Our bitch is now 53 days and I think the puppy had died?  She was scanned at 45 days and only one pup on scan, she only produced two last time so no surprises that only one on scan, we were hopeful that another may have just been hiding as they do.  Yesterday, day 52 we noticed a very small amout of discharge on her bedding, very dark! Knew this was not right so we went to the vets this morning for a check up. Vet was not overlly worried about discharge (took her bedding with me) but I asked for a scan.  Confirmed one pup in situ and all looked well with bitch i.e. no signs of Pyro thank goodness but vet failed to find a heartbeat so she said that perhaps the pup had died or it could just have been a weak heartbeat?  Has anybody had this and then gone on to whelp a pup?  I am not expecting her to but just wondered.  Also the vet said to treat as if still pregnant and that she will either absorb or expel the pup if it had died and to keep an eye so we are waiting to see if either happens.  The vet said to watch over due date and if she goes a few days over and no pup either whelped or expelled then to go back for a scan to check and they can take action.  She is very well in herself, eating, sleeping and etc and temperature was normal.  Since the little discharge yesterday nothing else, still soft at rear, milk present also if you squeeze a little.  Can any of you wise folk advise as to what I need to watch out for and is there any hope that the heartbeat was just missed?  Any guidance appreciated. Not looking forward to Christmas although I just hope the bitch is ok, fingers crossed.

Happy Christmas all!

I am sorry to read this, what a worry right on Xmas. Hopefully everything will be ok. I can't offer any practical advice but just tolet you know I'm thinking about you and have everything crossed!

I have had a pup with no percetible heartbeat that I massaged and swung for almost 2 hours.  (They don't call me tenacious for nothing.)  He eventually ended up running around the garden of a vicarage!  So never say never taggabags.  I do think that your girl would be showing signs of being unwell if pup was dead.  Always the optimist, I would continue to feed her the same as any in whelp bitch.  Be positive, and I have fingers crossed here for you.  Good luck.

Thanks ladies, has certainly put a hold on Christmas!  Bitch is fine, have done temp yesterday and today and was 99.80 yesterday and 99.00 today!  She is trying to find a den I think as other than out for toilet she is lounge bound with access to our conservatory where her whelping box is set up.  Keeps going behind the sofa and scratching like mad at the carpet so think this is lounge digging!  She is otherwise well and eating well too. We are just hoping that if a pup has died she has more than one!  The black discharge about 1/2 teaspoon  was last Tuesday at 3pm.  On weds scan said one pup and could not see heartbeat?  Vet said thought it must have died or could just have been a faint beat?

Nothing else of note on Weds, on Thursday I checked her back end and a small mucous discharge dark coloured but only slight thank goodness!  No other discharge seen and we are bedding her on white vet bed in case she expels and eats, we would imagine there may be some staining as a trace?  I noticed two micro sized red spots on kitchen floor but that is it.  She is still fat for her, teats pointing and milk evident!  Just a waiting game, I am more worried that if had died she does not expel but will not let her go past 63 days without further scan!

If she does deliver I will take note Jean and see what we can do?  Trying to be optimistic but feeling rather sad!  Comfort is that I have 5 beutiful dogs still and just hope my bitch is ok and does not have any ill effects!  If she does whelp any pups there are loads of names the kids have come up with, Miracle, Hope to name but a few!

taggabags,
I have just read your thread. If she hasn't delivered by now down to the vets. C/section. The scratching was labour. Are the whites of her eyes pink? Experience this! Don't leave it, it sounds like she can't deliver.

Denese

Oh I hope everything is ok, will keep looking in for your next post.

One of mine can scratch about like that for a few days before going into labour, its when the serious shredding of the newspaper starts that I know she is going into labour, but another bitch I have gave no signs at all just the heaving panting, no scrabbling and no shredding paper, alll bitches are different.

If the mucus at her back end goes green and gungy get her to the vet asap, thats what happened a few wks ago to me and it was a dead pup, my bitch had an emergency c section.

Hope she will be o.k.

Marguerite

I think she is scratching in lieu of getting into the garden to dig, has only done this maybe two or three times in a day, she slept peacefully all night next to me now sleeping on the sofa!  She is find in herself, temp at 37.5 and no discharge now for a few days!  I have given her lots of paper in a large box made as a den but she also has a whelping box, crate and basket to choose from.  Her eyes look fine.  Marguerite, on what day did you get the green gungy stuff and also did she have any live puppies? Also did you have any scans and if so what were the results?

SHall keep you all posted as often with these threads you never find out the end result - fingers crossed but on guard.  Will not hesitate to take her to the vets if she appears struggling, off colour, high temp etc

Glad she is nice and relaxed at the mo, fingers crossed she will have a live puppy.

How is she doing today ?

Hi Taggbags

She was 4/5 days early, but this bitch always has been an early whelper, the vet managed to save 1 bitch pup  (had 3) and she is now 5wks old and into everything, I honestly think having a singleton is harder work than a litter, as you have to amuse them more and play with her instead of her playing with her siblings. Luckily I have other dogs that are playing with her.  I stopped getting scans years ago.  Hope everything goes o.k. for you and your bitch.

Marguerite

Since last post not much change, there was another little spot of brown/dark discharge yesterday morning but only a miniscule amount, keep checking her back end and wiping for any traces but nothing since. She is sleeping mostly and still going under table, behind sofa and on two occaisions into her whelping den, having a scratch then going back to bed.  Her temp yesterday was 37.5 on both checks and this morning it is 37.3.  SHe is eating and drinking ok, stools fine and no sing of any gunk from back end.  Still enlarge teats with milk present upon squeeze. Not terribly big in the abdomen but with only one or two expected.  What I am concerned about is that if the pup had indeed died as we expect, surely she would have expelled by now?  I am sure labour will not start as it would be a live pup that kicks it in?  I wish I had a stetho to listen to her tummy but placing ear to belly can hear lots of swishing of fluid like lots going on.  Me and my daughter had a feel last night and felt light butterflie movements more like bubbles than good old puppy kicks? Putting this down to two things, either the dead puppy liquify or with only perhaps one live then the bubbles feeling were movements, expect if only one in there alive then would not see her belly moving?  She woke me at 3am this morning nesting then fell asleep?  Fingers crossed, will keep you all posted and will be off the vets if anything not normal occurs? 

Since last post not much change, there was another little spot of brown/dark discharge yesterday morning but only a miniscule amount, keep checking her back end and wiping for any traces but nothing since. She is sleeping mostly and still going under table, behind sofa and on two occaisions into her whelping den, having a scratch then going back to bed.  Her temp yesterday was 37.5 on both checks and this morning it is 37.3.  SHe is eating and drinking ok, stools fine and no sing of any gunk from back end.  Still enlarge teats with milk present upon squeeze. Not terribly big in the abdomen but with only one or two expected.  What I am concerned about is that if the pup had indeed died as we expect, surely she would have expelled by now?  I am sure labour will not start as it would be a live pup that kicks it in?  I wish I had a stetho to listen to her tummy but placing ear to belly can hear lots of swishing of fluid like lots going on.  Me and my daughter had a feel last night and felt light butterflie movements more like bubbles than good old puppy kicks? Putting this down to two things, either the dead puppy liquify or with only perhaps one live then the bubbles feeling were movements, expect if only one in there alive then would not see her belly moving?  She woke me at 3am this morning nesting then fell asleep?  Fingers crossed, will keep you all posted and will be off the vets if anything not normal occurs? 

Have posted update Lisa as below, thanks for the interest, still crossing fingers! Have not left her since Christmas eve so no Sale shopping for me?

>placing ear to belly can hear lots of swishing of fluid like lots going on

What you are hearing here is almost certainly her digestive system ;)  The only way to hear puppy heartbeats, as far as I know, is with a Stethoscope ;) it would help you hear any live pups (they sound like ticking watches)   Probably too late to send for one now tho ;)

If you've never felt pups before they could feel less vigorous than you'd expect - especially near to birth when there is less room for kicking ;) and a singleton would be difficult to feel with certainty.

Keep an eye on her now, if there is only one live pup it may not be enough to start labour off,  :( 

By the way, neither of my bitches has ever shredded paper but by watching them closely I know when they've started. 

I think we have to sit with fingers and paws crossed until D Day! With a view to a Vet quickly if she goes downhill? I think it depends on the breed with whether labour will start with a singleton? Certainly in Yorkies we regularly have singletons and no problems with establishing labour? Never read anything about it either with a singleton pregnancy...but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen!

I think it's very hard to 'feel' a singleton and they do slow down tremendously in the last couple of weeks...keep us updated though please? Good Luck! Dawn x

Evening ladies, well latest is that little miss has slept most of the day but tonight am certain have seen some ripple type movements over her abdomen on a few occaisions, like little tidal waves? Spotted small amount of clear mucous discharge about two hours ago but only a tiny amount, just been out for a wee and she had more discharge (clear) hanging, much less than I recall from her last litter 4 years ago but it was clear, sticky and thankfully not smelly!  Shall keep you posted, just wondering if she will go into labour if no live pups or is this just the steps to expelling?  Vet 1/2 mile down road, number on speed dial if any probs.

thanks all

WOW sounds as if 'lift-orf' is imminent! Praying for a happy outcome...be lovely to prove the Vet wrong for the NICEST of reasons! ;-) Keep us CD Aunties updated pppplllezzzeee!?

Following your story taggabags, No Breeding experience to offer, but just wanted to pass on best wishes for you and you'r girl xx
Good luck.

You do realise don't you, that we are all waiting with bated breath?   :-)

Thanks Husky, this has put a whole new angel on Christmas and supposed to be off work on leave, feels like a 24/7 duty!  I am just so pleased that as I type my girl is ok, this mating was not planned but the "accident" has been handled as any planned mating would!  My bitch did not catch last two matings with top stud dog so we retired her and brought in a lovely little bitch!  She had a silent season and my husband had taken the dogs out with a friend who thankfully has same breed!  He rang in a panic to say that she was tied!  Expecting her not to catch we took for a scan only to find she was in whelp LOL, cost me a fortune in stud fees with no results then just when your back is turned!!! Anyhow, since then have followed the book of the bitch to every word, worming, feeding and 110% TLC, (usually only gets 100%) and just when we had all agreed it would be great to have a pup things went wrong - On Xmas eve!!!! Anyhow, have been up and down since then but have resigned myself to no puppies but want a healthy bitch and now all these mixed signals, will be a very interesting read once this thread is closed either upon safe arrival of pup or puppies or the epelltion of the little pup that appears to have died?  On this occaision I am hoping the vet has got it wrong!

Keep you posted guys and thanks for the kind wishes, vm appreciated!

So am I!!!!
I keep checking, hopeing for a good outcome :) :)
Lea :) :)

Bless you Jean, I have spent the past week in my pyjamas having lost the will to even get dressed!  hubby is not moaning at having the whole bed to himself as I sleep on the couch to keep an eye!

In my heart I know this will not turn out exciting i.e. puppy but you have to remain a little optimistic. IF she does whelp any puppies she will prove all the books, vets, and internet sites wrong!

Take care

all waiting for new's which ever way it goes, with fingers crossed for your girl.

fingers crossed here for you.

Linda

You will know soon. Thinking of you, all the best. x

I have been following your story - praying that there is a happy outcome.  What ever the outcome is you couldn't have tried harder for your girl.  Veyr many best wishes to you - I really hope that next time I log on you have posted of a miracle.

Seems loads of us on here are really wishing for the best outcome for this scenario, will keep looking in :-)

Update for all you lovely supporters out there - Little lady slept like a log all night, snoring her head off as I sat watching her at 4am reading book of the bitch in case I missed something.  Anyhow before bed last night I watched her belly for hours as I was still seeing those little ripple waves every now and then on one side!  One was even a big lump, i.e. as you would expect from a big move of a pup - who knows.  To double check whilst she lay stretched out I laid my hand on her belly for a bit and felt many a push!!!! So now I am more optimistic, it is either a live pub or the worlds worst indegestion but it was more than a ripple, more like a lump up then down!

Just woke from a bit of sleep and have done her temperature and it has droped to 37 (has been around 37.5 - 37.6 last week) which is 98.6 so still doing all that a whelping bitch should be on day 59!  Just can not see how all this would go on if she had a dead pup only for over a week!

Keep you all posted ladies and so many thanks for your best wishes

Awwww that sounds hopeful, so lovely to feel those little puppy movements in her tum, it'll be so brilliant if there is a healthy live pup at the end of this, got everything crossed for you and your girl :-)

Fingers crossed,best of luck.I like many others will be reading all your updates with baited breath.Jude.

came straight here for an update, fingers still crossed for a live pup.

Still watching hopefully at this thread, I do hope it goes well for you and there is a posititve outcome.
Karen :)

Me too. I am so crossing everything for you.

Another one here waiting with bated breath and logging in every few hours for news, I so hope there is a live birth and all is well.

Suspense is killing!  Fingers crossed.

Just another week give or take until we all know one way or another.

Her temp is now 36.6 so has defo dropped and she is like a hot potatoe searching for a den.  Just had her out in the garden for a wee and she ran under the shed!  We did not even know there was a way under, she is not usually in the back garden last few weeks I had to climb through shrubs to get her to come out, missing under shed for all of two minutes, came out covered in dust (she has white legs) and thankfully back end all looked clean with no signs of anything!  She is searching for a nest for sure, is very well in herself and eating although she thought about it before she had breakfast!  Sorry to keep you all hanging, this has lasted 8 days for me!  Will just be pleased when the pregnancy is over!

Keep you posted

I would have to look under the shed just for peace of mind, sounds as if something is really going on now, will keep checking in every hour :-)

Can not get behind myself, sending hubby out to check but it really was two minutes max and I was out there but will check, just dug out torch for him to use!  Her temp is now 36.5 so staying down!

Keep you posted although  mindful this is becoming a very long thread, lets hope it is all done with soonest. My hubby thinks it is hilarious that so many others are waiting with bated breath!

Regards All!

Doesnt matter how long the thread it its an interesting one :-) anyway its good to check the shed, thats what OH's are for lol, sounds like your girl is really looking for the perfect place to go into labour, nature is a wonderful thing and she'll keep going until she's completely happy its just the right place, check back later.

Good luck taggabags sounds like you may have alive puppy.Have been checking this thread every hour.
Hope & pray that all goes well for you and your girl.

fingers crossed all goes well for you and your girl

Thinking about you and your girl hope everything goes well

Have been following this thread with great interest - really hope it all works out well.

She has just refused her food!!!! still can not believe that she would go through all these events whilst expelling a dead puppy and that perhaps there is a live pup kicking off labour!  Will keep you all posted.

Good luck,hope everything goes well for you and your girl.

Food refusal a good sign :-) will keep looking in.

come on babies!!! you can do it!!!

Well i really do hope she has at least one live puppy for you, and i do agree that if it was dead in there for over a week things would be very different. Fingers crossed and ill keep my eye on this thread, hopefully within the next 2 days as im off sick AGAIN.

Louise