BREEDING QUESTION... - Page 1

any female would probably have trouble whelping a 2-puppy litter naturally.  Small 1-3 pup litters usually have very large, fat puppies that can get stuck.  Was her litter only the 2 large puppies?  I seriously consider a scheduled c-section if the litter is 3 or less because almost certainly the female will have trouble, pups are too big, too fat or both - they get stuck, they can die and then she needs a c-section anyway to remove dead pup(s). 

But if she had a larger litter and there were just two big ones that got stuck, that's another story then.  I wouldn't necessarily refrain from breeding her again just because of that - instead, look at her - is she is excellent condition, coat, weight?  Or did the litter bring her down, make her lose weight, condition, muscle, coat?  If the litter brought her down at all I'd let her take a break.  If she's in great shape I'd think about breeding her, maybe use a smaller stud dog so the puppies were not quite so large - maybe the way she is built has something to do with it - narrow pelvis or something - making it difficult for her to have larger puppies.

Good luck.

molly

Vets are not german shepherd breeders , and obviously hes not...Gsds are notorious for having big headed pups get stuck,especially if its not 6  7  8  or so....they are so tired and it takes someone to pull the pups out if that happens...nothing unusual    only two of my bitches have had that happen   one never had it happen,,,each female is differently made....

If she in good health   breed her     I now know that back to back in young females is the way to do it...no waiting    then when they are  6-7  end the breeding....good luck...

A bitch can whelp naturally after a c-section......

Gsdlvr,

Also you might want to keep some oxytocin on hand....she could probably use a shot if it if her labor is unproductive after a few puppies.  Sometimes they just get too tired to have productive pushing and the oxy helps!  Get a X-ray or ultrasound about a week before the due date so you know about how many puppies to expectand then keep some oxy on hand and give it to her a little after she is half through with delivery!  Also, get her to get up and walk around and go potty a few times sometimes her moving around will help readjust a stuck pup so it can move on through!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Oxytocin can also kill the remaining unborn puppies.  Use it only when the female is absolutely not having contractions, and only then if you can't get her to the vet.  Giving Oxytocin causes the female to have UNNATURAL contractions.  These contractions may help the puppy in the birth canal be born, but it also can and will cause placental separation in the unborn puppies, which causes death.  So be cautious when using oxytocin when there are unborn puppies remaining.

molly

You must be educated in the use of Oxytocin for sure.....we have used it if needed for as long as I can remember, and have never had a problem resulting from it.   (knock on wood.)....... The 3 times that we have ever decided to "run" to the vet because a puppy was taking "too long" to be born......the vet himself injected the Oxytocin IV....no problems.  Thank Goodness!

A dog that has had a c-section previously,  can have a normal whelp in the future.

Eichenluft,

Sorry, I figured that gsdlvr would use it under the direction of their vet!  I was a vet tech for 9 years and used it with every litter except my first.  Gave it when the momma was just pooped out!  It helped to get the puppies out in a timely manner!  I have always used it with no ill effects. I always gave the oxy IM for slower absorbtion as directed by my vet. 

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

I agree Vickie........I also have always injected it IM.

It has helped us many times.