Tips to know:
A pregnant dog’s reproductive system changes as well as its hormone levels. This is the reasons that a progesterone and urine test will not be accurate. The perfect pregnancy test would be one that detects the levels of relaxin. It is highly suggested that the exam is taken after a month of gestation.
A visit to the vet is always the best option, especially if you don’t feel comfortable taking a blood sample from your dog at home. Your vet may be able to detect if your dog is pregnant or not by simply be feeling your dog’s abdomen since there will be swelling around the placental sites.
A false negative result may occur if the test was performed too early in the pregnancy or before the placenta has started to produce the relaxin. If your dog was tested 30 days before post-breeding, it may be wise to perform multiple tests to confirm the results.
How much does it cost for a dog pregnancy test?
The cost of a dog pregnancy test will depend on which route you prefer. An over-the-counter test, which you can purchase online, can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 or more, whereas an x-ray, ultrasound and/or bloodwork at your local vet can cost $25 to $65, plus the typical office visit fees, bringing the grand total to about $65 to $125 or so.
One forum member on FunAdvice.com said that there are available dog pregnancy tests that cost about $20 to $30 that you can purchase over the counter. You can ask your vet if they sell these, or you can visit a local pet supply store.
Does a positive relaxin test mean a dog is pregnant?
A positive relaxin test indicates that a dog is pregnant at the time of the test – conception has occurred, implantation of an embryo has taken place, and a placenta is developing.