Baymule
Herd Master
I was worried that things were not going well. I’m grateful for your vet, grateful that Ree and 3 puppies were saved. What a blessing!
what an emotional Rollercoaster!Long, LONG, LONG day yesterday. Gestation on dogs is 58-65 days. Belgians tend to be early - less than the average 63 days.
The Cliff's Note Version:
Ree started out temp drop 98.1 - normal, uncomfortable - normal. Lots of licking - normal, no contractions - not normal, I did a finger exam and had dark green to black "liquid"/mucous. BAD NEWS. Meaning ruptured placenta. Mom dog health and puppies all at risk with that.
Couldn't get my vet (and he's usually very good) so went to the nearest ER vet -- they couldn't start on her until ~3 hours from the time we got there, we could not be near to watch or help with pups, said pups would go in an incubator and they'd keep momdog for at least 3-4 hours after the surgery, and "you can spay her now too" -- might as well say "want fries with that?" GRRRRR and vet would NOT listen to what I had to say and seemed annoyed that I was messaging with Ree's breeder in Spain -- she has 29 years of breeding experience - the vet not a breeder.
Did an ultrasound to see if there were viable pups. Yes there were.
Headed to the next ER vet with specialists. A friend who also uses my vet got through and he called me as we were close to the specialists. Turned around - went home for maybe 45 min??? then off to my vet. Csection started still before that first jerk of a vet would have started.
I was in the room while the csection was done, had pups handed to me, I was part of the picture and could be in as deep as I wanted. LOVE MY VET. 3 dead -- one had detatched about a week ago - was rubbery (you who've seen that in lambs understand), the next placenta ruptured probably a few days before - still inside sac. next ~maybe could have made it - he tried and tried but could not get a heartbeat. Three alive - 2 boys and a girl. Girl is improving - small but gaining being tube fed and is finally learning to hunt for a nipple (and not constantly screaming). Next for her will be to latch on.
My vet uses as light an anesthesia as possible - "you can always increase" he says. I knew that from previous litters. Ree was brought out of anesthesia and was awake for the ride home - from start to finish about 1 hour. Take that you ER vet we were at first. Jerk. Young with a superiority complex and condescending attitude.
Tube feeding the girl now every 2 1/2 hours and she's gaining! And she's no longer screaming constantly, and is now hunting for a nipple. Next to get her to do is latch on. Both boys are doing well. All are either gaining or not losing weight. Rees is being a fanstic momdog.
And that's the Cliff's Notes version of my last 36 hrs. A bit sleep deprived. Sleep is not overrated!
Yes, her first litter, and she was not spayed at the c-section so, God willing nothing else happens, she will be able to be bred again if I choose.Such an ordeal for you and Zo. Hope the 3 continue to come along and do well. Is this her first litter? Will she be able to have more in the future since they did a C-section? I am assuming your "good vet" did not have to do a "spay" while in there.....
I call that a major achievement! Hahaha!Hubbs complains about my earthquake sneezes. We were on the front porch and an achoo snuck up on me. The neighbor’s car alarm went off. “See!” he said.