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Women doing ultrasound on dog

How to Perform an Ultrasound on a Pregnant Dog

Ultrasound is a simple and effective way to confirm pregnancy in dogs. Here’s how it’s done:

  • When to Perform the Ultrasound

    • Ultrasounds are best done around 25–30 days after breeding to confirm pregnancy.

  • Preparing the Dog

    • Have the dog lie comfortably on her side or back.

    • Apply ultrasound gel to the lower abdomen just above the pelvis to help get clear images.

  • Finding the Puppies

    • Place the ultrasound probe gently on the gelled area.

    • Move the probe slowly to locate the uterus. You’ll see black fluid-filled sacs (amniotic sacs) and tiny shapes inside (the puppies).

  • Confirming Heartbeats

    • Look for a flickering motion inside the sacs—that’s the puppies’ heartbeats, which confirm they’re viable.

  • Counting Puppies (Optional)

    • Carefully move the probe to count the number of sacs. Note that this method isn’t always 100% accurate for litter size.

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