My friends bitch was mated on 22 Dec. Over Christmas she had an accident and cut her leg badly and needed a GA to stitch it up. The vet doing the op said that a General Anaestheitc was not good news for a bitch that had been recently mated but no more than that. Has anyone had any experience of a bitch going on to have a litter after a GA? or is there a risk that puppies might have birth defects?

The pups would have not yet planted so  I would think effects on them to be minimal... unless it just stops the whole process

> The pups would have not yet planted so  I would think effects on them to be minimal

THats what I was thinking. But also I know chemicals can effect the developing embryos too. Not sure at what stage though. I guess she will just have to wait and see what happens.

>Has anyone had any experience of a bitch going on to have a litter after a GA?

I most certainly have.  This bitch had also not been mated long before her accident.  She too needed stitching up after and needed a GA.

The lady vet told me that it would not be a viable pregnancy.  I was more worried about my girl than a litter, so totally accepted what she said.

My bitch had a perfectly normal whelping, and a perfectly normal litter.  So from that I would guess that this early on, your friends litter is viable, and I would not expect any defects.  :-)