I have some questions regarding the whelping of my bulldog's pups. We have scheduled a C-section on Feb. 11th which is 63 days from the first breeding and 60 days from the last breeding. The days to breed were calculated by doing a vaginal smear. Both breedings were done by Artificial Insemination. We have had 2 sonograms so we know we have at least 4 puppies. We have heard NOT to let her go into labor as this will stress the puppies, that is why we opted for the scheduled C-section...Is this right? What if we do the surgery and the pregnancy didn't take until the last breeding (or even a few days later, because of sperm being able to survive up to 3 additional days in the female) In that case the puppies would be born on day 60 (or even 57) of gestation....Is there a high survival rate for pups born this early? My dog means the world to me, and since these puppies are hers, they mean the world to me as well. We already have homes for everyone (one home is the vet who has been doing all the pre-natal care & performing the surgery) The vet absolutely adores my dog, so I know she will do whatever she thinks is right, but I would like some input from some breeders. And I don't know how you do this guys, my nerves are about wrecked! :-)

Hi,

I'm afraid I can't help you with specific Bulldog information. However, if you are in any doubt about the gestational age of your puppies and are worried that they may be born (by C-Section) before they are ready then I suggest you ask your vet to check the progesterone level of your bitch.

This is a simple blood test and the results are available within 30 minutes or so. The main problem with early puppies is the immaturity of their lungs. In premature babies their lungs lack a product known as surfactant. The surfactant prevents the lungs from “sticking” together and thereby allows them to inflate and deflate with every breath taken. At the time the progesterone levels are at 2ng (ng=nanograms) or less then you can be sure the surfactant has been released and that the pregnancy is at it’s natural end (regardless of how the puppies are going to be born). If your vet practice can’t perform this test then a very acceptable alternative is the “Pre-Mate” test. This won’t give you an exact reading but will by virtue of a chemical colour change (of the tested serum) give a good indicator. High progesterone = red fluid, medium = pink, low = very pale pink and so on.

Hope this helps.

its usual in these kind of circumstsances for the bitch to of started dilating, then the vet will know the pups are ready, so wont be going in too soon, !

Im printing this info out as I didnt know a lot of this. Thanks a lot. I know nothing about Bulldogs, and Breed club may be best way to go, but usually, all my litters are bang on 63 days to first mating. I hope everything goes okay. I can never resist cuddling bulldogs at shows. Ill have one one day I swear.

mystic, hi my name is maggie and i raise mini schnauzers, and yorkies and pugs and dogs can have their babies anytime from the 58 days on and the puppies will be fine.beings your having c you have nothing to worry about/ if she was having them on her own then it would of been best to take her to vet if she had not had them by 65 day they shouldnt go over 68 days...Hope this helped .. our schnauzer just had 7 pups yesurday it was her 65 day i think ashe heard me call the vet.lol

Hi,

My cocker bitch just had five healthy pups, which were 7 days past the last date of mating and 9 days past the first!

The whole process has tested my nerves to the limit!! However there were no indications showing that any outside interference was needed and I just had to sit tight and wait.

She was mated when she was ready, which was on day 10 & 12. I don't go by these dates as a strict rule, but she said she was ready so these were the dates.

Her last litter arrived exactly on time and she also had five pups. She was mated on day 6 on that occasion!

Hi, I probably shouldn't post but its partly to gain knowledge about arranged c sections. My "gut" feeling is that it would be a good idea to leave her til the very first stages of labour - bed making etc so that you KNOW she is ready to have them and her temp has at least started to drop as long, as all is well with her and the pups inside? I have only had emergency c sections so this is new to me.

Please dont think I'm having a go Mystic but I really do think it's time the bulldog standard was changed to try to get the dogs back to a state where they no longer need a C as a standard means of giving birth. I really do think some breeds have lost their way. Breeders should be trying to breed to the breed standard so if the standard is chanced to specify a slightly smaller head people would try to breed in that configeration. It would no doubt take several generations to make much of a difference but in time it would.

Hope things go well for you Mystic and welcome to the board. :)

Regards, John

mandmpuppyranch, Hi just reading here. How big are your yorkies, and have you had any problems breeding any of them? I have a yorkie ,and I'm breeding for first time. She's 5lbs. stud is 2 1/2lbs. I've read and looked up any info I could find but figure you can never be to informed. Thanks

Hi Mystic one of my bulldogs had her pups 19 days ago and she had a c-section you must wait until she is having contractions and is pushing or when her waters come which isnt always? you just have to be very aware of her ? my bitch had eight pups and would not have had them with out the c-section because she had a rough time but she is fine now and the pups are wonderfull best of luck with your bitch let me know how it all goes ........

I would also have bottles and formula ready just incase u may have to feed them a bit (if her milk does not drop right away). If u let her go into labour then atleast u will know that her milk has dropped. I had Tiva c-sectioned (boston terrier) pups were to big, her temp dropped and was having trouble went in for her section which was prebooked but she dropped (temp) the night before. Had 6 but lost a little male 3 days later. I know someone that breeds english bulldogs and her litters are always prebooked and she said that the mothers always full of milk about 3 days before they go in for their section.

Good luck and do let us know how ur bully does.

ttfn :)

Hello, my name is kesha and if you dont mind me asking what caused this c-section and what were sings of it for you to know reason being is that Im a breedeer myself an still new to the game and what ever helps Im all ears thanks