My small dog is pregnant by a large dog. What are the risks and options?

Question

My Millie, 3/4 yorkie and 1/4 jack russel, might be pregnant. The only contact is our Robbie, 1/2 boxer and 1/2 german sheperd. They are both beloved pets but I`m worried because of the size of Robbie. What shall I do? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 4 years and 3 months old | 9.5 lbs

Anna M., DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This is a little bit of a predicament! I do share your concerns. While Millie may end up being just fine with this possible pregnancy, there would be concerns if she bred with such a big dog, and especially if she ends up with a small litter. Puppies tend to grow much bigger if there's only 1 or 2, and that coupled with the size difference could cause problems in Millie's labor. The safest option would be to have Millie spayed immediately, and that would remove all the variables of whether she'll end up with a dystocia (problems in labor) later on. This would be the safest option for Millie. If you do choose to let Millie proceed with this possible pregnancy, I definitely recommend touching base with your vet right away for guidance. I would absolutely recommend having Millie x-rayed later in her pregnancy so you know how many puppies you're anticipating (this helps us know when it's ok for her to be done delivering puppies, so we don't worry that there's still a puppy stuck in there!), and learn how to monitor her temperature to watch for the temperature drop that can signal impending labor. This will help you be on the lookout for the warning signs that her labor may not be progressing as it should, which could lead to a necessary C-section. I hope this helps, and feel free to request a consultation if you'd like to discuss this in more detail!

My small dog is pregnant by a large dog. What are the risks and options?

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