OK all, Im normally very level headed and sane when it comes to pregnancy and whelping, but Ive turned into Mrs Worrywart with Angel. She only saw the vet on Friday, and he said she is fine, but she has something happening that Ive not experienced before, so Im posting to all the gang to see if any of you can put my mind at rest.
She has most of the usual symptoms...Teats geting bigger and going very pink, constantly looking for food, very loving etc. However, although she has sprung her ribs, she is very much more swollen on one side than the other. When you look down on her while she is standing up, one side def. bulges a lot more than the other. Could it be she only has puppies in one horn of her uterus, or could it be that the uterus has not folded the tail piece up yet to make the two layers? I hope Im worrying over nothing, but advice would be really welcome. Thanks

Hi its Jo, didnt see your post as I am new what are you worried about? Brief outline will do

Hi Jo, Very long story, but briefly, I have recently acquired a bitch who was not in the condition she should of been. Vet has confirmed pregnancy. I have bred shown and owned Wolfhounds for over twenty years, and am normally quite calm and capable during pregnancy and whelping, and the vet only saw Angel on Thursday and said she was fine. However, when you stand above her, and look down, she is very much bigger one side than the other. I wondered if perhaphs she was only carrying pups in one side of the uterine horn?

One or more on one side, can she be scanned to check it is not only one as you will need to be prepared if she is carring only one large puppy for her not to be able to give birth in the normal way, she may not have strong contractions. If there are several on one side I don't think that will cause a problem. And sorry I thought it was about human pregnancy not welping and I know nothing about that although I have helped deliver twins but they were not mine, if you see what I mean. Ja:)kie

Hi Jackie, the vet can feel two possibly three whelps, but as she is so early on in her pregnancy(just four weeks) I think there may be more. I never thought Id turn into such a worrywart over a natural process like giving birth!!!

As the birth process is started by the pups and not the dam I think you are right to at least consider the problems that may happen, Singleton puppies are often a problem to deliver because they do not produce enough of the hormone, or whatever, to start the bitch into labour. As it is so early on that the vet can feel, I'd relax for a bit and may be see how she is in a couple of weeks, if you still worried have a scan then you will know what is going on. Ja:)kie

Hi Philipa

Have not got a clue what advice to give you :) I just hope evrything is ok and she has a great pregnancy and lovely pups :)

just wanted to say good luck phillippa, hope everything will be ok

Theresa

Hi Phillipa, I find that Valium helps!! joking I am surprised that you can see a bulge at only 4 weeks, had she been further i would have said that the horns were turning. If she has been checked I would not worry at all. Instinct tells me that she probably carryind on one side unusual but it does happen, I was at a ceaser and all pups were in one horn. Is she uncomfortable?

Hi again Jo, no shes fine, happy and eating well, even rolling on her back wiggling about, but she was so bad when I got her, perhaphs I am just feeling extra protective towards her.

Hi Philippa I hope she has a trouble free birth and all pups are safe and well, and I hope you are geting all your sleep now. Debbie :)

Thanks Debbie x

How is she now, pls let us know we are all interested.
debbie

Hi Debbie and Cleo, Shes doing fine, apart from her damaged hip is giving her a lot of pain. She is very very fat, so we shall just have to wait and see for numbers!!! Her coat is starting to grow back, and she is a very happy content little dog, so now it is just wait and see, and fingers crossed time!!! Thank you for the interest in her.

phillipa wanted to send you pics of my pups, but u got no email, if you would like to see them email me so i can send you them, does anyone else want a look.

debbie x

Hi deb, I dont know why its hidden, but anyway, Id love to see pictures please

sighthounds@hotmail.com

hi all , not a breeder so i can offer no advice.Just want to say that by the sounds of it she is in the best possible hands,and she will sense that.
Also , can any one explain the "horn" thing? ......and if my other half's reading this " not that horn"

Hi Zoe, The uterus in the bitch is a bit like a Y shape and the the two branches at the top of the Y are called the horns. This is where the pups develop. At about five weeks the Y shape folds back on itself and becomes ( sort of ) two layers. hth a bit

that does help ! thank's ! i was begining to imagine two bull's horns in the stomach ! not very nice ! lol
Zo x