Ask Me Help Desk - How to know if my Yorkie is pregnant?

I have a teacup yorkie about 4lbs. It is possible she could have mated with my male but I don't know the exact date , she has been eating a lot of grass but eats dog food an treats as normal she is so small an I work outside the house, this would be her first litter an her teats have change a little but only the back ones how can I tell for sure , if she is it should be getting real close like with in days an I can't afford a vet visit right now Please any help or advice

My first thought was why do you have two unneutered and opposite sex dogs living together?

You're going to have to find the money somehow. Part of the responsibility of pet ownership is being able to give your animals adequate medical care. Work out something with the vet, a payment plan or a barter system of some kind. Call area shelters to ask if they know of vets in the area who give low-cost care. If your Yorkie is indeed pregnant, she may have a terrible time delivering her pups because she is so tiny. She and the pups could all die during labor and delivery. You really need to get her checked.

I keep a very close eye on them an keep them apart when I need to. I have had the male for 5 yrs an the female for 3 but I was in the middle of moving an she slipped in on me, I haven't had either of them fixed because I planned to have a litter, but not at this time I am a very responsible pet parent but am recently single so one income right now is tuff I will have a vet visit but was hoping for some helpful input ( not a lecture like you gave) and I know she an the pups could be at risk. That's why I was asking for info before going to the vet

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Originally Posted by windex1

was hoping for some helpful input ( not a lecture like you gave) and i know she an the pups could be at risk. thats why i was asking for info before going to the vet

I didn't lecture you (was thinking of your tiny, possibly pregnant Yorkie), and in fact gave you some helpful tips on how to pay for a vet visit. Other members and the dog experts will give you similar and additional suggestions.

OK maybe I didn't ask the question right what I need is how to tell if she is before I go, they visit the vet regularly and a groomer just didn't want to make a trip if I didn't need to.. other than the obvious signs what to look for would be helpful

Quote:

Originally Posted by windex1

ok maybe i didnt ask the question right what i need is how to tell if she is before i go, they visit the vet regularly and a groomer just didnt want to make a trip if i didnt need to..other than the obvious signs what to look for would be helpful

I'm not a dog expert but have been pregnant myself and have had pregnant cats. Slowly rub her sides and tummy to feel for any movement or lumps, maybe. I found this:

Signs of Dog Pregnancy

Early signs of dog pregnancy include a decreased appetite, a sudden decrease in activity, nipple growth, and behavioral changes. The decreased appetite is similar to a human's morning sickness. If she feels exhausted more than normal, is far more affectionate than her regular behavior or just wants to be left alone, it is because of the hormonal changes triggered by her pregnancy. The tissue and glands underneath her nipples will swell to make room for her baby's milk. Her pregnancy will last between 60-64 days.

After the first few weeks her appetite will reappear and she will rapidly start gaining weight. Her abdomen will thicken and be firm to the touch. Smaller breeds look larger when pregnant than bigger breeds because they have less room to carry all of their puppies. You will be able to feel the puppy movement during the last week of her pregnancy because that is when the babies are getting into position for birth. Don't be surprised to see several drops of milk leaking from her nipples prior to the labor.

Dog Pregnancy Timeline | Signs Of Pregnancy In Dogs | How Long Are Dogs Pregnant

You didn't want a lecture, well then, you're going to hate my post.

You are a backyard breeder. You stated you wanted a litter, just not now. Well then, you need to be more responsible, don't you?

Here are the facts, you chose not to spay or neuter you dogs, you chose not to monitor them until you were ready for them to have a litter. It's like the mom of a teenager being shocked that her 14 year old daughter is pregnant, because she wasn't ready for that, and then denying her daughter the care she needs because she can't afford it.

Breeding isn't cheap, in fact, it's very expensive. I bet you didn't have genetic testing done, because you're not a breeder, you're a backyard breeder. So your dogs aren't even the best of their breed, they're just pets. Sadly, they haven't been allowed to be just that.

Yes, I'm being harsh, because I'm sick of this. Before you come back saying I'm a breeder snob, you should know that that's not even close to true. I have one breeder dog, the rest are rescues, or farm puppies.

So, here are your choices. Take your dog to a vet, then start begging your friends and family for money. She's a small breed, which means she'll likely need a c-section to deliver. That can cost thousands. She may have complications during pregnancy and delivery, more thousands. If she won't nurse you'll have to bottle feed (time and money). You'll need a whelping box (cheapest is around $400 used), and a heating lamp (you can get one for around $150 used).

Breeding dogs is not as simple as letting the male impregnate the female. There's a reason that breeders charge thousands per puppy, because it costs thousands. Even if sold for thousands, the breeder is still losing money. They breed to further the breed, for the love of the breed. They don't just put a male and female together and hope for the best.

If you're not willing to pay the expense of having a litter, then find the money to abort the puppies, and spay your female. If you can't do that, be prepared to lose her, because many small breed dogs die during delivery, especially without vet care.

There's your lecture, and it's one you need to hear. Sadly, you're most likely like every other backyard breeder that comes here, and you won't listen. In fact, I know exactly what you're going to say "I'm a good dog owner, I love my dogs. You can't say I'm bad. I just don't have the money for a vet". Ya, I've heard it all before, so go ahead, amaze me, prove that you're different, and find the money to do a spay and abort, and realize that you're not a breeder, and shouldn't be breeding at all!

Seeing as she's a teacup Yorkie, I hope you have the funds for a c-section.