hi, i just wanted to know if in a giant breed dog what is the most reliable wasy to detect pregnancy a scan or getting to the vet to palpation (sorry if spelt wrong!!) also in a giant breed is it harder to detect from a scan earlier on?
Thanksx

Both methods are only as good as the operator!  Some Vets are very good at palpating at 4 weeks.  They're feeling for a string of pearls at that stage.  Some are not experienced and therefore wouldn't be very helpful.

The same is true of scanners, whether used by Vets or other people.  An experienced person can find pups from 21 days.  Some people can't find pups at 28 days.

So the answer is to find someone experienced in detecting foetus by whichever method.

the most reliable pregnancy test is a simple blood test, you will get  yes/no  she  is/isnt  in whelp,  it obviously wont tell you how many and it isnt a gaurantee that there will be a litter but at least you will know if she is in whelp at 28 days.

> the most reliable pregnancy test is a simple blood test,

This test (Ralaxin hormone test) is not particularly reliable until late pregnancy, but which time most people can see if a bitch is in whelp.

Most people will either have a bitch palpated earlier than this, or scanned.

I have always had mine scanned, our guy says from 21 days now but i leave until 4 1/2 - 5 weeks now, by then i can usually tell anyway though, but i like to get the confirmation.

I have found relaxin reliable from 28days

K

Found this here: http://www.nwlabs.co.uk/newsletter61.htm

Relaxin - Canine Pregnancy Test
False negative results 

The Relaxin test is used as a marker for canine pregnancy. The test is claimed to be sensitive from 21 days post fertilisation. However the test has been troubled by false negatives. This was thought to be related to confusion over the date of fertilisation. Because of delay in sperm transport and actual implantation, the date of fertilisation can be as much as 5 days later than the date of insemination. 

Handleman et al in an evaluation of 40 bitches observed that the test was sensitive to litter size and noted that small litter sizes (1 - 4) may predispose to false negative results when tested at 25 days. The sensitivity of the test for pregnancy at 25 days was estimated to be 70%. They advised that testing should be delayed to 30 days which increased the sensitivity to 75%. They advise that animals should be tested at 30 days.

In a recent case a bitch with a litter of 3 pups had a negative Relaxin result at 30 days. It may be advisable to retest negative bitches again at 35 days. It should also be noted that the test may also give rise to false positive results due to resorption or abortion of the litter. It is important when submitting to give an accurate mating date as this can help with the interpretation of borderline results.

Reference
Evaluation of a test for plasma relaxin in pregnant and non-pregnant bitches. Handleman et al 2001 ACVIM proceedings.

i have my giant breeds scanned by an excellent vet.

what day do you take your giant breeds to be scanned?

28 days as a rule