I have just had the worst thing happen to me and one of my bitches. She lost her longed for litter on day 57 from one and only mating. The Vet. doesn't really know why it happened but the puppies were definitely born prematurely and looked very immature. i.e. no hair, although you could tell what colour they were going to be. The vet thinks that the bitch didn't ovulate for several days after the mating so that the pups were even younger than 57 days gestation. I am absolutely heartbroken and have not been able to come on here to ask advice before now.(She had them on Friday). The first one was born dead but the following two lived for one hour and 4 hours respectively. They were "gasping" and struggling to breath, underdeveloped lungs maybe?
Anyway, what I wanted to ask was, will this be considered as a "litter born" to my bitch as regards the Stud dog owner( I haven't been able to speak to them yet) or should I be able to take her back in the future ? ( Although, the thought of going through that again is not something I would ever wish to happen to anybody) Advise and your views please.
P.S. My little girl is coping FAR better than I am, she seems quite her normal self again.

How terribly sad :( :( I think you need to give yourself a chance to get over this, before considering breeding from your girl again.

So sorry to hear that Lopear. I am glad your girl is ok though, take comfort in the fact that you still have her.

On the subject of the stud fee it's really between you and the stud dog owner. This has never happened to any litters that my boys have sired, but if it did I would certainly offer a free return as you have no puppies. You should call the stud dog owner as doubtless they are waiting for news, and will be upset too at the lost puppies.

Jane

Thanks for your replies. I am in tears AGAIN, as I have just spoken to the Stud dog owners, who were very sorry to hear the news and have said that I can use their boy again when I feel the time is right. Thank you for your kind words.

What a tragic thing to happen. :( I'm so sorry for you. :(

The next practical thing is to consider asking your vet if he knows of any puppies needing a foster mum - to give your bitch a 'family' to look after. Okay, they're not hers, but she won't mind. If not you'll need to get her out and about and active to prevent too much milk production and avoid masitis. Put her on a low-protein food and give her plenty of exercise. Don't allow her to brood. It seems harsh but it's better for her mental and physical health.

Regarding the stud fee, you'll have to contact the stud owner. Technically the mating was successful in that it resulted in a pregnancy, but most people would be sympathetic to this particular situation.

Edit: just seen your last post. It's good news that the stud owners are reasonable people. Good luck when and if you have another go. :)

Luckily for her, my little girl didn't actually suckle the puppies, so she hasn't filled up with milk. Thanks

my bitch lost two litter at day 56 and 54  the same as you.but i went to a top speclist  about her.if you want to email or phone me on 01252 310267.i tell you what she said to do to brie if i was going to breed from her again

I would seriously consider using the Canine Herpes Vaccination next time, if you contact kayc on here, she will give you all the info you need.

Thanks Briedog and SharonM, I had thought about the Herpes Vaccination and possibly putting her on Anti-biotics before mating her next time.

certainly, for me, this would NOT count as a litter and you would be entitled to your free return, but that counts for little as everyone is different. Those that drum i that breeding *can* be hearbreaking are so right and this is one area where you just need to bite the bullet, ring the stud, tell them what happened and ask them directly. Quite frankly if they say 'no' they aren't worth the paper they are written on and if you have to pay a further stud fee I would go elsewhere even if it meant the other end of the country ;-(

Di

I agree with sharon, this happened to a friend and they had the herpes injection for the next litter and she whelped a good sized healthy litter

I wouldn't count it as a litter - poor you and your girl. :-(

My condolences to you Lopear, how terrible, so pleased that the stud owner has not counted the litter, I wish you every success next time.

Thanks everyone for all your kind words. I am starting to feel better about things now and am pleased to say that my little girl is back to her old self again. I keep thinking that it was all a very "bad dream". These things happen and we never know why, we just have to put them behind us and carry on. At least, as I said, the Stud dog owner has been brilliant so I will, perhaps, have another chance.
Thanks again, everyone.