Dear all,

I know this subject has been covered before but I would like to know, does a singleton always require a c-section? My Lab bitch is day 42 and was scanned yesterday at the vets. We only saw one definate heartbeat, but there were shadows and the vet said she thought there were more and they were high up in the rib cage. She said she did not do head counts but I do worry that it may only be the one, can any of you experts shed any light on this for me please? I will add her ribs have expanded a fair bit and when she sits down she get a pot belly as if it almost slides down, but standing you would not really know any thing was different.

Many Thanks
Lilly

No not necesarily at all especially in medium to large breeds.  The biggest risks with singletons is in the toy breeds or small ones where the size of pups in anormal litter relative to that of the dam is large anyway so any increase in size due to a single pup wil make maters worse.

I have never had an ordinary vet accurtately scan for numbers, your lucky if they can confirm pregnancy, or the fact the bitch is empty if your having doubts after whelping is finished..

Hi Brainless,

Thanks for that I feel better now, I am sure there are more than one and to be honest I only scanned as the lady who owns the Stud has had a really bad run of luck with her bitches this last few weeks and she asked me to scan so I could put her mind at rest. I have done that and now worried myself!!!

I have split her food into two meals but not increased it as yet, now I am not sure how much to increase it by as I am worried I could get one very oversize pup hence the original question.

Regards
Lilly

I don't increase food until the sixth week (but put them on a puppy/Growth version as soon as pregnancy confirmed) and then gradually increase to half as much as normal at whelping. 

It isn't a good idea to get the bitch fat or put on any actual weight as this could make whelping harder.  The pups wil take what they need from Mum regardless. 

I start feeding as much as they will eat almost form the start once pups arrive (4 meals a day soaked, plus half a pint of puppy milk). 

With my breed (20kg bitches eating 200g of food daily) with an average litter I will be feeding four times their normal ration, but this will be puppy food.

Last year my Irish girl produced one puppy without a c-section. I exercised her normally and fed her what ever she would eat as she was very very picky. I thought I'd take her to the vet on day 64 if nothing arrived, as I was fairly certain there were only a couple in there. However in the early morning of day 63 she produced her daughter. No warning that she was in labour, just a quick whine and a push and it was over and done with. The puppy wasn't huge, she weighed in at only 8.5oz so the vet was very surprised that he didn't have to section my girl as he said the puppy couldn't  have been big enough to start her mothers contractions. Obviously she was a determined wee thing :D Good luck with your girl and I hope everything goes well for you.

Keep us posted

Hi Alli,

Thanks very much that makes me feel better. I still think there are more, but it puts my mind at rest. I have kept her fit and not increased her food, she is on JWB and I have ordered the higher protien one to start in a few days, I am just worried she will produce a monster!!!

I will keep you posted and I am sure I will be back for advice before long!!

Regards
Lilly

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much, I had a bitch scanned last year and told "sorry no puppies" but I wasn't convinced and low and behold we had 7 healthy puppies. They must have been high up and couldn't be seen. Also remember that puppies do most of thier growing between days 45 - 55 days so over the next 12 days or so she should fill out abit more if she is carrying a average size ltter. Good luck with your girl and hope all goes smoothly, keep us all posted.

Kerry

I have had two singeton births with WHWT neither were c-sections, though I have had my share of them with ordinary sized litters. The biggest prob with single pups I found is keeping them entertained once they are up and out of the nest and keeping the mums milk supply going. Both mine ( born only a few months apart) were weaned by 5 weeks as the mums dried up and they didn't really want to play with just one for some reason. On the plus side - I kept both of them for myself - they were house trained in the day by 7 weeks and VERY well socialised as I had to take them everywhere with me because I couldn't leave them at home alone.

Thanks guys - watch this space

lilly

Hi Lily..one risk of a singleton puppy is that they will not be enough of the hormone that triggers labor..its best not to let them go too overdue because the puppie can outgrow the placenta and go into distress

everyone has a story, my singleton was born on day 70, the vey was constantly monetering mum with dayly visits and good girl managed no problem at all, she fed him till about 5 weeks, it wasnt the milk it was his teeth that stopped her :-o . the vet thought there was 3 or 4 however just harry came and what a star he is, !!!
good luck and relax !! dog have done these things for years you know

wispa last year had 1 pup with no trouble on day 65.and she was a great mumto the pup and the pup at 4 weeks went with the other dogs to build up her confidcen she has a great temperaent beening the only one.if you have any worries just email me

terri

I have had three singletons with various bitches over the years and all required a Caesarian.  My vet tells me that one pup does not produce enough of the hormone required to start labour.

After reading the replies - I remember now that one of my singleton WHWT was born at 70 days too - 9 days late - she only had one mating so I am sure of the date. She was born very easily. The important thing is if you know you are expecting a small litter to not overfeed the mother. I would scan her again at 47/49 days, you may well see more on the screen and if there really is only one I would hardly increase mum's food at all - just make sure its high quality and split it into 3 meals during the last week.

Dear All,

Thankyou for your replys, I am feeling much better about this now, If there is only one we will deal with any problems as they arise and with all of you I won't be short of advice.

I really appreciate the time you have all taken to reply to me, I will keep you posted.

Lilly