What you can tell, and when
| Days after mating | At home | At the vet |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 14 | Nothing reliable | Nothing reliable |
| 14 to 21 | Possibly a clear mucus discharge or a slightly different mood or appetite | Too early for tests |
| 21 to 28 | Nipples may become pinker and slightly larger. A little morning sickness is possible | Experienced vets may palpate, but it is not dependable |
| 25 to 30 | Appetite may rise | Ultrasound or relaxin blood test |
| 35 to 45 | Belly begins to broaden, more weight gain | Ultrasound shows more detail |
| 45 onward | Belly obvious, milk may appear later | X-ray shows skeletons; count best from day 55 |
What to do in the first weeks
- Keep her away from intact males until you are sure of the dates.
- Do not change her food or give new supplements before talking to your vet.
- Write down the mating dates and the first day of her season.
- Book the ultrasound for day 25 to 30 using the scan date planner.