 scheduling a c-section
Hi Yorkie Mom, Please be very careful with scheduling a c-section since you don't know what date she was bred on. Even 2 days difference can make a huge difference when dealing with puppies. When you add to the fact that sperm can live for days in the uterus before the mama dog ovulates and gets pregnant you could be very off on your due date estimation. Premature puppies can be very difficult to deal with and it's so heartbreaking to both you and the momma to lose them because the puppies are born too early. You have several options though, you can try to wait until she shows signs of labor and then have the c-section done (not nice if she goes into labor in the middle of the night), you can take her temperature several times daily and go for the c-section when the temp drop happens (the drop can be missed or be a false drop however), or you can have your vet draw progesterone levels. When the level drops to a certain number it signals the dog to go into labor and your vet can do the c-section when the number drops (before labor). I haven't ever had to schedule a c-section before but I would want to do the progesterone way if I ever had to schedule one. I've had premature puppies born naturally and lost every one, believe me you don't want to have to deal with that. I would recommend you take your girl to the vet, have an x-ray done to tell how many puppies you are expecting and their sizes, and discuss all this with him. Hopefully you have a good vet that is willing to work with you on this.
Good luck with the momma and puppies, I will pray everything turns out all right for your little one.
Teresa |