C-Section? - Page 1

I have a female at 62 days today with only one pup onboard. This is her first litter. Started taking her temp Sunday at 101.4 and it has gone down to 100.3 as of today. Due to the pending Holiday/weekend I scheduled a c-section with our repro vet just in case. I would have to bring her in by 11am tomorrow or take a chance of dealing with a potential emergency situation later. I appreciate any feedback from those having dealt with single pup deliveries.

I have had 1 monster pup litters twice. Both ended up haveing C-Sections. I would go for the C-Section if it was my dog.

Definitely schedule an elective c-section. Because pups grow to fit the size of the uterus, a bitch might find it impossible to whelp a litter of one. I'm sure that your repro vet would not perform surgery without checking your bitch's progesterone levels. IOW, you bitch may have conceived several days after the actually breeding. I know of a friend's bitch (conceived a litter of 2) who did not whelp until nearly a week following her first breeding. My repro vet checked her progesterone level and determined that she was not nearly ready for an elective c-section. As it turned out, I went to my friend's home and delivered two huge, healthy pups after the bitch went into labor. The repro vet had agreed that I could call her at home if there were any problems. However, if you did progesterone testing when your bitch was in heat to determine when your bitch ovulated, you are probably safe to do surgery.

C.Section is the best way forward. From the point of view of your bitch.... a "cold" planned c/s is without much risk, save from the anaesthetic, which is a minimal routine risk -whereas if she runs into trouble an emergency c/s with possibly a full tummy leaves her in danger of developing mendelsons syndrome and the complications if not fatality of that at least. From the point of view of the puppy. With a planned c/s the vet can get everything ready and running, taking only minutes to get in and get out the puppy, which should not have any trauma at all.. whereas in the middle of the night, again as an emergency, staff may have to be located, the puppy will be in trouble which is why you would be running to the vet, and the pup stands the chance of damage due to being weakened even before the sedation of mum. The hormone that releases for natures way of getting the bitch into labour, is dependant from the placenta, and as there will be only one placenta, then the release is sometimes not enough to jolt the girl into natural labour, then the placenta after 63 days begins to fade, and then foetal annoxia will do away with your pup inside, leaving the mum open to infection... I have done both ways, and would never opt for a natural birth of a singleton again. My first attempt I ran with nature, and nature let us down. We lost the pup, and still had to have a c/s to remove it. Second time around some years later, a healthy pup by c/s was a good outcome for mum, puppy and ourselves. Good luck, please let us know how it goes. Mo Lakin - Mascani.

Can they do an ultrasound first to see the size of the puppy at this time? before cutting? Maybe it is not oversized. You have an appointment anyway, why not ask for the ultrasound to look at the size? It might pay off if the pup is normal size and so is her pelvis. Just a thought. Maybe the C-section is still the best way to proceed, but, maybe not. If she was mine, I would want a look inside first. Best of wishes either way.

Ehrenwald, I agree the C-Section is the safe way to go. May I make a suggestion as vile as it sounds? Please save all of the afterbirth for her to eat after she awakes. It will trigger her instinctive knowledge that she is now a dam. Good Luck! Bob-O

Excellent idea to schedule c-section. Waiting to see if she can have one puppy on her own can very well result in an emergency c-section to remove a dead puppy. Much better to schedule one and have a live puppy as a result. Good luck. Also great idea from Bob-O about the afterbirth - that's something I had never heard of or thought of before, and something I will remember for future c-sections! VERY good tip. molly

Excellent suggestion Bob-O because they dont know what went on and they can reject the pup if you dont know how to intoduce it...I put milk from the mom on the pups face and introduce it slowly...but the afterbirth would solve the problem and work....still be careful the first day or two....keep constant watch and monitor... Be sure to have emergency milk ready and heating pad and anything necessary incase she rejects pup...Have heard that happen for a day or two Veronica had similiar situation...the milk didnt come in after the c section.....and no colostrum for new pup.....she eventially lost that one pup....anc it was a c section....pup did a week or two ago...he lived to 3 weeks old and wahlah gone....dont know why....??????

I was very apprehensive with the idea of a c-section until I actually did one on my dog. Due to the size and positioning of the pups, and the nature of the afterbirth, my vet felt she would've ended up on the table regardless. Instead I had 5 healthy, live babies, and a safe momma. I'll never be afraid of one again. She was in a bit of shock and in discomfort and it took her a few days to get used to the idea of caring for pups, and I had to intervene for a few days, but it was well worth it.

Thank you eveyone for once again providing sound advice! I am leaving with mom shortly so I will let you know how all goes, Thank you again! Greg