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My dog has pregnancy signs, but vet said false. Was x-ray too early?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 8 months old | 62 lbs

My female American Bully started her heat July 12. Her bleeding stopped around day 7 (19th), we did and AI on the 8th and the 9th day (20-21st) (fresh sperm). We took her to the vet for an x-ray Sept. 1st and vet said no pups, false pregnancy. But she is still gaining weight and she sleeps alot, like 20 hours a day almost. What are the chances she is actually pregnant and maybe it was too early? Pics to help, left is right after heat and right is 3 days ago.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 7th, 2017

Based on your information, the latest possible day for fertilization of eggs with sperm would be July 26 (sperm can hang out up to 5 days to fertilize the eggs). An ultrasound can detect pregnancy after 28 days, and x-rays can be used after 45 days. It seems like it was too early to see any fetal skeletal development on Sept 1. I would recommend another x-ray next week to confirm if a true or false pregnancy. You can't judge if a dog is pregnant based on the size of their belly alone. An enlarged belly can happen with other things, like organ enlargement, cancer, or an infected uterus.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 9th, 2018

    HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If she started bleeding 7/11, dogs aren't fertile for another 5-7 days. So she may only be 3-4 weeks pregnant, There should be no outward signs this early. At 28 days you can do an ultrasound. At 50ish days you can have an X-ray done. There is a possibility she isn't pregnant but is having a false pregnancy. This is a hormonal imbalance that occurs after a heat cycle where the body thinks it is pregnant when it isn't. It goes away in 1-3 months. The dog can have mammary gland development,milk production, nest, carry stuffed animals around like babies and act anxious. Though they do not gain weight. So I think it is just too early to tell you for sure, unless you have the dates wrong. Good luck!

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