Puppies!

Abbe finally had her pups at about 3:00 am on October 10 at the Pacific Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service in Capitola. The due date was anywhere between October 8-10. After keeping an eye on her on the 8th and 9th, I decided that the 10th had to be the day. I went to work but I was anxious because although her behavior had not changed, no nesting, no nervousness; I didn't want her to have the pups without me in case there were any complications.

I got home around 3:00 pm and I noticed two spots each the size of a dime in the kitchen area rug. It looked like it may have been some discharge the color was blackish/brownish green. I called the vet and she said if it was just a small amount, not to worry.

I tried not to hover over her and let her be. I had emails to respond to and other sundry chores to do around the house to keep me busy. At about 8:40 pm, Geo called me to check on her status. I told her what the vet said, but I stood up from my computer to see where Abbe went and I noticed 3 stains on my couch. This time they were three spots, each the size of a quarter. I began to worry. I kept a closer eye on her, but her behavior stayed the same. She was understandably slow because of the extra weight she was carrying.

I observed her for about another half an hour but she was still discharging small amounts so I called the emergency vet and they asked me to bring her in because the discharge was bothersome.

Upon reaching the vet, she was seen immediately and was taken for x-rays. The x-rays showed that she had 7 puppies; much more than 4 or 5 which the radiologist at my regular vet was able to see when she was x-rayed the previous week. Wow! Seven! This went against everything that I had thought to be true from the vet and from what I had read.

Usually an early pregnancy (young dog) will produce a small litter.

Usually a small dog will produce a small litter.

The earlier x-ray only revealed 4, maybe 5 pups at the most.

Seven!

But there was a problem. The pup which was the closest to the birth canal was either deformed, a runt, weak, or possibly dead and was in the way. The discharge was most likely the placenta from this sick pup. For some reason this was keeping her from getting the normal contractions. Dr. Johnson recommended that she be given oxytosin to induce the labor. She would administer the doses, one every half hour.

She was straight with me about the potential danger to the rest of the pups because she did an ultra sound and some of the pups heart beat was as low as 160. They brought in some towels, turned down the light and I sat on the floor with her until 2:30 am. The three shots of Oxytosin were each given every 30 minutes, but this did not result in her going into labor. I cried for her because of the potential of the loss and having to have a pregnancy just to see it be ended so fruitlessly.

The dreaded decision to have a C-section had to be made, there really was no other choice. Apparently dogs can only be given general anesthesia for this procedure. No epidural or spinal injections. As we all know, there is always a risk of cardiac arrest with general anesthesia. Since the other six pups were already in distress the prognosis could be fatal for them. But the Doctor felt good about Abbe because she was young and all the blood tests showed her to be a very healthy dog.

She said I could wait, or I could go home and wait for a call. The surgery could take up to three hours, depending on what they find when they open her up. I prayed all the way home and until I fell asleep. At 4:20 am the phone rang and before I could even worry the voice on the other end said "Congratulations!" Abbe had six healthy babies!

Day 1

All of Day 1 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9406780@N03/sets/72157602371437810/

Day 2

All of Day 2 photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/9406780@N03/sets/72157602371437810/

Day 3

All of Day 3 photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/9406780@N03/sets/72157602406064440/

Day 4

All of Day 4 photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/9406780@N03/sets/72157602423813816/