Possibly Pregnant?

 Any dog that has been outside alone in heat has a good chance of becoming pregnant, especially if a male has been hanging around (they can smell a female in heat a long way off...)   Check with your vet to see if she is, and if you can go ahead and spay.

 Agreed. Spay, now.

her nipples state right now...while she is in season have nothing to do with pregnant...or not. ALL bitches bred or not have some nipple change during their first season.

Now her BEHAVIOR and her ESCAPES of course...mean she could be pregnant...but honestly you have another MONTH before you would notice any outward change noticeable to the average owner.

Plenty of time to schedule her spay and get it done...because it should be.

 :) Thanks for being a little more helpful than the last two posts before you. I'm just worried since I've worked so hard to keep it from happening, and I've read several different articles that say several different things on the matter about linking nipple changes to pregnancy. All the information is a bit confusing. It is then it isn't. It isn't then it is. I thought someone here might be able to raise a hand and say a little more.

I do plan to get her spayed, ASAP (as prior stated, I'm waiting on the money that comes next week). So posts telling me such are a little useless and...not relevant to the question.

If I were in your position, I would crate her when I wasn't home and ask your dad to leave her in the crate unless it's an emergency.   If she's not pregnant, she hopefully won't get that way and you can spay her as planned when your check comes in.  spiritdog and jennie aren't trying to give you a hard time. The sooner she's spayed the easier the procedure, medically.  That's what I've been told, maybe it's not true.  A week or two shouldn't make a huge difference.

Middie

I do plan to get her spayed, ASAP (as prior stated, I'm waiting on the money that comes next week). So posts telling me such are a little useless and...not relevant to the question.

The problem is YOU can be vigilant as all heck and if "dad" isn't then she'll get pregnant anyway.  They stay in heat about 3 weeks and technically can become pregnant any time during that 3 weeks (which can be more give or take a day or two).

"waiting" isn't really an option but I understand your situation.  SO ... call the vet and talk to them.  Tell him you suspect she may *already BE* pregnant.  However -- waiting six weeks for her tissues to return to normal just isn't smart because you'll have an "oops" litter by then.

So ask the vet to spay her NOW and let you either give him a post=dated check or pay him when your check comes. 

This is honestly what you should have been told to do *by someone* two months ago -- it would have been easier than a spay just after a heat cycle (which can lead to infection -- they only DO a spay like this when it's urgent -- and you honestly don't want to ask a vet to do a spay if she's several weeks into a pregnancy -- it's an abortion and it's tough for some vets to do, in addition to the fact it's more risky because she's more prone to infection then.

Am I making sense?  See if you have to wait a few weeks and she IS pregnant then he has to abort all the fetuses.  It's better than an "oops" litter, but it's hard for some vets to do this.

See if you can actually *talk* to the vet themself -- tell him she went into heat earlier than you thot she would and given your Dad's inattention there's a danged good chance that she IS preggers and would he please spay her this week and you'll pay him absolutely as soon as this check comes in?

You might volunteer to help out -- cleaning kennels, feeding/watering dogs, etc. -- generally if a vet knows you are willing to work to help offset what he's doing for you they honestly usually try to help.

If you get trapped talking to a receptionist ask for a tech to call you back -- you have to make the point with someone that this dog is 'at risk' because she's out of your control when you aren't home AND she's in heat and Dad just isn't motivated to make sure she stays 'celibate' (for want of a better word).

Then -- your next "mission impossible" is to go ahead and start a vet emergency fund for yourself.  Do whatever you have to do to literally make yourself earn and save at least $250 - $500 and open a separate savings account to do so.  Any time you get your hands on any 'found money' (rebates, school 0r tax refunds, gifts of money) ADD TO IT -- but you will always have veterinary emergencies. 

Billy in my signature got sick 3 1/2 years ago and required several transfusions.  If I hadn't had my own vet 'slush fund' (that's what WE call it here at my house) where I have stashed every bonus I've earned in the past 10 years I wouldn't have had the money to pay for his treatment. 

It's NOT easy being single and living at home and having your own responsibilities to an animal.  I did it for many years (I was 32 when I got married the first time but had been on my own since I was 17) -- but many times I went without so my dog could have what she needed.  And that's where *I* learned to create my own little emergency fund so it didn't always bankrupt ME if she got sick, but that way I could give her what she needed.

Lots of times I was reduced to eating soup from the church's poor cupboard ... and trust me, I've had periods of really deep poverty in my life.  I'm not trying to make you mad -- it's just things you have to actually "plan" for.

Getting her spayed while she IS in heat is more difficult - so be prepared for that.  BUT it's better than letting her stay pregnant.  They're only pregnant for about 2 months and if she's already been in heat for 2 weeks she's likely 2 weeks gone in a pregnancy. 

Trying to determine if she IS pregnant is honestly just plain a waste of your time -- I don't mean that to be snotty.  But unless dad is 100% committed to keeping her locked up ALL THE TIME she will wind up being pregnant.  And chances are incredibly good that she already is. 

My very first dog was a little street stray I dragged in -- she was UNDER six months old -- didn't even come close to having ANY permanent big teeth yet -- but she had ALREADY HAD a litter.  At 5 1/2 months old she'd already delivered. 

It can happen -- boy can it ever.  So honestly just treat her as if she IS pregnant and get her spayed a.s.a.p. 

I hope I've been helpful without sounding snotty -- I truly don't mean to be.  There are a LOT of folks on here involved in rescue and it's difficult to remember sometimes what it's like to feel like you have no choice -- MOSTLY because no one has given you any creative alternatives to figure a way out.

Middie

Sometimes he underestimates how fast she can slip out when he opens the door, or just doesn't feel the need to put her on the chain because the neighbor's dog isn't in sight (at the moment).

Maybe I'm missing something, but how would chaining her help?  If a male dog comes and tries to mount her, and she stands, what has the chain achieved?  Even chain link FENCE isn't much proof against determined dogs - they can tie through it.  She needs to be a) ENCLOSED and b) supervised, until her heat is over.

Lots of females have false pregnancies, and this could be one... BUT I would say that there is a fair chance she might be pregnant, purely that she has been given  the opportunity to get in that state.

Edit - We have an intact female dog who is four.  It can be managed without unwanted puppies, but it does require more vigilance and care.  In your situation I would be spaying her yesterday.... I know that around here there are schemes to help with the cost of spaying if they can't afford it - do you have anything like that in your area?

I'd also like to point out that spaying does not a good dog owner make.  Properly containing and protecting your dog is still ESSENTIAL, whether she is spayed or not.  Your dad needs to be on board with this, even after her op, or she is still at risk.

Isn't there a shot you can give pregnant bitches to abort unplanned litters?  Could you get that done and then wait until the vet says it is an optimum time to spay?  This may work out a higher cost for you in the long run (two procedures instead of one) but more affordable... and possibly better for the dog's health to be spayed at the "right" time in her cycle?  Although I do not know what the fallout from the shot could be?

Regardless of how much money you have at the moment, CALL the vet.  Discuss all the options.  Make it very clear that she is LIKELY to be pregnant RIGHT NOW and you don't want a litter.  Promise me you'll do that as soon as you have finished reading thsi sentence!

Chuffy

Isn't there a shot you can give pregnant bitches to abort unplanned litters?  Could you get that done and then wait until the vet says it is an optimum time to spay?  This may work out a higher cost for you in the long run (two procedures instead of one) but more affordable... and possibly better for the dog's health to be spayed at the "right" time in her cycle?  Although I do not know what the fallout from the shot could be?

It's not cheap and it would still cost her a vet visit TOO -- **plus** she'd be right back in the same boat with Dad not watching the dog carefully so tomorrow she could be p.g. again!

I'm sure also the logistics and reality that a male dog will do ANYTHING to get to a female in heat -- I've seen dogs go thru closed windows and break them, I've seen males scale fences and climb TREES -- absolutely ANYTHING to get *to* her.  They likely have a relatively enclosed yard but truly that is NOT going to protect her even if she is "attached" to the door  because a male *will* get to her and it only takes about one minute or so for it to be all over. 

 The other possible complication that I didn't even mention -- even if she is ALREADY pregnant -- she can become *more* pregnant.  This doesn't happen with humans but it *does* with dogs -- they release about 20 eggs in their cycle -- and if Dog A has already impregnated her in Week 1, Dog B can add his contribution week 2, and even more Weed 3 -- then you have puppies in 3 stages of early development but that get VERY dangerous at time of whelping because some are ready, some aren't and the ones that aren't ready may block the birth canal.  A friend of mind lost a dog this way -- she had no idea a bigger dog had gotten to her dog late in her heat and the bitch died trying to "pull out" a pup that was too big to be birthed.  Very sad - but it can happen if owners haven't been vigilant. 

It honestly sounds to me like this just isn't important to her Dad and I have a feeling she could get promises out the ying yang and he'd still not really be vigilant.  Not her fault, particularly if she's still having to live at home.

I just hope that this week or next you can get it done.   If you don';t then you may have a litter of pups - what do you do then?  If money is tight now how do you feed, spay or neuter those dogs and provide their medical needs puppy worming, shots etc?  Pet ownership isn't easy as you see now and will be even worse if you allow them to multiply.  Crating sounds like the best solution until your funds come in.  You are young but realistically these things should have been worked out and thought thru before you even got this dog.  How will I afford to spay, feed and medically take care of her?  Sometimes we need to really plan before we take on such important responsiblilites.  I am not flaming you and maybe the plans were in place and finances changed, I know that happens - but I had to say it.  Anyone else lurking and thnking of getting a dog I hope reads this and can see what can happen if your not financially prepared.  Best of luck to you and your pup!

This isn't aimed at the OP, but just as general information. The mis-mate shot has side effects that make it safer just to spay the dog. I know spaying during heat or in this case, a possible pregnancy, has it's own risks - but a lot of vets won't do the mis-mate shot.

I'm going to link two articles for information purposes. The second article has one of those stupid pop ups, just close it and you can read the article.

Mismate management(I want to comment on the statement "Since natural mating takes up to 30 minutes, a dog that is gone for only five minutes has very little chance of being mated." - there are dogs that have gotten pregnant from outside ties (penis doesn't fully penetrate) that don't last but a few minutes, so this is totally mind blowing to me that it would be made from a medical stand point.)

Breeding Accidents

Anyway, I'm sorry the OP is having to deal with this. Sounds like you are doing the best you can and when you are dealing with another party, it can make things more complicated. Good luck with your girl and I hope everything comes out for the best for you and your dog.

calliecritturs

It's not cheap and it would still cost her a vet visit TOO -- **plus** she'd be right back in the same boat with Dad not watching the dog carefully so tomorrow she could be p.g. again!

Good point - it was just a thought though  

calliecritturs

I'm sure also the logistics and reality that a male dog will do ANYTHING to get to a female in heat

Trust me, I know....  that's why I say: b) supervised   I agree that the safest thing for this dog is to be spayed NOW, and to work something out with the vet re: cost.  Still... that doesn't protect the dog fully and the dad does need to be on board to properly contain and supervise the puppy, so that she can be safe.... Once she is spayed, it only takes away the risk of unwanted puppies and the associated risks of pregnancy.... it doesn;t protect her from being flattened by a truck

- - 

I also agree that these funds should have been in place before the dog came home... but only because I've been in a similar situation and learned from it!  Chalk this one up to experience, and in know that in future, it's better to save up a lot more cash than the cost of the dog.... before bringing it home.

Just as a note, spaying during a season/when pregnant doesn't necessarily open them up to a higher chance of infection. It can lead to more bleeding during surgery, however.  Most vets can deal with this, though, if it is a necessary situation.  You may get an extra charge, though.

Grab01, not to split hairs but yeah, it *does* because if the dog wound up with pyometra at the end of the heat cycle (so she isn't really pregnant just starting a false pregnancy and/or pyo -- which *can* happen for sure) then yeah, the heat cycle opens them up to pyometra which is sure as heck infection. 

A friend of mine had a yorkie that came thru her heat cycle (very very carefully monitored - they knew she was *not* pregnant) but was giving little "false pregnancy" symptoms and just generally was "off" -- and I convinced them to take her *right away* to the vet just in case ... and yep ... it was pyometra right off the bat from her first heat.

They almost lost her -- it's not super common, but it can sure happen.  But when those tissues are hot, moist and swollen, it's only too easy for disaster to strike.  I wasn't so much talking about the surgery itself -- just the generally increased risk of pyo and "things that can go wrong".

Middie

 :) Thanks for being a little more helpful than the last two posts before you. I'm just worried since I've worked so hard to keep it from happening, and I've read several different articles that say several different things on the matter about linking nipple changes to pregnancy. All the information is a bit confusing. It is then it isn't. It isn't then it is. I thought someone here might be able to raise a hand and say a little more.

I do plan to get her spayed, ASAP (as prior stated, I'm waiting on the money that comes next week). So posts telling me such are a little useless and...not relevant to the question.

I'm a little offended that you would not think it was helpful to refer a medical question to a vet who could answer ALL your questions about nipples, canine pregnancy, whether or not you can spay if she is, in fact, pregnant.