Hi again I just wanted to drop by and let you know how little Willow is doing,it's 2 weeks today since she was born into the world via c-section weighing a tiny 2.4oz, after a very stressful, tearful week she started improving, she's now 7.2oz I'm amazed. I just wanted a little advice on her eyes not been open yet, she's 15 days and although you can she the slit of the eyes there not actually open yet, books say 10-14 days, should I be concerned.

Just as you start to worry you will look at her and see her looking back at you! She probably hasn't read the same book as you :)Personally I would say not to worry especially as she had a bit of a slow start but others with more experience of breeding ( I have only had 3 litters) may shed more light on this.

in 1 asnswer no :) ive had pups not open their eyes till day 17 so plz dont worry x

It's hard not to worry, but I am sure she will be peeping at you before you know it :-) Some do take a bit longer than others.

I've had pups not open their eyes till 20 days   All the signs were there but on the 20th day there was barking and howling from the whelping box as they found they could see and found it strange LOL   that's Belies for you - if in doubt - Tell it off!

> should I be concerned

Nope!  :-)

Years ago I had a litter of 7 (apologies to those who have heard this before),  first pup opened eyes on day 11, a couple 2 days later etc.  etc.  Until day 17 when one pups eyes remained firmly closed.

Naturally, bythis time, I had gone through every scenario in my head, with the final thoughts being that, when eyelids opened, there would probably be no eyes, and pupster would have to be PTS.

I made an appointment for the vet after work.  Raced home from work, and picked the pup up, and lovingly kissed him on the nose.  He opened his eyes widely.  Blinked.  And said Gotcha!!

PS (he didn't really speak.)  :-)  :-)

Don't worry !My current litter did not open their eyes until day 17/18. I had a litter of two recently and their eyes were open by the 9th day  but  that was an exception in my experience.

Our recent litter were very late in
Opening their eyes, don't worry :-)

although you can she the slit of the eyes there not actually open yet,

With slits, absolutely nothing at all to worry about -then they are about to open and aren't stuck down because of an infection for instance.

Thanks for your words of encouragement everyone, its certainly put my mind at ease, I guess after all i've been thorugh i'm just picking up on everything x

My  eldest male was 21 days before he opened his eyes, his breeder was really worrying by then, out of 6 pups they were all later than normal but he wasn't that interested in seeing the world, he is very laid back even now.

I was told they open their eyes early if they are not getting enough nourishment, don't know if this is true or not, I haven't had enough litters to prove or disprove the theory.

Remember that time JeanSW!  No, I wouldn't worry yet either.

Yes, if you can see the slits they are starting to open. Keep her out of bright sunlight (if we ever have any!) and don't use flash photography close to her for a bit. :-)

we are now day 18 and still no eyes open, ears are slowly starting to change shape, maybe shes just a slow start with what shes been through x

Keep an close eye for bulging, crustiness or weeping from the corners.

Its no problem for them to be opening late........just be watchful for infection which also causes late opening.

I cannot believe they were closed Afew hours ago & I just went to give them a kiss,picked puppy up & she was looking at me, I'm so overwhelmed.

GREAT X

Awh Bless !!! Don't you just love a happy ending.

Hooray! Must admit I raised an eyebrow when you said they STILL weren't open - bet she's even cuter now! :-)

I think 16 days was the latest soem of mine opened, never had them open before 11 or 12 days, usually 12 - 14.

It does always seem to be the smallest in the litter that opens his eyes first, almost as if nature is giving him a helping hand in the food stakes.

I once had a litter of 6 born more than a week early by caesar (mum had a dead pup and started dropping black gunk).  They were all nearly 3 weeks old before they opened their eyes, but I had two ages for them (birth date and due date) and everything was calculated to the due date so I didn't worry.  They also couldn't paddle with their limbs when they were born and the only way I could get them to feed was to put the teats in their mouths and then pull the teats away so they clung on and in so doing sucked in milk.  They bled badly from their umbilical cords when I got them home, and I had to tie them off, as they were too immature for their blood to clot properly.  Also their fur was very very thin on their front legs.  But by the time they were 8 weeks old (birth date) they were very big and fat and if anything bigger than puppies that were really 8 weeks old.

Interesting pja sounds like your hard work paid off...what breed were they .. R~

Sorry Starryeyes, missed your post.  they were boxers.