My girl is almost due and has scanned with one or possibly 2 puppies. I am preparing therefore that she might not go into labour and may need a cesarean.
A bitch I own had a cesarean several years ago and had two live puppies and one dead. The vet told me about the puppy but I was not able to see it and The vet said that she hadn't looked to see if it was a dog or bitch but had just disposed of it.
I know it is probably stupid but it still bothers me that I don't know what the puppy looked like or the sex. If my girl does need a cesarean can I ask that the vet keeps any puppies that don't make it so I can see them?

I dont see why not?  It all belongs to you.  If you explain what happened the last time and your wishes then it shouldnt be a problem.  Good luck I hope it all goes well. x

Yes, definitely you can. I'm surprised you weren't given the option of taking the stillborn puppy away to bury yourself; you're certainly within the law to do so. Technically it would come under the 'clinical waste' definition which I'm guessing is why the vet disposed of it (albeit a bit quickly) but exceptions are made for entire bodies.

Thank you so much. obviously I desperately hope all goes well but I would much prefer to take a dead puppy home to bury properly rather than just be disposed of.

Can you not talk to your vet and ask to be present if she has to have a C-sect? I have always stayed and helped to revive pups. I cannot understand why some vets will not let you in, my vet has 2 ajoining rooms and the op is in one and the pups are revived in the other we have in the past just held out our hands for a pup then taken it to clean and get going.
Aileen

It may have been deformity or decay which the vet thought to spare you from. 
I think if you ask before hand and explain why, the vet could advise you of any of these things if necessary and then you could decide at that point.
As for disposal, if you buried in your garden you would need do a thorough job of it to avoid disturbance from wild animals. Personally I would go with the veterinary disposal which is, after all, is cremation.

> I cannot understand why some vets will not let you in

Probably the pressure of concentrating on the surgery and the immediate rescusitation in the presence of someone when you may not have any idea of how they will react.  Perhaps different if they know you very well but I can't say I would blame them if not.

My vet wouldn't let us in for a c-section, they would make us wait or go home and they'll ring, I always waited.  We had a litter with one stillborn born by c-section 4 years ago, my vet kept the pup to show us as he knew I would want to see.

We have a new vet now and not had a c-section for over 2 years so not since being with this vet, so not sure what his policies are on letting owners in when the op is taking place.

>If my girl does need a cesarean can I ask that the vet keeps any puppies that don't make it so I can see them?

A resounding YES!

Years ago I had a large Yorkie bitch carrying a large litter.  She had whelped 5 pups very easily, but continued with strong contractions.  (I don't leave mine very long before getting to the hospital.)

It's always at night isn't it?  :-(   The out of hours vet could just about reach the toes, but could feel no sac.  The ultrasound looked as if a pup was caught in the ribs high up, we couldn't see the head.  A section revealed that the head was twisted backwards, and caught firm.  The contractions would have ended up causing damage. 

I went into the operating theatre afterwards and saw that my bitch was in a heated cabinet to recuperate.  I had taken a heated box with me, which had her 5 pups in, and the vet had put the pups on to suckle once mum had come round.  We discussed the malpresentation, and I was told that it was really just very bad luck, and there was no reason why the bitch couldn't have a second litter with no problems.  I was asked if I would like to see the dead puppy, and he was fetched from a little side room.  It helped me to see that he was perfectly normal, no deformities, and the same size as the rest of the litter.  I stroked him, and yes, it was upsetting, but I am glad that I saw he was a normal puppy.

Edited to add:  By the way, I have 9 dogs buried in my (very large) garden, and I have never, ever experienced anything being dug up.