still born pups question for breeders - Page 1

OK Ive been breeding for 7 years and I still cant get over loosing those last pups during whelping. My vet say oxytocin is too dangerous, could loose pups and bitch. Anybody ut there that can give me some suggestions as to what may have worked for them.

I have run into the same problem. Might be conditioning and the shape of the female, at the time of the whelping. None of the few I lost on the "tail end" of the process appeared to be deformed or abnormal. I started 3 months ago, jogging my females one mile out and back(2 miles total), once a day, 5 times per week, to better condition them and hopefully I will see the whelping process get shorter, resulting in fewer born dead. I am on the bike and they are jogging. They determine the pace and they are doing it in much shorter time, than when they started this routine. I am anticipating better result in the over all whelping process. Just an idea. Stephen

Although I have never needed to use it (I've only had one tiny runt still born so far), I have many breeder friends who frequently use oxy without any problems to date. I agree that the condition of the female is essential in the whelping process.

I agree the shape of the bitch is important. However we were thinking that maybe the room was to warm. It was 78-80 degrees which is where I lke to have it for the newborns sake, but maybe this is making the bitch tired near the end.

Why does your vet say oxy is too dangerous, if you were to bring the her in, what would they do?? They would give her oxy, just like a human gets ptocin..... You never want to give it before any pups are born because it could cause the uterus to rupture and you have to be sure you don't have a pup stuck, but I use it all the time.... I think the 12 hours of labor is far more tiring to bitch and pups than a shot if timed correctly..... and I've been doing this for 20 years or more.... You do have to find a vet that will work with you and help you.. the practice I use says if I need more than 2 shots of oxy I need them .....and I'll go with that.... You can tell if things just aren't happening or if there is a problem by her behavior....

Oxytocin is your answer if you find the female taking too long to deliver the pup. Towards the end I was finding the female would contract and not produce a pup within 30 min. If I gave her a shot. Pup came out moments later fine. The times I waited past 30 min from the contraction, the pups were by just a few minutes. I'm not a vet, so don't rely on my information alone. I would recommend different opinions. I'm convinced 100% Oxytocin saves pups.

Yes I assume the Vet would use oxy if you brought the bitch in but they would probaly xray first to make sure there was no problems and it is a controled enviroment there, with facilitys that would take care of any emergencys that would arise . I am 30 miles from the Vets office.

Oxytocin should only be used by someone truly knowledgeable of its potential side-effects (in addition to the risk of uterine rupture). Repeated injections may produce TACHYPHYLAXIS and premature placental separation (resulting in delivery of dead pups which have been deprived of oxygen). Oxytocin must not be given during active, non-productive contractions or in instances of fetal mal-presentation (best diagnosed by xrays). Yes, oxytocin produces uterine contractions but it must be complemented by CALCIUM (usually in some form of IV calcium or the use of one of the new oral calcium gels) to "TONE" the uterus. Nope, I'm not a vet either. However, I have assisted during numerous whelpings (with my own bitches and with scores of bitches presented with dystocia at veterinary emergency clinics).

what Louise said. I had oxytocin on hand always, but rarely use it at all, after being warned by my vet years ago that giving it when some puppies are unborn can cause placental separation and resulting suffocation and death. Best if the female is too tired to whelp naturally without assistance, or there are other problems preventing her from whelping on her own, take her to the vet - they can use oxytocin there and be prepared for c-section if necessary to save the remaining puppies. molly

I doubt one injection of oxy will cause a whole bunch of problems as long as the bitch is not in obvious distress.. which would indicate a trip to the vet and I'm also about 25 - 30 miles from my regular vet, closer to 45 to the Emergency clinic that I prefer to use .. I also assisted at enough c-sections and whelpings to feel comfortable in my decisions .. In the case of someone who doesn't have oxy, you need to call the vet sooner than later..