PUPPIES ARE HERE!!
4 girls & 3 boys
Emergency C-Section
Yesterday, August 26, 2012
More info &
Pics coming soon!
Now for the rest of the story. It has taken me days to be able to write this. As stated above, I rushed Dara (a.k.a. Frostfire Spellbound) to the vets on Sunday, Aug 26, 2012. My gut told me something was wrong. Dara's pregnancy had been "textbook", everything following along like it should. Her temperature dropped Saturday, August 25, 2012, morning and while I don't breed often I expected puppies to start arriving shortly (within 8 to 10 hours). I called Dr. Stacey Saturday morning to give her an update.
I was up all night Saturday/Sunday checking on Dara and no puppies. On Sunday morning, I became concerned and called Dr Stacey. I told her what was going on and my concern there were still no puppies after 24+ hrs. Also, as I had been monitoring Dara's temperature, I noticed her temperature had started to creep back up to a more normal (non-pregnancy/whelping) temperature. Dr Stacey agreed (with me) she should probably check Dara.
I loaded Dara into the van and off we went to see Dr Stacey. Dr Stacey examined Dara and saw a "water bag" in the birth canal. She thought Dara might be "ok", but decided that she should probably do surgery anyway because Dara's temperature had been down 24+ hrs and had started to creep back up. I was in total agreement and my gut told me the puppy was stuck. Dr Stacey called her husband, Keith, to assist her with the surgery. While we were waiting for Keith to arrive, Dr Stacey prepared for the surgery. She set up the puppy area where I would dry and revive the newborns and she set up the surgery room next door where she would perform the operation. Keith would assist with the surgery and bring the puppies to me.
Within minutes of the start of the surgery, Keith brought me the first 2 puppies. These puppies were right behind the stuck puppy. In what seemed like a "flash" in time, Dr Stacey had all the puppies out and I was working frantically to dry and revive them. We managed (Keith & I) to revive and save all 8 puppies -- 5 girls & 3 boys.
So (you ask) how did I end up with the 4 girls and 3 boys in the title? Here is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Quit reading now, if you can't handle the realities of Nature and Life.
There is a saying ... YOU CAN'T FOOL MOTHER NATURE!!
Any intervention by us ... IS intervening with MOTHER NATURE!
Drugs, any drugs, are powerful and none of us know how we or those we care for will react to the use of any drugs. This "issue" was no different. Dara apparently had a bad reaction to the anesthetic and the puppies didn't fare much better initially. While Dara and the puppies were still under the influence of the anesthetic, none of them were acting normally. The puppies were screaming, screeching and not wanting to nurse; Dara was apparently having problems focusing and comprehending. In her condition, Dara bit and killed one of the girls and slashed and bit the right rear leg on one of the boys. I immediately called Dr Stacey and rushed the boy back to the clinic. Dr Stacey looked the puppy over, as best you can check out an injured newborn puppy. She thought the wounds were more superficial and used surgical glue to put him back together as best she could. I took him home and contacted my friend, Bonnie Cary (Mystic Collies), on how to feed newborn puppies. Bonnie set me up with the "tools" I would need to feed the babies.
I kept Dara away from the puppies for the entire night. She was unable to hear or react to the puppies or any of my other dogs. She just rested and I took care of the feeding and cleaning of the puppies. The next morning I brought Dara in to see the puppies, at first she was not really interested in them. However, I took precautions to make sure she would not injure a puppy and then I had her get in the pool with the puppies and lay down. Dara laid down with the puppies and allowed them to nurse with out a problem. After observing Dara and the puppies for about 15 to 20 minutes, I decided to allow her to have a little more freedom. Dara started to nuzzle the puppies and has been an awesome mother since.
On Wednesday, Aug 29, 2012, I took the puppies in to have their dew claws removed. I had Dr. Stacey check out all the puppies, especially the injured boy. I didn't really like the way he was looking, but I wanted Dr Stacy to verify my "thoughts". Dr Stacey said she didn't think he would "make it" and we agreed it was best to end his suffering. That is how I ended up with my current number -- 4 girls & 2 boys.
I believe Dr Stacey did everything within her abilities and without her and the help of her husband, Keith, I wouldn't have the 4 girls & 2 boys I have. Dr Stacey and all of the staff (including Dr Price) at Countryside Veterinary Service, LLC in Taylorville, IL are WONDERFUL!!
I highly recommend them to anyone.
