Getting close but could be too soon

[PugkinPie]

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As mentioned in my intro a few days ago, I'm expecting a litter but dates from her ultrasound don't match the dates from mating. Expecting a minimum of 5. Currently 59 days post tie and 53-56 according to scan, so either late ovulation or small pups.

I temped her last night at 9:45pm and she was 36.8 (98.2) temped her at 2:30pm today and she's 35.4 (95.7) so huge drop. Bout of panting at 10am today but soon stopped, very fatigue but no nesting. Her vulva is swollen and dropping. I'm predicting tomorrow but the fact there's a possible 6 day gap and risk of non-viability.

With her being possibly 53 days, I'm debating whether to go for vet admission unless anybody has advice experience with an earlier litter?

 

[Hemlock]

Like us (and any other mammalian female) there is a spectrum of "normal". Mostly bitches go the full 63 days from the first tie, bearing in mind that fertilised ova don't settle and embed right away. So if she were mine, I wouldn't be expecting labour yet. Is this your first litter as well as hers?

Can you feel the pups move when you rest a hand on her lower abdomen?

 

[PugkinPie]

Thank you. It is her first as well as mine in over a decade but of a larger breed.

She's slept a lot over the evening and switching between her blanket, to the floor to her cool mat - general heat possibly, but she seems settled now. Haven't bothered temping her for tonight.

The pups haven't moved as much, I had to get my doppler out for a piece of mind, which I heard and disturbed 1 or 2 in the same section of her horn [sagging teat] area where as 2 days ago they were visibly rolling around.

 

[Hemlock]

They often puke as they start labour, so don't be worried if this happens.

I'd advise your vet of the imminent arrival (I always did this) and especially as she is a breed that often needs a caesarian. If in any doubt at all about how things are going, she should see your vet. Sometimes the car journey is enough to set things off.

But as far as taking temperature and whatever doppler is (I only know it as a physics thing) remember that the more you hassle a pregnant bitch, the less she will relax and let nature take its course.

 

[PugkinPie]

She had a loose stool early hours this morning, which turned normal after breakfast and now she's having yellow stools! Local vet isn't open on weekends so hopefully she hold out until Monday otherwise it's via emergency contact.

Yeah she isn't fond of the doppler static sounds via the speaker but is okay when used with headphones.

Thank you for your info, it really helps!

 

[JudyN]

I'm getting quite excited Do you have potential homes lined up for the pups? Are you planning to keep any?

 

[PugkinPie]

Same! I do; we've been getting to thoroughly know around 8-9 potential owners since January in case any back out, narrowed down from approx 30 on the list.

We'll be keeping one regardless of gender but not specifically pick of the litter, unless one stands out to us!

 

[PugkinPie]

We have lots of panting this evening!

 

[PugkinPie]

And now some light pushing!

 

[JudyN]

Oooh... Is your vet on standby just in case? I hope everything goes brilliantly... and you get at least some sleep tonight!

 

[PugkinPie]

He is indeed, I've got his personal OOH phone number. My mentor hasn't been much help which is a shame.

Hope so, I'm supposed to be at work at 6am but looks like I'll be calling in if they've not all arrived by 4am partner will take over duties if I go in.

 

[PugkinPie]

We're having to go to emergency vets. 1 sac turned into 2 together and she's stopped pushing.

 

[Whippylove]

I hope all goes well

 

[PugkinPie]

After the assessment, they gave the option of intervention with taking her bloods, calcium, xray, ultrasound and then oxytocin but only giving her 20 mins to produce a pup or a c-section. We've opted for the c-section. And she should be ready to collect in 1-1.5 hours.

 

[PugkinPie]

She's coming around from the anaesthetic! Thankfully.

7 healthy pups have been delivered, 4 girls and 3 boys. No cleft pallettes so they're going to try latch them on for their first feed when she's fully awake, but some may require being fed at home.

I was told it was a wise decision to go when she did because her uterus was prolapsing from attempting to push the 2 sacs out.

I'll definitely won't be allowing her to have another litter after this.

 

[Ash2021]

Hope mum and pups are all doing well

 

[PugkinPie]

She's doing well, a little shakey to begin with. She's drinking and just eaten. First feed was by bottle, she's beginning to allow them to latch onto her until she feels uncomfortable, they can't access all teats atm, bottle for back up. They've cried an awful lot to be honest, trying to keep them warm with a long hot water bottle and mum when she lays with them as well as fed.

 

[Hemlock]

All the best with Mamadog and litter. Exciting times to come!

 

[JudyN]

Congratulations!

 

[PugkinPie]

Thank you. She's doing really well, eating sleeping and doing her cleaning duties. Milk is slowly coming in too, we tried to feed on her other side - she can fit 4 nicely or 5 with paws flying everywhere. Alternate and top up with bottle. Pups didn't settle properly until 9:05am, so I've had no sleep!

We have felt ID collars, would it be safe to use them now? Just to make weight tracking easier. Their markings are very similar and we can only distinguish one chunky girl from the others!