Large stud bred delivery problems
Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 12:00 AM Updated: 09:49 AM
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By R.G. Elmore, D.V.M.
Copley News Service
Q: Unfortunately our small female dog was accidentally bred by a much larger dog and required a Caesarian section at the time of the birth of her four very large puppies. Our veterinarian was fantastic. Our dog and her puppies are doing very well, although we have to supplement the puppies now since they are growing so fast and require a lot of nourishment. Although we would like to have a couple more litters we do not want our dog to have to go through another C-section. We will have her bred to a much smaller dog in the future. Will our dog have to have another C-section if she gets pregnant again?
A: Fortunately, most dogs having Caesarian sections do not have to have C-sections at the subsequent pregnancies. In fact, it has been estimated that three-fourths of all dogs having C-sections have had subsequent litters by normal, unassisted births. However, without knowing more about why your dog required a C-section, it is impossible to tell you whether or not subsequent C-sections will be required.
If your dog has an abnormally small or misshaped pelvic canal, it might be that she will never be able to have offspring naturally regardless of the size of the puppies. The same conditions causing her problems during the last whelping might still be present during the next delivery. If the problem was simply the size of the puppies, a future C-section might not be required. Having your dog in optimal condition at the time of the next whelping will help assure that a C-section is not needed.
Your veterinarian can give you the best advice regarding when and to which male you should breed your dog. Your veterinarian can design a complete wellness plan including appropriate vaccinations, internal and external parasite control, nutrition, and the proper amount of physical activity to prepare your dog for her next whelping. Having one Caesarian section does not mean that your dog will have to always have surgery to deliver puppies.
Q: We live in an area where box turtles are fairly common. We are wondering if we are seeing the same box turtles from year to year. Are the bigger turtles ones that have been around for a few years? We have thought about putting a paint spot or number on the shells to see if the turtles are the same ones we saw last year.
A: It is quite possible that some of the box turtles you see from year to year are the same ones. It is not uncommon for box turtles to live for 20 years or more.
During the very cold months of the year, box turtles go into a state of suspended animation. Prior to entering this form of hibernation, most turtles increase their eating so that they have adequate stores of fat to sustain them. Most box turtles bury themselves under leaves or grass while hibernating. Hopefully, your turtles will continue to flourish and return each spring for many years.
Send e-mail to copleysd@copleynews.com or write to Pets, Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Only questions of general interest will be answered in this column.
© Copley News Service
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
Copley News Service
Q: Unfortunately our small female dog was accidentally bred by a much larger dog and required a Caesarian section at the time of the birth of her four very large puppies. Our veterinarian was fantastic. Our dog and her puppies are doing very well, although we have to supplement the puppies now since they are growing so fast and require a lot of nourishment. Although we would like to have a couple more litters we do not want our dog to have to go through another C-section. We will have her bred to a much smaller dog in the future. Will our dog have to have another C-section if she gets pregnant again?
A: Fortunately, most dogs having Caesarian sections do not have to have C-sections at the subsequent pregnancies. In fact, it has been estimated that three-fourths of all dogs having C-sections have had subsequent litters by normal, unassisted births. However, without knowing more about why your dog required a C-section, it is impossible to tell you whether or not subsequent C-sections will be required.
If your dog has an abnormally small or misshaped pelvic canal, it might be that she will never be able to have offspring naturally regardless of the size of the puppies. The same conditions causing her problems during the last whelping might still be present during the next delivery. If the problem was simply the size of the puppies, a future C-section might not be required. Having your dog in optimal condition at the time of the next whelping will help assure that a C-section is not needed.
Your veterinarian can give you the best advice regarding when and to which male you should breed your dog. Your veterinarian can design a complete wellness plan including appropriate vaccinations, internal and external parasite control, nutrition, and the proper amount of physical activity to prepare your dog for her next whelping. Having one Caesarian section does not mean that your dog will have to always have surgery to deliver puppies.
Q: We live in an area where box turtles are fairly common. We are wondering if we are seeing the same box turtles from year to year. Are the bigger turtles ones that have been around for a few years? We have thought about putting a paint spot or number on the shells to see if the turtles are the same ones we saw last year.
A: It is quite possible that some of the box turtles you see from year to year are the same ones. It is not uncommon for box turtles to live for 20 years or more.
During the very cold months of the year, box turtles go into a state of suspended animation. Prior to entering this form of hibernation, most turtles increase their eating so that they have adequate stores of fat to sustain them. Most box turtles bury themselves under leaves or grass while hibernating. Hopefully, your turtles will continue to flourish and return each spring for many years.
Send e-mail to copleysd@copleynews.com or write to Pets, Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Only questions of general interest will be answered in this column.
© Copley News Service
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
