Just taken my bitch Ruby for her second scan, she's 59 days today.
I was devastated to hear she only has one pup, :( :(  supposingly BIG.
I was told by a scan at 5 weeks that they could see 2, but was told they could be more as they can keep them well hidden.
I'd come to the conclusion that she was having a small litter, as I hadn't felt no movement, which I had by this time last time. But I though they must be 3 or 4 as they had seen 2 on the scanner (or so the scanner said). The vet has told me there was either never 2 in the first place, or she has reabsorbed one.
I am totally gutted, I just feel like crying, :(  I was so looking forward to this litter.
She has to go in on Wednesday morning for a caesarean. He said there was no way she could give birth to it herself. I'm so worried for her and the pup. He said the birth procedure doesn't happen when there is only one.
She was a fantastic mother last time, I'm worried that having a caesarean will stop her bonding with pup.
I'm also sad for the people who are waiting and excited about getting one of her pups.
Anyone with experience of a singleton please let me no how things went, maybe put my mind at rest.
Is there anyone with experience of being told there was only one, to go through a caesarean and find a few more in there after all. (Is there hope yet).

Michelle.

Don't be devastated! I've had 2 litters of singletons. Mum whelped unassisted, one was a very big pup who came out feet first but the other was just normal size. Think the fact that she'd had a litter before helped. Don't know what breed Ruby is, but a Caesarean isn't always necessary. I don't have my bitches scanned (they either are or they aren't!), so I only had an idea that it was a small litter. When the bitch produced just one for the second time, I was disappointed, but it wasn't the end of the world. The pup was fine, Mum was fine & I didn't have to worry about finding suitable homes for 6 dog puppies which is always my nightmare.  :D The worst part is having to disappoint the prospective owners, but - well ... that's life. You don't always get what you want.
Unless she's of a breed which commonly has whelping problems I wouldn't rush to get a Caesarean &, to be honest, I'd doubt the experience of Vet who says "the birth procedure doesn't happen when there is only one" as it's certainly not rare in my breed, although the average litter size is 4.

feel sorry that you are feeling sad :(  as long as Ruby is ok thats the main thing post the news on Wednesday and let us know how she is

Ruby is a Stafford, I'm quite sure most give birth fairly easy, well she certainly did last time.
But the vet has really worried me into thinking a caesesean is the only option. He said the pup is big, and there is a good chance it will lay till day 70, then of course it will be bigger. He also said by then it would have probably died. I'm scared stiff not to take his word for it incase something happens to mother or pup, I'd never forgive myself. I don't want to wait to see if nature takes it's course, then mother gets into difficulty and pup dies, or worse still something happens to Ruby, How could I live with that, all for the sake of £350. I'd much rather pay and no they will be ok. But I'd be annoyed if the vet is just seeing easy money, and laying it on thick to me, if you know what I mean.
I'll have to see if I can find out a lot more, and hear some more experiences of Stafford singletons (as all breeds are different) before I come to a decision. I'll have to get in touch with people from the club and see what they say.

Michelle.

sent you p message

Panic not!!  I've had 2 singletons in 20 years.  Both the bitches whelped their large pup on their own and they reared them normally.  The only difference was that I kept a soft toy in the whelping box so that when the bitch wasn't in there, then the pup had something to cuddle up to, and as the pup grew, I took the place of the siblings and spent much more time playing, and teaching the pups to play, than I normally would.

Agree with you Val & forgot to say the main problems with singletons is you can't part with them!! Michelle - think you're being very sensible to seek breed advice. Good Luck & let us know how she gets on.
BTW - both my singletons became Champions :D

we had an accidental pup, who was a singleton, we put it down to having the mis-mate injection, again they told us it was a large pup, and to expect him to be still born as there was no sign of a heartbeat or any movment, but spot on the day she had the one pup, i was dreading every minute, but he was alive, and although reasonably large, was born naturally,

of course we couldnt part with him, so he is our handsome harvey, who we are so lucky to have,

i really hope all goes well for you

chel

Have had 4 singletons in about 15 years.First was an American Cocker,she fainted out cold after the first contractions! Took about 12 hours for her to bond, but then she really, really loved that pup.  Next one was a Cavalier, we went 3 times to be checked out by my vet once she reached her due date and nothing happened.  X ray showed waht at first we thought was 2, and realised was 1 BIG pup  lying in a sort of U shape!  Kept a very close eye on her, and 5 days late she whelped normally.  Pup was enormous for a Cav (12 oz)  but by about 3 weeks was normal sized.  Next was another American, she whelped pup normally, never bonded very strongly, but I think that was her nature, and the pup was immaculatley looked after by its Aunt and Grandma too, so got more than enough mothering, and this one I could not let go, so special (no 6 years old).  Last one was a Pug, single tiny pup (3oz) Mum hated it, tried to kill the baby, (in fact they still dont get on)  Puglet the pup is now almost 3 and  I kept her too!  This mum had 2 further litters, first of 2 second of 4, and was completely non maternal with these, so I think the lack of bonding was a pug thing, not to do with a single pup.  

After all that I suppose what I wanted to say was, dont give up hope of a normal delivery, dont be rushed into a caesar too early, and dont panic too much about her reaction ot the pup, singleton pups are every bit as likely to conform or go against the rules as any other litter!  The watch words for every breeder have to be "be prepared for anything and everything!"
bye
Gwen

oh Michelle i am so sorry to hear that, i hope she does manage to do it herself but i am sure she will be fine even if she doesn't.

Big Staffie hugs for mum to be {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Emma

I would take your vets advice.  I have had two singleton pups in the last year.  Truffle was scanned last year at 4 weeks and shown to be having 3 puppies.  When she was nearing full time I watched her closely and on the Sunday (the pups due the following Thursday) she was restless and I expected her to go into labour.  By the evening she settled down and I thought it was just a false alarm.  On the Wednesday she went into labour and after a few hours had still not had any pups so she was taken to the emergency vet (not my own practice).  She was c-sectioned and discovered only to be having 1 extremely large pup, which had been dead for 12 to 24 hours.  She took 2 or 3 days to get over the operation and I was quite worried about her as I have never had a dog take so long to recover from the operation.  When I discussed it with my own vet later he said that singleton pups often do not produce enough of the hormones to start labour properly.  We agreed that if we had realised it was a singleton we should have taken action on the Sunday when she had been restless but not in labour.

As I didn't get a live pup I had Pumpkin mated 6 months later.  She was checked at 4 weeks and my vet felt 2 pups.  When she was at about 60 days I decided to get her checked over because of the experience I had had with Truffle.  I saw the assistant vet at my own practice on a Saturday morning.  He felt her and said he thought there was only 1 pup there and asked if I wanted him to x-ray to check.  He did and found 1 large pup.  He suggested that he should C-section straight away as the pup was quite large enough to survive and it would be better to do it then rather than wait and let things go wrong over the weekend.  2 hours later I collected a wide awake, extremely healthy and happy Pumpkin, and her very beautiful and vigourous daughter.  He did say that when operating he saw signs of the reabsorbed pup. 

Pumpkin has been a superb mother to her singleton daughter (who is 11 weeks old today).  She was and is far closer to her than she was to her previous litter 3 years ago which she gave birth to naturally and could not have been more caring and loving.  She used to sit in the whelping box looking devotedly at the sleeping pup with a soppy expression on her face and even now insists on sleeping with her.

I would always be extremely cautious about a singleton pup and go for a c-section earlier rather than later if recommended.  Your vet is quite right about the birth procedure not always happening normally for very small litters and you will find reference to this in most good books on whelping. 

As far as care for the pup was concerned I made sure that she always had soft toys with her so that she had something to cuddle up to if mum was not there and she is still extremely fond of her soft toys. As the pup gets older it is important that it has a lot of contact with other dogs who will teach her to be a young dog and to play as it won't have littermates to play with.

Good luck with the birth and your pup - I am having great fun with my pup who is a very well grown contented girl. 

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hello everyone, and thanks for all your replies.
I've spoken to quite a few Staffie breeders today, And most think I shouldn't take the chance, one pup is better than no pups. :(
So I'm going to follow the vets advice, take no chances and get it over with.
I'm too worried to leave it. I've heard too many bad stories. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
So Wednesday's the day, everyone keep your fingers crossed for me, Ruby and pup, and I'll let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for help. :)

Michelle.

keep us posted ..good luck :)

Well Michelle, I am sory that you are disappointed after building up your hopes. This happened to us noy long ago, when I was convinced the bitch was in whelp and she either wasn't or she reabsorbed.

I had a bitch a few years ago who went to day 62, obviously in whelp but not getting on (Cavaliers usually whelp about 60 days), if they are late there is usually a problem in my experience.  Took her to the vet, he scanned and pronouced two puppies and said come back tomorrow.  When we got home she began to pass black tarry mess, the result one very dead puppy and one pure white which lived about ten minutes.  I was advised to mate her again next time, did so and she produced one very perfect tri bitch.  This puppy was very gutsy, very greedy and so beautiful and seven years on still is just as bossy and is now a grandma herself.   So PLEASE don't worry too much, enjoy whatever you get ..... all puppies are wonderful

Good luck tomorrow!

Thanks everyone.
Well today's the day, and I'm not looking forward to it at all.
I stayed up all night with her last night, she was very restless, but I don't think there was any signs of labour. There was no digging, panting etc. She did keep rubbing her bum across the floor, if that means anything.
But last night I actually felt movement for the first time, quite a lot of it,:) :) I was so pleased it actually brought tears to my eyes, as I'd convinced myself something was wrong.
Well I must go, please keep rour fingers crossed, I'll get back to this as soon as I get a minute, if I get one. :D

Michelle.

Good Luck - hope everything goes well. Keep calm!!!! Easier said than done, I know.

GOOD LUCK Mitch and Ruby :D

Im on tenterhooks here - let us know asap :)

Well I've managed to grab a few miutes to let you all know whats happend.
Well about half an hour after they took Ruby in, the vet came out with her pup. :) :)
It's a bitch, I wouldn't say it was very big, just normal sized really. I was over the moon she was alive and well :)
My first impression was god she's dark, her back looked really dark, and her tail looked black with a tiny white tip. She has four white paws.
I remember her first litter being quite dark down the middle of their backs and onto their tails, but nowhere near this dark.
When Ruby came round enough to be quite steady they took pup into her and let her feed her.
Eventually they both came back ready to go home. They said Ruby wasn't taking much notice, but she had let her feed, so to just keep an eye on her.
Anyway she's still a bit groggy, but loads better, she's cleaned her and fed her, but she still doesn't seem very protective at the moment.
With her last litter she practically had to be prised away from them to go for a wee, but she quite willingly gets out of the box, and the poor little thing is left crying. Hopefully that will get better.
She won't leave the cord alone either, which is a bit of a worry. The poor pup is getting licked and tugged all over the place. She was obsessed with doing this last time too.
My real concern now is, now we are home and I've had a good look at pup, I'm quite sure it is one of those black and tan pups that you can't show (it's a fault) typical eh, one pup and it's the wrong colour.
I hope I'm wrong, but I'm quite sure. You can actually see the shapes on the legs where one colour blends into another, if you no what I mean. Like a Rottie.
Any Stafford breeders out there had one of these pups. please explain what they looked like at birth.
The only one I've seen is on a Staffie calender, So I dug it out, the one on there has a black head with tan markings like a Rottie. My pup has a red head, with some dark markings, a dark back, dark and red legs, a black tail with a white tip and a white chest. Seems totally mis-matched doesn't she :D But she's beautiful.
Let me know what you think, all you experienced people.
I'm so happy Ruby and pup are both ok, thats the main thing :) I'll worry about the colour later.

Michelle.

I know nothing about black and tan except (like you) its not an 'allowed colour for show', but aside from that CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! :) i am so pleased that mum and pup (and you :D ) are ok, i have been on pins all day waiting to hear, so well done to you all, and i hope the pup enjoys all the attention she is going to get :D :D :D

Emma :)

When you take Ruby out of the whelping box, completely cover the puppy with a towel or a piece of vetbed.  It will then feel warm and secure and will settle.
Colour genetics are very complicated, which is why it's important to know exactly what is behind both yur bitch and the dog that you use for many generations.  Colour, as well as many other hereditary faults can be recessive and crop up if you don't know that they are there!! :(

hi mitch

well done to you and Ruby
as the colour it sounds as if the pup might be red and white
when my first red litter was born i thought they where all black as they where so dark

i will send you a few pic if you want  

I'm so pleased Mum and Daughter are both ok.  Singletons become incredibly precious, I wouldn't part with mine for anything.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Well Done Ruby and daughter :D :D

So pleased theyre both fine and healthy Michelle :)

Hi everyone,
I've managed to escape for a short while, mum and pup are fast asleep.
Things are as well as expected after a caesarean, I'm pleased with the progress.
Both dogs are red, so expected nothing but a red pup, But I have heard black and tan does happen
occasionally.
Her last litter were all red & white, and I know they were a lot darker at birth. I've managed to dig out the photo's of the last litter to confirm this, but they are still nowhere as dark as this one. from a distance she looks black.
But I have been convinced by a Stafford breeder that she won't be black and tan, even though she looks that way at the moment. Been told she'll definitely lighten up. Maybe thats what I should do, lighten up a bit lol. :D :D
Thanks for the photo's Staffie Lover, they're beautiful, and thanks as they also helped with the convincing.
Have you kept one of them off the photo's.
Val, won't the pup have difficulty breathing if I cover her up completely

Now for a bit of help, I knew it wouldn't take long :D
As I've said she is way over the top with the licking. I know she has to do it, to get everything working, but she's obsessed. While she's laid asleep feeding, she's fine, but as soon as she's awake she is constantly licking, she's not tugging at the cord as much, but the licking doesnt stop. If she's awake and in the box she's licking. The pups belly is really starting to look red. I've been told to discourage this, but it's not easy :( help :( I have to physically pull her head away to stop her. She then comes for a pet, but goes straight back to licking again. While she's awake I have to constantly watch her. Anyone got any tips to stop this. If I fall asleep through the night, I can amagine her to sit doing it for hours.
Also the whelping box is a big one, 3ft by 4ft (a disposable one) I was expecting more than one Lol. Should I try to make it smaller, by maybe putting a piece of cardboard down the middle. So it gives the pup less space to move to far from Ruby, as she does tend to let it sleep abit away from her, and I'm scared it will get cold. I think I'm just worring over everything now.
It's took me ages to write this as I keep having to check both are still asleep. (which they are, soundly). :)

Michelle.

Val, won't the pup have difficulty breathing if I cover her up completely
No, just throw a towel or a piece of vetbed over the top - plenty of air for a puppy to breathe - don't tuck it in!! :D

Both dogs are red, so expected nothing but a red pup
Genetics are so much more than the Sire & Dam.  As I said before, many things are recessive, which is why it's important to know each dog individually for many generations back in both the dogs' pedigrees.  Hope she's not black & tan but glad she's OK!

I would keep telling her off for licking now Michelle, she's done her job!!  I sleep with mine for the first week, only having catnaps or a sleep if there is someone else to watch, to make sure that nothing untoward happens until the puppies are bigger and stronger.  I'm exhusted after the week (sometimes 10 days) but at least I don't have the mishaps that some people have.

Make sure than the pup doesn't get cold Michelle.  I was told that more pups die through cold than any other reason.  I keep mine at 70F for the first 10 days until the pup develops a shivering reflex.

So glad to hear Ruby's ok - I'm hardly ever in these days but had to say congratulations!

Would I know the sire?

How's your own 'pup' doing for you?

Hope the newbie turns out well for you.

Nikki

(Lost your email when I had to reboot :rolleyes: )

Hi Nikki
The sire is Ch Jackstaff Fasination,
(Jupiters dad) also the grandad of my pup Rio.
Rio is doing fine, she's as tall as Toesy but still really fine at the moment, So it makes her look leggy.
When she fills out (eventually) she'll be great. She's just 7 months, so they is plenty of time. She's a stunning colour, everyone comments on it. I'm pleased I went for a brindle after all.
Have you still got plans for a red Staffie, or does Dizzy take up all your time. How is Dizzy? how oldis she now? Have you any recent photo's?

E.mail  michellelowson@yahoo.co.uk

Michelle.

Well done Mitch. :-)

been on tender hooks all day for you ...... congrats to ruby :)

well done!
keep us posted on how they get on!

cheers, chel

Hello Mitch,
     Have done a search on the sire and nothing B&T in his pedigree. :)
Congratulations on the pup glad I was wrong and you got a bitch :) so is this number
4? ;)
     I bet the pup looks red because as you say she was obsessive last time but she had a whole litter and not just one pup that gets all her attention.
Karen 

A throw back can go back a few generations and not direct dam and sire - although i still think you have nothing to worry about Michelle

Meant to say looks red on her belly where she's licking her notthe pups coat. (damned time limit on post edits)
Karen

Plus some breeders might keep it to themselves if they had been unfortunate to breed one. It's not something they'll want to talk about.
Thanks though Karen.

Michelle.

Right everyone, I've managed to get some photo's together if anyone wants to see pup. (and mum of course)
Just let me no your e.mail
You can let me no if you think I've got a B+T, or if she's a definite Red :)

Michelle.

Hi Michelle

pleaaassseee can i have a picture! :D

bigs hugs to ruby and pup {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Emma ;)

enigmastaff@btinternet.com

Shes gorgeous Michelle , whatever colour she turns out to be :)

Hi Michelle,

     Could I please have a picture too?  

     Give a big hug to Ruby and the baby from me.  :)

                                                                                                                 Kate
gordonandvall@yahoo.co.uk
                                                                                                                    

Hi Michelle

cute pup
still thinking that she is red and white with a black mask.  do you mind if i show a few firends they might be able to help but im 90% that she is red.  like the photo's i showed you.  when i had my first litter of reds i thought they were all black when they were born. 
and i do think that in Staffords 2 red's can only have reds (but i could be wrong) its when you have brindles other colours can come thougth

I have heard that both mum and dad have to carry the genes for black and tan to come through ?

Hi Mitch we have a black and tan near us he is stunning. Please send me a picture i would love to see you little babe. all the best Gwen and Mick hasweth staffs
gwen.hazeldine@ntlworld.com

yes, but i think that reds only carry red and white and no other colour.
now if you breed a red with a brindle then you can get back and tan but then again i have breed 2 solid black brindle stafford and i have 2 pied pup 2 ligth brindle and 2 black brindle, its the brindle that give the colour

and i think that the pup has the red in the wrong place to be black and tan

black and tan

ah could i please see the photo :)

Heidi

heidleberg19@aol.com

i would love to see the photos to please
Mandy
mgeorge96@hotmail.com
thanks:)

Hi Michelle
Thankyou for the pics, both mother and baby are beautiful congratulations and well done Ruby xxx

Heidi

Most reds are born a very deep black colour and then after three or so weeks the pigment start to come through and the colouring will come out. When we first went to look at the litter Lacey was in she was almost black on one side of her face but in time it has become red in colour. I remeber her litter brother being a very dark sort of Border Terrier grizzly colour but he was a lovely shade of red when we went back at 8wks. We are hoping to put a black and white pied dog to her later in the year who has got Rouge Saga, Domino Flashy Lad, Champion Bonzaries Keliboy, Ramblestaff Jacknife and Boldbull Black Jack behind him and Lacey has got Lancstaff Kjells Namsos Noble, Jaunty Jane Of Lancstaff, Tuetonic Warrior, Ashtock Barley Jones and Malaser The Mauler on her side so the litter could end being red and white pieds or black and white pieds or solid reds or even maybe a tiger brindle could be in there.

If you get a spare minute could you send me a pic and I will look at it and tell you what I think even though I am a novice! ( just love having puppy pictures to look at) luxnallsstaffords@yahoo.co.uk.

Many congrats with your lovely puppy. Please could I have a pikky of her?
anne@davandaws.net.com
Thank you.
Anne

hello Michelle
we had a litter of 1 and she welped fine
we dont keep scaning them though as it can seperate the pup from the placenter we only scan if its really needed scans are not always correct anyway and eather they are in whelp or not
i remember a few litters ago when we could only feel a few lumps not moving and we came to the conclution that they had there backs to us
some dont seem to bond well if they had a caesarean because they wake up to seeing puppies it must be daunting not knowing where they came from
but if you give them a bit of rescue remidie or a drop of brandy that will help to calm there nerves
i wouldnt worry to much and anyway 1 is better than none let us no how many she has please and how it all goes
bye bye for now fiona keep happy for you and your bitch :) :)

Hi f.a brook,
Ruby had one bitch puppy by caesarean. Mother and pup are both doing fine.

Michelle.