs-- got possibly impregnated (accicdentally--he broke out) by my son's shiba inu mix male--weighs about 20-25lbs but is small for breed. My sister-who has only seen my dog and not his seems to think his puppies may be to big for her to carry/deliver safely. I have seen other dogs with greater size difference have puppies so I never thought about her having any trouble. Figure her to be 2-2 1/2wks along now. Do you think the size difference is too great for her to safely have them and if so how and when does one terminate a doggie pregnancy?
Thanks so much for your answer.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi and thanks for your question!

This is a tough one to answer. While there is a chance that Bitty can deliver these puppies on her own, there is a good possibility that she will end up having problems.

Here are a few suggestions for you. One option is to let her have the puppies but be prepared for a C-Section if necessary. This means being sure that there is an emergency vet available if she needs one. If she is in labor and actively pushing for more than 30-60 minutes and nothing is being produced then she will need a C-Section right away. If you decide to go this route then you need to make sure you have finances set aside. In most places a C-Section can run $1500 or more.

Another option is to have your vet take an xray when she is approximately 50 days pregnant. This will tell you how many pups are there and how large they are. If your vet feels they are too large then a C-Section can be preplanned.

If neither of these are good options for you, then it is possible to terminate the pregnancy. However, what we usually do to terminate a pregnancy is to spay the dog. Most vets will be willing to spay a dog who is pregnant. However, the price usually ends up being higher than a regular dog spay.

While there is a medical treatment that can abort the puppies it is not often done because it is risky, painful and expensive.

I hope everything is ok!

Dr. Marie


Do you have a pet website? Interested in learning more about SEO for Wix?


Check out our dog age calculator and cat age calculator.

Want to receive pet coupons, vet advice and info on new pet products in your inbox?

* indicates required

We'll only send you great stuff, never spam. Unsubscribe any time.

Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

Search for similar questions:

ask a vet

Popular questions...

Cavalier screaming in pain. Hi there, since last Thursday my puppy having very strange moment and I went to my... (38946 views)

Very thirsty dog. My 13 year old spayed female lab is continually drinking water, can't seem to get... (11084 views)

Dog jealous over owner. My female dog is 2 years old. She's a black lab. She had puppies and my boyfriend... (24739 views)

Bassett with swollen eyes. I have a 5 year old bassett whos eye swelled up quite a bit this morning. We took... (17712 views)

Elderly cat not eating. my cat is elderly, arthritic and diabetic - but very lovely :) she was diagnosed... (7798 views)

low protein food My brother's cat, who is about 14 years old, recently got bloodwork done at the vet,... (10807 views)

Genetic defects in a puppy. my dog has tapeworms and she gave birth to four puppies.one was born really skinny... (13021 views)

Wound on dog's ear. Hello, my puppy has a tiny hole underneath his ear flap. It's red and I worry its... (27646 views)

Lab not eating. My 13 yr old Lab, Dylan, who has NEVER turned her nose up at any kind of food, has... (29884 views)

Frequent urination in puppy. Dr. Marie, We have a brand new 7 week old bullmastiff female, named June...I have... (30484 views)

See all questions...

Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.