[SavageK9]

Hi everyone my girl is anticipating her 2nd litter. Litter #1 came to us right on time at day 63 with all the usual precursors. Today we are at day 64 and being the worrisome mother I was just looking for the opinion of others. She has shown minimal nesting behaviors just circliled her whelping box a few times through the evening and has spent a bit more time in her crate than usual. Her temp is steady around 100.2 in the morning 100.8 in the evening. She still has a good appetite and desire to play as always. From everything I've read there should be no reason to worry for at least another few days but after calling the vet to check in this morning she claims our puppies should have already come and has recommended getting a c section!!! I would never consider putting my girl through an unnecessary surgery. Can anyone chime in on this topic?

 

[Shane'sDad]

Someone here will correct me if I'm wrong but thinking back to the one and only litter we ever had.... I seem to remember Sheba producing milk days or maybe a week before the first pup......I've always thought that was one of the "predicters" along with a temperature drop....is your girl lactating yet ?? Even if you're certain when she was bred-I wouldn't think day 64 would be time to get out the scapel..was the vet planning on a x-ray or scan before surgery to see where the pups were ?...I'll shut up... hopefully one of the members here that also breeds will chime in with "real'" knowledge......bump

 

[lhczth]

Do you know when she ovulated? That is the best prediction for what day she is on. If you bred her before ovulation she could still be a few days off. Her temperature is still high for whelping. I, personally, would get x-rays done long before I would do a section. If she is carrying a small litter the pups may not put out enough hormones to signal the body that it is time. X-rays first.

 

[SavageK9]

We did an xray on the 25th that showed 7 puppies. I did some nipped stimulation the last couple evenings and she is lactating. I also found it wild that my vet would recommend c section without even bringing up oxytocin to induce natural birth. Which either way I don't think we are at that point. So we have settled at taking her temperature every two hours from here forward and she's actually gone down to 99.8 from this mornings 100.2 reading.

 

[SavageK9]

Attached xray

 

[lhczth]

NEVER use oxytocin to induce labor. NEVER.



So you know for sure she is pregnant. Do you know what day she ovulated?

 

[wolfy dog]

I am a birth doula for humans so here are my tips: leave her alone, (meaning; don't check her, leave her nipples alone, don't mess with her) for several hours in a place she feels comfortable. Relax yourself so she won't pick up on your stress. Stress will postpone the normal onset of labor in humans and animals. Get a cup of tea and read a book while you keep her in the corner of your eye. Walk her gently and in a relaxed way. Maybe some of the pups need to re-position themselves. Gentle spinning may help, or bows (going down with just her front legs, butt up). This works with my human clients.
We mess too much with birth; animals and humans alike.
Good luck and wishing for a healthy birth and healthy puppies.

 

[SavageK9]

I'm sorry if I was misunderstood I do not agree with giving oxytocin unless absolutely necessary and never at home. I use vanilla ice cream to help her along but I wouldn't even go as to use calcium boosters without a veterinarian present. We did not do progesterone testing she was on the 14th day of heat at the time of the tie. So unfortunately I cannot say when she ovulated exactly.

 

[SavageK9]

We are down to 98.5 this morning but still very active wanting to play ball. A touch of panting but still not much nesting although I have noticed her checking out corners as she goes around the house.

 

[lhczth]

Has she started?