breeding after a C section? - Page 1

Question for you breeders is: If your dog had to have a C section are they able to have a normal birthing later without problems. My females first litter only had 1 puppy, a big one. So C section was the best way to go. I was going to breed her again right away so she could have a normal delivery before  turning 4 yrs old, but I have heard with people that this can cause a need to do another C section. Is this true in dogs also? Should I wait until next cycle? I'm just not wanting to put her in any undue danger. I was wondering what others have experienced. Thanks for any advice

Cathy 

I would think that you would be fine to attempt normal birth afterwards-especially if there is a normal-size litter of puppies inside. Often when there is but one (1) or two (2) puppies they can be too large for normal birth-hence the C Section.

You should have the bitch's vulva examined for the presence of a stricture, which can cause her to be too tight for normal birth. The good news is, that these are easily corrected.

I would not be hesitant to breed her again, once she is determined to not have any physical complications such as a stricture. But, I think it is wise to always have a competent veterinarian available just in case.

Best Regards,

Bob-O

When having just one or two puppies, those puppies typically can grow to be too big to fit through the birth canal and go through a normal birth. I had this happen when the 2nd pup out of 3 did a shoulder presentation and thus caused a c-section.
I would absolutely NOT breed her on the next heat post c-section -give her an entire year to heal internally as well as externally-she may appear healed and normal on the outside, but you can't see what might be going on inside. It's in the best interest for your girl. If your vet checks her prior to breeding (a year later) and everything seems ok, then you can consider and proceed. Keep your vet on call when you have that next litter just in case-we did.
My girl went on to have a litter of 9 a year after her 1st litter of 3 requiring the c-section. She whelped the 9 smooth and without problems due to the pups being smaller. The same sire was used as in the first situation but it proved no problem. We even had a third litter a year after the 2nd litter and had 7 healthy pups without whelping issues-same sire again.
So sometimes things just happen, unfortunately. Best wishes.

Since your female is already older, I would breed her on her next heat cycle.  If you are really hesitant or do not feel comfortable breeding her on her next cycle, then wait one cycle. Do NOT wait more than one cycle. If you wait too long at this point you may have further problems with conception and whelping. I have bred a female on the next cycle following a c-section and she whelped normally.  I have seen many dogs bred post c-section that whelp normally.  Do check with your vet pre-breeding, do an ultrasound pre-breeding if needed and be ready to do another c-section if needed (if the puppies are big or it is an unusually small or large litter). 

My girl has had 2 c-sections, a year apart. I do have her bred again, and I did do it back to back with her last one. It was a small litter and she is in great shape, and in the event she did not conceive she would still be young enough for me to try again. This will be her last litter, though, I don't feel it's fair to continue to open her up.

She did have a hard time caring for the first litter the first 5 days, I think she was in a lot of discomfort and in shock. Even after she started caring for them she was never that into them. The second litter she was an awesome mom. I was really afraid of the idea of a c-section at first, but I feel much better about it now. I have not lost a puppy yet, and my girl is healthy and safe as well. I have a wonderful vet that does a great job of sewing her back up.

If you get your dog xrayed, your vet should also be able to tell how "ready" they are by the bone calcification.

Our Cira had a c-section due to 2 puppies, we rebred her on the next heat cycle and she was able to have a normal delivery. Although we were ready for the c-section just in case. Our vet vet when doing the c-section made the smallest inscision that I ever saw which help to limit the scaring. When I said small it was only 3 inches long unlike others that have had this done.  Hope this helps

Huh. I'm surprised so many of you are saying you bred your girls right after a c-section. We went by our veterinarian, who told us not to do it. It didn't cause problems to wait that long at all. We were told it could cause an internal splitting of the uterus if a large litter is carried right after a c-section, so we didn't even think to risk it and didn't. Might be ok, but I'd personally not wanna risk my girl.