I am a very small selective breeder, generally one litter a year and I have only been doing this for two years. My love is Poms. I have a 13 month old female that is only 4.5 pounds (her mother was bigger and I hope she would be too as I had plans to breed her). Unfortunately, near the end of this (her second) cycle, she tied with my 7.5 lb male. This was not my intention as I am afraid his pups will be too large and jeoparize the health of the little one. Is my assumtion correct? In the other two pregnancies the mothers were much bigger and both had to have c-sections. Is there a safe method of early termination that won't jeopardize her health or ability to breed when she is older and I find a suitable male? After being so careful for weeks, it turns my stomach that I let this happen. I would appreciate any and all advice.

01/17/03 UPDATE - We are pregnant and looks like we are carrying 2-3 pups. Expecting mid-February Will let all know how it goes. Thank you so much for the support and feedback! :-)

Contact your Vet immediately!

hi peaches.
I can offer no advice im afraid , but for what its worth i think you seem to be doing all you can .. which is the best any owner can do.
Good luck x
Zoe x

Good luck, and im sorry i dont know what to advise the vet is your best man or lady for the job

puppies usually adjust to the size of the mother, according to my vet. He says any dog can get a big pup that causes probs , the big toy ones being one of those problem puppies.
so do not terminate if her pups are big and she cannot bring them herself the vet will section

Peaches don't panic pommie bitches regardless of size are notorious for needing C sections, or the size of dog mating them. A friend of mine had a 3.5lb bitch self whelp 3 puppies to a dog that was over 7lb, yet a 5lb bitch needed a C section for 2 puppies from a 4.5lb dog, it all depends on presentation, head size, hormone levels etc.

If you wanted to prevent the pregnancy you can take your bitch for a 'misalignment jab' on day 3 and 5 post mating to bring her back into season, but there would be no guarantee of success ie no puppies. I would take her to the vets for a check up and have a chat with him about the possibility of her actually being in whelp, a tie late in season does not automatically mean puppies.

Good luck

Misalignment jabs can often cause Pyometra. :(
Discuss with the vet all the pro's and cons.
Especially if you want to breed from the bitch.
My guess is they will want you to continue with nature
perhaps say scan the bitch to see if she is pregnant, how many etc and then based on the scan (if pregnant) advise as to wait and let nature take it's course (natural self-whelp) or c-section.

An update :-)
We indeed spoke with our vet and have decided not to give the hormone injection but wait to see if she is pregnant first. (He said he liked the little thing too much to do that to her!). I am glad to hear she may have few complications due to the size of the male in comparision to her. I would hate to think I have jeopardized the health of my little "snuggle bunny" - she is a true lap dog. So, in three weeks, I will have more news. if she is carrying, we will monitor closely and may schedule the c-section in advance (what are your thoughts on this versus waiting to see if she can have them naturally?). Thank you all for your support.

Hi Peaches
If I were you I would let nature take its course,she may not even be pregnant.Interference now could jeopardise future breeding plans,if pregnancy ensues
and she does need a C-Section it is just as likely to be for some other reason and not the size of the puppies.
Good Luck for the future.
Carole

Hi I agree with carole, i hope all goes well.

Debbie

hi peaches
my freind breeds shihtzu i know these arnt as small but the male that went agross her bich was alot bigger and she had 5 healthy pups no c section yet another of her bitches had same size male as bitch and i had to help these as they got stuck,
You might find that not increaseing her food till 100percent that shes in pup to help keep puppys size down,i find the fiter my dogs the easyer time they have pupping.
good luck to the two of you hope all goes well.
sandy