Frequently Asked Questions

When can my dog be scanned to confirm pregnancy?

The ideal time for a pregnancy scan is between 28–35 days after the last mating, or approximately 27 days from ovulation.

Although some services advertise pregnancy confirmation from as early as 21 days, this is not considered reliable. Heartbeats are generally not visible until at least 24 days, and even with high-quality professional equipment it is not possible to confidently confirm pregnancy at 21 days.

If your bitch appears unwell after a season, scanning may still be useful to identify possible abnormalities such as pyometra. If any concerns are seen during the scan, you will be advised to contact your vet for further investigation and treatment.

Please note that gestation is calculated from ovulation, not mating. If ovulation occurs after mating, this can affect the expected due date.

If your bitch is brought too early and pregnancy cannot yet be confirmed, a rescan may be recommended approximately one week later. A charge will apply for repeat scans.

Can you tell how many puppies she is having?

An approximate puppy count is usually easiest between 28–35 days. After this stage, counting becomes more difficult as the puppies grow larger and overlap within the uterus.

It is also important to understand that scanning only provides an estimate. During early pregnancy, it is perfectly normal for a bitch to reabsorb one or more puppies, so numbers seen on the scan should never be relied upon as an exact final litter size.

Ultrasound scanning is performed in real time, meaning both your bitch and the puppies are moving during the examination. Puppies can overlap or be hidden behind one another, and occasionally the same puppy may be counted twice.

I am always happy to provide an estimate based on what is visible during the scan and will point out the puppies on screen for you to see and count yourself where possible.

What do you charge?

Ultrasound scans carried out at my premises are:

• £25 for daytime appointments before 5pm
• £35 for evening and weekend appointments

Do I get pictures or videos of the scan?

Yes. You are welcome to take photographs or videos of the scan during your appointment before you leave.

No-shows and cancellations

I am based in Kingswinford, DY6, so please ensure the distance is suitable for you before booking your appointment.

If you fail to attend an appointment without notice, or cancel at the last minute, future appointments may need to be paid for in advance at the time of booking.

As I work from home, appointments are arranged carefully around my family, my own dogs and other clients. Before every appointment, I put my own dogs away and prepare the scan room ready for your arrival. Missed or significantly delayed appointments affect not only me, but also other clients who may be travelling long distances or attending with family members.

Late arrivals can have a knock-on effect throughout the day, causing delays and inconvenience for everyone involved. I therefore kindly ask that you arrive on time wherever possible, or let me know as early as possible if you are delayed.

Your understanding and consideration are greatly appreciated.

Do you shave the hair on the abdomen?

In most cases, no shaving is required. I prefer not to clip the coat unless absolutely necessary.

Using plenty of ultrasound gel and water is usually sufficient to obtain a clear image and confirm pregnancy. I have only needed to partially clip a very small area on a couple of particularly heavily coated Husky type dogs.

Do you scan cats, rabbits, and other domestic animals?

Yes, I regularly scan cats and occasionally other small domestic pets.

Do you offer progesterone testing?

No. By law, only a veterinary surgeon is permitted to withdraw blood from your dog for diagnostic purposes, including progesterone testing.

While some fertility clinics advertise progesterone testing services, blood sampling should legally and appropriately be carried out by a qualified veterinary professional. Laboratory testing is also best performed by specialist veterinary laboratories such as Idexx.

Breeds

I can scan all breeds of dogs and cats, excluding banned dog breeds.

Payment

Payment is due at the time of the appointment. I do not offer free scans or payment plans regardless of circumstances.

Visiting my premises

For the safety and comfort of everyone, please ensure all dogs visiting my premises are either kept on a lead or carried.

As I work from home, dogs that are loose can sometimes wander into the house or toilet indoors.

I would also kindly ask that you avoid blocking my driveway or neighbouring drives when attending your appointment. Your consideration is very much appreciated.