Dog pregnancy

Hi vets is there a way for my vet to know if my dog is pregnant early on (she came out of season about 3 weeks ago)? I've just found out (they were left with a family member) my 8 month old male puppy got into my in season bitch one day although I don't think anything happened I know there's only a small window for the pregnancy stopping injection to work but I'm struggling financially due to unemployment and don't want her to have it if she isn't and doesn't need it...I've not slept worrying about it and embarrassed to speak to my own vets 😔

Hello - when you say he 'got into' the female but you don't think anything happened, I assume you mean that he got into the area where she was, but you don't think they mated.  If they did mate, there may be up to a 50% chance of pregnancy resulting.  Mating can be quite quick.  My first comment would be, never be embarrassed to speak to your vet.  Vets have no interest in judging owners; their job is to help your pet.  What's more, it is difficult to own an in-season bitch and a male in the same household and never make a mistake.  The best method of pregnancy diagnosis is by ultrasound, after 3 weeks.  Before 3 weeks, a positive is often true but sometimes you see 'false negatives,' ie the pregnancy is there but the ultrasound doesn't pick it up.  Non-veterinary methods (looking for changes in the female) can take a lot longer to show.

There has been a licensed mis-alliance injection available in the UK, which can work as a post-mating contraceptive.  Another solution which your vets may be prepared to offer, is simply to spey as a form of contraceptive.  In both cases, vets are likely to be most willing to do this very early on, before signs of pregnancy are seen.

Therefore, I think that the best idea would be to call your vets and ask for an appointment, and if you can bear to, to tell the receptionist.  This is because, where time is sensitive and with busy waiting lists, you may be given a priority appointment.

Just to be clear, after a certain number of days post-mating, your vet might be unhappy to perform any procedures - chemical or surgical - and certainly I'd perceive them to be more stressful for the patient.  Therefore, we would advise discussing the possible mating with your your vets, as soon as possible.