We had a disastrous first attempt at breeding my bitch.  Her one pup was too big to deliver and died following c.section.  Mum recovered really well and is now pregnant again.  However, the vet (who hasn't examined her yet) tell me that she is likely to give us a repeat performance!  Is this true?  If so, why didn't he warn me before we mated her?

why should the vet warn you? its your responsibilty! there is more chance of a section if she has already had one but it can be a normal delivery

OK...I DO KNOW she is my rsponsibility!  But when I asked the vet if he thought xshe should be speyed he said no!  Surely, if single pup syndrome is likely to re-curr and not a one off (as I was lead to believe).  ALSO - he advised me that having an emergency section didn't necessarily mean that she couldn't give birth normally in the future.

I just wondered if single puppy syndrome in a bitch means that this would happen with any pregnancy she might have ??

AND I was advised that it was probably due to it being her first pregnancy.  The text books I have don't refer to the reasons for it...I need some advise not a lecture on my responsibility - thank you.

Similar happened to a friend of mine with a Goldie - she went on to have a litter of nine normally - wouldn't like to say if it was the next season or the one after.  This was using a totally different stud dog to the line she's from.  Perhaps you could consider using a different stud and see what happens.  She was also scanned at regular intervals to make sure all was continuing well.

Thank you.  I really appreciate your comments....as you can imagine we are very worried.  She is 6 weeks into pregnancy so trying to organise a scan.  Not sure if I trust my vet.  Last time he sedated her and xrayed her...then did an emergency section - Puppy was HUGE and although they told me they had tried to revive him....It was very upsetting.  This is her second season after this...but the same stud dog.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing! 

She does seem different this time...but I no longer know what is normal!

We had a singleton last year, but previously she had a litter of 7, we hope to try one last time maybe next year.  My vet only scanned my girl on the Friday and said if she hadn't start labour by Monday then she would need a section.  Labour didn't start so she had the section, pup was 1lb which is quite big for a cocker.

Also we had a bitch that had a section with her first litter, but whelped naturally with her second.

Thank you SharonM....Do you know why it happens?

Hi Holly

One of mine had a singleton and then went on to have a litter of 11 to the same dog, so I wouldn't worry too much.  I have a suspicion that my bitch initially reabsorbed the majority of her first litter because of emotional trauma in my household.  But - of course - I can never prove this.  She then had another litter of 11.

So don't panic :)  I would have her scanned though, if possible, to put your mind at ease.
Carina

I'm trying hard not to panic!  But I get more nervous each day...will have her scanned asap.  Will let you know how we get on
Thank you

She needs to be scanned sooner rather than later, as it is difficult for them to see how many once they get past six weeks.  Have you found someone to scan her yet?

Hi holly,
my girl is also 6 weeks pregnant, she had her first litter of 9, followed 2 years later to the same stud with a litter of just 2 (very unusual in my breed) as i say she is now 6 weeks pregnant with her last litter and by the size of her she will be having more than 2 this time. i really think it can be different each time. just because she had one before doesnt mean she will again, multiple factors are involved in the outcome of litter size ie, numbers of viable eggs released, how many implant, reabsorbtion etc etc. Try not to worry
hope all goes well with your girl :)

Can see that she is definately pregnant - but not particularly big (which worries me)...But we have an appointment at the vets 10.30 am tomorrow........watch this space!!!!

Whatever happens this will be her last litter !

I dont know if this is true or not however my friends who is a vet and breeders said they have to have 3 puppies to keep the pregnancy viable so it may have been she reabsorbed.

I have got the same problem with my mini schnauzer and have been advised by the person who bred her to mate her later in the season as he did with her mother.

Quick update.....thank you to everyone who replied and gave reassuraqnce and advice....we now have four beautiful pups....all close in size (av. 1lb 4 oz at birth)...gaining weight nicely too !  Birth normal and straight forward - although  in early hours of morning (of course).  The bitch is great with them too!  What a change from last time!

what good news, good luck with your new litter

Congrats on the puppies.  I have only just looked at this post and was about to add single puppy syndrome does not normally happen everytime and your litter of 4 has proven it.

Let the mess begin :)

Emma

Congratulations with your new Puppies.
Best of Luck!

congratulations Holly on your good news, mine had 7 pups on Tuesday, birth went extremely well but not so good afterwards, mum had a temperature and an infection and she just wouldnt settle, i had screaming pups none stop for two days, everytime pups settled mum decided to get u and move, you have a few sleepless nights ahead of you. Mum has settled abit more now, but she has a habit of picking pups u in her mouth and trying to hide them, not realising shes hurting them, has to be watched 24 hour, very scarey time, but hopefully u wont have a problem.