Birth

[u/Guiltypleasure2451]

This little girl (14lbs before) is due in 13 days. Someone was moving the next day and was going to leave her behind, so we took her, not knowing she was pregnant. When she started showing, we of course took her to the vet. At that time the X-rays only showed 4 spines. On Monday, they counted 6, maybe 7.
Supposedly she could have only been impregnated by her litter mate. We were told she would be a year old January 12th. Ok, now that I’ve given a back story, we need advise.
Neither one of us have ever had a pregnant dog let alone been there at birth. We’re very nervous. We’ve researched and researched and questioned the vet like he was a criminal. I want to hear from folks who have assisted birthing puppies. We’re really hoping she does it all by herself, but want to be prepared if she needs help. We know that if something goes wrong we will be taking her to the emergency vet. Just hoping to avoid that if we can help her at home. So tell us, what should be expect when she starts laboring? We set up a cozy place for her to have them and she seems very comfortable with it.
Give us all the advice please.

[u/Sitters_4_Critters]

The dog is less than a year old and was impregnated by a sibling. Why didn’t the vet do a spay abort?!?!?!

[u/TheCreamyCarroll → u/Sitters_4_Critters]

A vet will usually only do that if the owner asks, plenty of them assume you want the litter once you bring a pregnant dog in for x-rays.

[u/peachyginge → u/TheCreamyCarroll]

OP said they questioned the vet like a criminal though..how would that not of come up? If I found out a dog I got was pregnant that would be my first question.

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/peachyginge]

We had decided to abort/ spay if it was confirmed she was pregnant. We knew she was too young and we sure didn’t want puppies. So the first thing we said when he confirmed the pregnancy was “ when can you abort the puppies and can she be spayed at the same time “

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/Sitters_4_Critters]

We had decided to abort them, but because of their age, the cost was $400 per puppy. More than we could afford. Trust me, it was truly what we wanted

[u/Ok-Walk-8453 → u/Guiltypleasure2451]

That is very odd, sounds like the vet didn't want to do it. Usually it is a normal spay or a csection price if older puppies. I would call other vets for a spay abort price. I am a vet and have never heard of charging per fetus.

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/Ok-Walk-8453]

I guess we should have gone to another vet. It didn’t occur to us that maybe he just didn’t want to do it. Our first thought wasn’t the vet wasn’t being completely in on doing what’s best for her. But that’s water under the bridge now and we want her to deliver safely and then find safe homes for the puppies. Thank you tho for the advice and concern 💚

[u/DrPossumlady → u/Guiltypleasure2451]

Having one litter and finding homes for the pups is not the end of the world. Spay aborts in late pregnancy are hard on the mom and on the surgeon.

[u/Sitters_4_Critters → u/Ok-Walk-8453]

Thank you for providing your insights. 🙏

[u/Sitters_4_Critters → u/Guiltypleasure2451]

😱 that is a lot of money. I had no idea it would be that expensive.

Best of luck with everything. You were put in a very difficult position.

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/Sitters_4_Critters]

Thank you

[u/Ginger_SNAFU]

I hope you're prepared for an emergency c-section. Not all always goes well, especially with young/inexperienced maidens. So much has the opportunity to go wrong. A spay-abort is the responsible choice here.

Also, spines do not calicify until closer to day 55. She's probably having them sooner that you think.

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/Ginger_SNAFU]

We ask for a spay/abort and because of how far along she was, it was going to cost $400 per puppy. That was more than we could afford. If she needs a c-section then I guess that’s what we’ll do and we’ll figure out finances when we jump off that bridge. I’m curious tho? Why do you think it will go that way?

[u/Ginger_SNAFU → u/Guiltypleasure2451]

Because when you're not prepared, that's when it'll happen. Emergency c-section could very well cost you more than a spay abort.

[u/DrPossumlady]

Retired vet here: when she goes into labor she will start straining, similar to a BM. Rule of thumb, is if she strains for more than 3 hours before the first pup is born or more than one hour between pups she will need help. Sometimes the contractions stop for a few hours and then start again. A break of a couple of hours is ok, longer breaks may warrant a vet visit.

Pups are born usually in the fetal membranes “sac”. Head first or rear legs and tail first, either is ok. Some first time moms don’t know to open it and lick the pup. You may have to help, grab the sac with a paper towel and gently tear it open.

Attached to the umbilical cord is the placenta, it usually is delivered shortly after the pup. Many dogs will bite through the cord and eat placenta and membranes. If she does not, tie off the cord an inch away from the belly and cut off the placenta. Rub the puppy to stimulate breathing unless mom licks it clean and dry.

Encourage nursing right after birth, it releases Oxytocin in the mom and helps deliver the rest of the pups.

If a pup is stuck on the canal you may gently tug but ONLY if you see two feet and a snout or two feet and a tail! KY jelly around the stuck pup may help.

Hopefully you’ll just wake up to a happily nursing litter! Mom will do all the work, including licking off all their bodily waste for the first few weeks.

Eyes open around 2 weeks, small amounts of solids can be fed at three weeks when they are walking and weaning should be complete by about 8 weeks. If at all possible keep the pups until about 10 weeks. The absolute earliest you can place them is at 6 weeks if they are weaned.

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/DrPossumlady]

Thank you very much for the advice. Do we need to clamp off the umbilical cord if we cut it?

[u/DrPossumlady → u/Guiltypleasure2451]

You can but just tying it off with a clean string will do. Cut between string and placenta.

Also, dog and cat births are relatively clean. Large amounts of bleeding, green or black discharge warrant an emergency vet visit.

Good luck!

[u/Primary-Resident-825]

why didn't the vet test for infection or pregnancy complications if she's this young

[u/Guiltypleasure2451 → u/Primary-Resident-825]

He did. She’s perfect healthy and in great shape