Not an LGD but a Laekenois litter (European stye herder)

[SageHill]

Starting this thread for my litter from Zo and Ree - two working Belgian Laekenois. Beginning posts are from various other threads need to put it all in one place! Thank you @Baymule for the suggestion.
For future reference both sire and dam (Zo and Ree) have the following health clearances:
Hips: Zo OFA GOOD Ree OFA EXCELLENT
Elbows: Zo Normal Ree Normal
Eyes: Zo Normal Ree Normal
CHIC: Zo Ree
CHIC Canine Health Information Center Registry

 

[SageHill]

Long, LONG, LONG day yesterday (9/2/24). 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 told us "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!

 

[SageHill]

Just for fun... somehow the one with Zo seems out of place with losing 3, but it's for the 3 we have so here are some pics. And - yes, the pups will change colors..

 

[SageHill]

We made it through the first 24 hours and things are going in the right direction!

 

[SageHill]

Things continue to go the right direction - thank you God and St Francis.
Little girl who is the smallest screamed the entire first day and night home. It took awhile to get passed that. We could get her to calm down and be quiet for blessed short periods of time. Too hot? Too cold? Too hungry? Have to pee/poop? Long list and no answers. She couldn't find a teat no matter what.
Tube fed her from day 1 until early this morning (3AM) when she decided NO HOW, NO WAY. Tried a bottle - "What? This is plastic What the heck no no no!" Sigh -- bringing back thought of why the heck don't they make nipples with some sort of texture?!! Come on it can't be that hard (thoughts of leather gloves with a hole in the finger enters my mine EVERY time I try this - dogs and sheep, but esp dogs. Can't quite milk out a dog ! Expressed some milk and let it be on the nipple - get the puppy close and let her find it (HA - detection training at it's foundation ). It worked!!! And she's gaining weight .

Puppy pics

 

[Baymule]

I’m so glad you started this! Mom and puppies are doing well!

 

[Ridgetop]

So sad about placenta praevia but so happy you were able to save half the litter! for Ree, for you, and for Fuzzy Face just cuz!

 

[peteyfoozer]

I know you said it will change but that seal color is stunning!

 

[SageHill]

I know you said it will change but that seal color is stunning!

I know!! I love it.

 

[SageHill]

Pupdate time!
Ree still has diarrhea (though it ~might be starting to maybe get better ) she's on 100% boiled chicken and short grain rice. Her temp has been under 102 for almost 24 hrs now
The pupsters are all gaining weight
Boy 1 - yellow collar - birth weight 275 g current weight day 6 482 g
Boy 2 - blue collar - birth weight 209 g current weight day 6 416 g
Girl - pink collar - birth weight 175 g current weight day 6 330 g

Ree's appetite has returned to ravenous - yay. Before she was eating, but just eating.