How Much is a Pregnancy Test for Dogs? (Prices & Options)

Okay, so my fluffy girl, Bella, started acting a bit… off. You know, more naps than usual, a little extra chunky around the middle. My first thought? "Oh boy, is she pregnant?" I've never dealt with doggy pregnancies before, so straight to the internet I went!

Figuring Out if Bella's Expecting

First things first, I needed to figure out if I even needed a pregnancy test. I learned that dogs show signs pretty similar to humans, like morning sickness (yep, doggy barf!), weight gain, and a bigger appetite. Bella was ticking a few of those boxes, so I decided to investigate further.

The Vet Visit

I booked an appointment with our vet, Dr. Emily. She's super chill and always explains things in a way I understand. She did a physical exam, feeling Bella's belly, but said it was still a bit early to tell for sure just by touching.

The Test Options!

Dr. Emily laid out the options:

• Palpation: Basically, feeling for the puppies. Best done around 28-30 days after a potential mating.
• Ultrasound: Like with human babies! This can detect pregnancy earlier, around day 20. Plus, you get to see the little heartbeats!
• X-ray:This can be done after day 45, once their bones, can be clearly seen the number of puppies.
• Relaxin Hormone Test: This is a blood test that checks for a hormone called relaxin, which is only produced during pregnancy. Dr. Emily said this is usually done around day 25-30.

Making a Choice (and the Cost!)

We decided to go with the Relaxin Hormone Test. I just really needed to confirm the pregnancy. Dr. Emily's clinic charged me $150 for visit and the blood test. I've seen online that prices can vary from place to place, sometimes ranging from $200 to $400, depending on the vet and maybe your location.

The Results!

A couple of days later, Dr. Emily called with the news: Bella was officially pregnant! I was a mix of excited and "oh wow, what have I gotten myself into?" But mostly excited. Now, the real fun begins – preparing for puppies!

So, that's my experience with figuring out how much a dog pregnancy test costs. It really depends on what test you choose and where you go, but expect to shell out a bit of cash. Honestly, though, knowing for sure is totally worth it.