Hi
Does anyone here have any experience with whelping a single pup?

My friend has a 2 year old mini schnauzer bitch (first litter) which the vet did not believe was pregnant at all after palpation, but had the blood test done which came back with a positive result, vet said must be single puppy. She is now day 66 of gestation, has lots of milk and seems very happy in herself (eating, drinking, playing)

I have read on another website that sometimes there is not enough hormones to start labour off with a single pup and/or the pup will be too big to birth anyway so elective c section is needed??

My friend is concerned (not told her what I read on website!!) spoke to vet this morning who said don't worry, just wait but he is not a vet who deals with a lot of breeding

I have bred larger breeds in the past with no single pup litters so I'm no help!!

Any experiences of this?

Thanks

Yes I've had 2 single puppies over the years.  They're usually in no hurry to come out as they've got no siblings pushing and shoving!  But I would use the bitch's temperature as a guide if she needs to be unzipped. 

Thanks for your reply; do you mean a drop in temperature to indicate imminent whelping? The vet told her not to bother taking temperature, he said not a reliable indication?? Which is why I'm a little concerned she's not got the best vet in this instance

I would go by West coasts advice and take temp regularly(vets are generally pretty inexperienced in whelping,and i wouldn't take his word for it that it's a singleton either).I've never had a singleton but i did once have a much smaller than average litter for my breed and she didn't start till day 67 which like yourself i put down to less hormones to bring about labour.All was fine and she had a very easy whelping once she started so i wouldn't worry for a day or two yet.Good luck.

do you mean a drop in temperature to indicate imminent whelping?
Yes, as with many things it's a technique that's as good as the knowledge and experience of the person doing it! ;)  Vets are often too eager to unzip but of course, there's a time and a place. :)

Thanks for your replies will pass on to my friend; I've not got alot of confidence in the vet, wouldn't surprise me if her bitch has 2 or 3!!

i had 1  and the mum had her on time with in a hour.. a single pup is a lot hard work once it get to week 4 .

if she not had a puppy bye monday get her to the vet to be scan just incase

I had a singleton pup once. She was 11 years old on Thursday ;-) I had her mum scanned a couple of times, just to make sure that there was only one. They eventually had to start her off as nothing was happening. The plug had come loose, but there wasn't anything else moving.

If the bitch is happy enough and there has been no sign of the plug, or labour, then I would take her for a scan on Monday. She may have had the one pup, but re-absorbed it. Better safe than sorry. :-)

My friend asked the vet to scan the bitch and he said it would be easy to miss a single pup so would not be conclusive anyway; I'm pretty sure by monday (day 68) something surely needs to be done???

If she had re-absorbed the pup would she still have got her milk in?

after mine had her 1 pupp at 7.30pm  bye 9 pm she was at the vet to make sure thare was no more puppies and that was done by a scan,
i not thing a pupppy can be miss at this late date if not  x ray her

having the same breed as your friend i scanned my bitch  showing 3 pups, vets said lots of fluid well she delivered 2 days ago we had 8 healthy pups, can ypur friend not get her girl scanned ? good luck with everything , x

Well I can say tonight that singletons can be delivered with relatively no problems as I have just proved it! I had given up on my girl being in whelp as at just over 7 weeks she was tucked up and just not looking in whelp. Due next Tuesday a few days ago I had a careful relaxed feel of her tum and to my delight felt movement but was sure there was only one. She is a maiden and has just produced me a little girl and is taking to motherhood well , I hope this continues. So I hope your freind has one safely as well or maybe more! 

Congratulations!! Will suggest she has the bitch scanned and keep you updated on the outcome.....