Hello

Not really sure how to ask this question so it makes sense.

Just wondered if anyone's bitch has had a big difference in size of pups. My girls last litter she had average sized puppies, this time the puppies are feeling very small....she's on day 53...they are not very active...and just feel small. I can feel 3, she had 4 last time. By this time last time her puppies were very strong and I could see this moving etc.

Not sure if I'm worrying unnecessarily. Hope this all makes sense.

She could have conceived later than mated. Same sire?

No different sire this time. I'm hoping she has just taken later and that's what it could be.

This is such a special litter I think I'm over thinking it all

Thanks for your reply

>Not sure if I'm worrying unnecessarily.

Yup!  :-)  I think you are.  No two whelpings and pregnancies are alike.  Even in the same bitch.  I've had bitches that carry the same number of pups every time.  And ones who don't. 

Not long to wait now.  Try and relax, because soon you will be very busy!  :-)

Thanks Jean :)

I have one girl who I have mated 3 times:

1. One pup, 2 different vets said it felt big and did an elective caesarean when she was 65 days, it was small and did not make it.

2. 7 pups, all ok size at birth, one a bit small that we made sure didn't get pushed off. All fine.

3. 7 pups, all bigger than litter 2.

Litter 2 and 3 were to the same stud dog.

I think the answer is, you just can't tell!

Your right you just can't tell...

I'm totally over thinking the whole thing! 9 days to go, plenty of growing time yet. I need to get a grip lol

and myself would not be palpating the pups.  Hope all goes well for your girl.

>and myself would not be palpating the pups.

Same here.  I leave well alone.  :-)

Hasn't failed yet!  :-)

My summer litter was a repeat mating. She looked HUGE this time around ... thought we'd have 10 pups. As it turned out, she had exactly the same number of pups as her first litter, a very nice 6 :-D

The pups were all smaller in weight than her first litter at birth, and indeed up until around the 5 week mark, but by the time they left home they were much the same as her previous litter.

Palpation?!! Crikes. Definite no, no here ... even the vets don't get a chance to palpate my girlies :-O I've never seen or felt movement in my girls :-(

Hope all goes well. Looking at the date of your post chances are they may have arrived or their arrival is just around the corner. Hope you let us know how many she has :-)

Thanks for the replies

She's still hanging on in there. Very sleepy and licking herself a lot today.

When she lays of her back for a tummy rub, I can feel the pups, I don't palpate, she's only small so they are quite obvious :)

I think she's getting close today. We had a bit of panting last night and a few mild contractions, nothing regular though. She's very unsettled today,can't get comfortable, keeps licking her bits and staring off into space. She looks miserable bless her.

Here's to a safe and healthy whelping

Any news??

Hello

Yes she whelped over night right on her due date 3 Good sized puppies, 1 girl and 2 boys :)

All is well :)

Congrats on the new arrivals.

Excellent news! :-)

Thank you. Chuffed to bits with them. Mum is being amazing....I have to carry her out for a wee, she hates being away from them. When I was just weighing them, she was trying to lift them back off the scales.  She's very content and pups are quiet, twitchy and lovely and toastie warm :)