I was just reading the Bible (Book of the Bitch), and found the table in the back that is breed specific on whelping characteristics. It said certain breeds are known for "short pregnancy and easy whelping". My question is just how short?? My bitch began to show rather early on, and these puppy movements seem a bit early too (she's at day 45). I had never heard that certain breeds have short pregnancies, and am just curious as to what they mean by "short". :)

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my flatcoat had her litter last year on day 52,but her mum alway goes 63 days on the last two litter she had.

Were the pups ok that early?

just read on you other post
good luck and hope all goes well my fingers and toes are all crossed for you and your dog
best wishes
mandy.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

hi zookeeper.......gestation is average 63 days from ovulation not breeding....so unless you pull progesterone.you won't know exactly .they could be bred prior or post ovulation......but it is not possible for them to survive after only 52 days.........don't worry she will be o'k....just keep her calm and make sure she is getting calorie dense food

I know how long gestation is. And I also know exactly when she was bred, I was there :) My vet says if we have 6 big pups in there (amd not 12 small) that they will be ok. But the good news is she's back on her food today and her temp is up to 100f. Not perfect, but a step in the right direction :) As long as we make it to next week, I'm sure she'll be fine.

<And I also know exactly when she was bred, I was there>

That is exactly Kelly's point, it doesn't matter when she was bred, it's when she ovulated that you need to know.

Good luck, hope all goes well.

I misunderstood. From what we think (and the vet), she had already ovulated before she was mated. Hence, her advanced state of pregnancy. :)

New update.

Daisy isn't well at all today. We just got back from the Vet ER. She's got the runs worse (like every 30 minutes now), she won't eat, and she's vomited twice. They did an x-ray and an ultrasound (don't even ASK about the bill!) and found she is packed full of pups. About 12 they think. One of them is in distress with a slow and irregular heartbeat. She's now on meds to prevent infection in case the pup dies inside her before it is born. The vet said she's ill because he body is emptying out in preparation for labor, which can begin at any time now. Once again, we're just hoping to make it a few more days... just a day or two will make a huge difference in these pups surviving or not. Keep on praying!!

I wish you and Daisy all the best. Please keep us posted.
Can anyone tell us if it is usual for a bitch to have the runs and vomit before giving birth. If so, how much?
Thanks for any information.

Ive heard of bitches vomitting to empty their stomachs before labour, as to how true this is i don't know

I hope things are ok and she can hold on a while longer.

You know It may be like us, quite often women are sick and, well, the other too as birth approaches, it the whole expelling every thing and getting ready. So I would guess animals are much the same.

That is what the ER vet said. Their body sometimes wants to be empty before having babies.

I did just manage to get about 1/2lb of beef in her. Been an hour and it has stayed down so far :)

Poor girl I do feel for her, my own bitch and any others in whelp! Having had 2 kids myselfe I know the last bit is just not funny! Fingers still crossed for her.

hi zookeeper........i would be leary feeding a bunch of meat.......try using the science diet ID...its much easier on the stomach.......feed several small meals .....i use a very specific 35 protien 25 fat diet....

Actually, I already am feeding her ID. But the vet wants a higher caloric content food in her, so she asked me to mix in meats. I'm also still giving her eggs (harboiled), cottage cheese, and yogurt. The ID food had no effect, which I found so hard to understand, because I've always used ID food for an ill animal with wonderful results. So for now she's getting a mix of ID and ground beef, along with all the others in between meals. :)

Today is good so far....no vomiting, no diarrhea! :)

Hi.
I am hoping no news is good news. How is Daisy doing?

Yes, no news is good :) Daisy was great yesterday... no poops, no pukes, and she ate like a horse. Today her milk is in! Now that's we're past day 52, we're a bit calmer now. Today she's been very tired again, and she's been digging some here and there. Her temp was steady at the 99 range yesterday and today it's been a bit higher, around 100. All in all, she's feeling better, just very fat and uncomfortable with her belly so full of pups. :)

hi zookeeper
glad to hear daisy is feeling better,as you say shes got to day 52 hopefully she will carry a little longer
my mum labrador gave birth on day 56 and all pups where fine ,she did only have 5 but aleast they where all healthy,sounds like she wont be long with her milk coming in and the digging
good luck and please let us know when they arrive ,once again good luck,my fingers and toes are crossed all goes well.
mandy. :))