By Lokis mum
Date 20.10.02 20:49 UTC
When Purdey (our oldest lab girl) had to have an emergency hysterectomy (2 retained puppies after 2 days with pymetra setting in) 7 years ago, we were fully prepared to have to hand rear her 12 puppies. In order to ease the burden, our daughter took 4 puppies, leaving us with 8 to bottle feed at home. The day after the op, when Purdey was home, very dopy, we had the pups in a cat basket next to her bed. When I started feeding at 2.a.m., she was out of the anaesthetic, and was attempting to climb into the basket with the pups - so as I fed one, I gave it to her to clean up. By 10.pm that evening, she was suckling 4 of the pups, the next day she was suckling all 8, and by the weekend, we reunited the whole family! They all did very well, Purdey recovered well - and I learned then, that even if a bitch has had 12 live puppies and seems to be doing well - I will still get her checked over!