YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - If you are trying to decide to breed, read my story.

ranant12 · 08-17-2009, 07:33 AM

If you are unsure if you want to try to breed, please read my story. Go into it with open eyes and know that it's not as easy as putting 2 dogs together and hoping for the best.

I don't mind telling you about my experience at all. Diva weighs 5 lbs pre-pregnancy. The stud I used this time weighed 4 lbs and had a great history. This was Diva's 2nd litter (she was 4 years old on 8-04-09). Diva's 1st litter, she had 2 boys. Both only weighed 2 ozs. One was a little smaller and we fought for 5 days to keep him alive but finally lost him at 5 days old. The vet advised not to use that stud again in case he was the reason for such small puppies. The other puppy survived and at one year old weighed 2lbs 3 ozs and is healthy as can be.

I decided to breed her one more time, thinking I would have better luck the 2nd time around. Diva is absolutely beautiful when she is in full coat (I cut it short before babies)and has an amazing personality. She is more human than dog. I researched stud's like crazy and finally chose this one. They bred on June 14 and June 16. I was a nervous wreck waiting to see if it took. 5 weeks into her pregnancy her belly was definitely showing. An ultrasound confirmed it.

I had all my whelping supplies ready and beginning last Monday, I did not let her out of my sight, even sneaking her into work to watch her. You see Diva is like a child to me. Losing her would have KILLED me, so I was not taking any chances.

On Saturday, she was clingy and did not want to leave my lap unless she was in her whelping basket. I knew it was time and called the vet to let him know in case I needed help. The first 2 puppies came easy, but when 3 hours passed and the 3rd puppy had not come I called the vet again. He advise to wait another hour since she was not pushing or in distress. After 45 minutes I called him and asked him to meet me there. I just KNEW something was not right. Thankfully I did, because a c-section saved her and her other 2 little girls. I was a nervous wreck and was so thankful that my mother and sister met me at the vet's office to give me support. I almost passed out when they started her IV. She kept looking at me with a panicked look wanting me to just make everything ok. It broke my heart knowing that I couldn't take away her pain and panic. I cried through the c-section. The minute the vet put Diva in my arms I dropped to my knees in relief.

I knew when I saw that tiniest girl that there was a chance she would not make it like last time. But it still hurt like hell when she began breathing slow. I held her until she passed. I had to watch my 3 kids cry this morning over losing the little one, then we had to go to work and school. (Today sucks!)
I have a sitter staying with Diva while I work to make sure she's ok. Thankfully it's a friend with dog experience and is doing this as a favor, so I did not have to pay anyone or miss work.

I'm so thankful that Diva survived the surgery but I know that there are many more perils in her path until these puppies are weaned. Plus the little male with the deformed feet are an issue that we have to deal with.

I wouldnt tell anyone not to breed, but I will tell you that you are putting you little girls life at risk no matter how much you research and try to "do it right". Plus there's no guarantee that your puppies will even survive or be healthy, regardless of both parent's pedigrees or how hard you try to do everything right during the pregnancy.

It's something that you just have to think very long and hard about. Could you deal with losing puppies, holding them while they take those last shallow breaths after you spent day's fighting to keep them alive. Could you deal with your mother dying in surgery. Could you deal with losing your mother to eclampsia 3 weeks after you thought everything was ok after delivery. Could you deal with going through a pregnancy just to have every puppy die?

A litter of yorkie babies is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I am the proudest Grandma, ever. There is nothing in the world like puppy breathe and a newborn puppy cuddling up under your neck. But I will not sleep peacefully until these babies are weaned and into their new homes. I owe it to Diva to stand guard and do my very best to help her through raising these puppies that I wanted. I feel a huge responsiblity for putting her in this situation.

It's your choice, but just know it's takes a lot out of you, can break you heart and can leave you with guilt you will never forget.

I hope this helps you with your decision.

08-17-2009, 07:33 AM	#1
ranant12 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 225	If you are trying to decide to breed, read my story. If you are unsure if you want to try to breed, please read my story. Go into it with open eyes and know that it's not as easy as putting 2 dogs together and hoping for the best. I don't mind telling you about my experience at all. Diva weighs 5 lbs pre-pregnancy. The stud I used this time weighed 4 lbs and had a great history. This was Diva's 2nd litter (she was 4 years old on 8-04-09). Diva's 1st litter, she had 2 boys. Both only weighed 2 ozs. One was a little smaller and we fought for 5 days to keep him alive but finally lost him at 5 days old. The vet advised not to use that stud again in case he was the reason for such small puppies. The other puppy survived and at one year old weighed 2lbs 3 ozs and is healthy as can be. I decided to breed her one more time, thinking I would have better luck the 2nd time around. Diva is absolutely beautiful when she is in full coat (I cut it short before babies)and has an amazing personality. She is more human than dog. I researched stud's like crazy and finally chose this one. They bred on June 14 and June 16. I was a nervous wreck waiting to see if it took. 5 weeks into her pregnancy her belly was definitely showing. An ultrasound confirmed it. I had all my whelping supplies ready and beginning last Monday, I did not let her out of my sight, even sneaking her into work to watch her. You see Diva is like a child to me. Losing her would have KILLED me, so I was not taking any chances. On Saturday, she was clingy and did not want to leave my lap unless she was in her whelping basket. I knew it was time and called the vet to let him know in case I needed help. The first 2 puppies came easy, but when 3 hours passed and the 3rd puppy had not come I called the vet again. He advise to wait another hour since she was not pushing or in distress. After 45 minutes I called him and asked him to meet me there. I just KNEW something was not right. Thankfully I did, because a c-section saved her and her other 2 little girls. I was a nervous wreck and was so thankful that my mother and sister met me at the vet's office to give me support. I almost passed out when they started her IV. She kept looking at me with a panicked look wanting me to just make everything ok. It broke my heart knowing that I couldn't take away her pain and panic. I cried through the c-section. The minute the vet put Diva in my arms I dropped to my knees in relief. I knew when I saw that tiniest girl that there was a chance she would not make it like last time. But it still hurt like hell when she began breathing slow. I held her until she passed. I had to watch my 3 kids cry this morning over losing the little one, then we had to go to work and school. (Today sucks!) I have a sitter staying with Diva while I work to make sure she's ok. Thankfully it's a friend with dog experience and is doing this as a favor, so I did not have to pay anyone or miss work. I'm so thankful that Diva survived the surgery but I know that there are many more perils in her path until these puppies are weaned. Plus the little male with the deformed feet are an issue that we have to deal with. I wouldnt tell anyone not to breed, but I will tell you that you are putting you little girls life at risk no matter how much you research and try to "do it right". Plus there's no guarantee that your puppies will even survive or be healthy, regardless of both parent's pedigrees or how hard you try to do everything right during the pregnancy. It's something that you just have to think very long and hard about. Could you deal with losing puppies, holding them while they take those last shallow breaths after you spent day's fighting to keep them alive. Could you deal with your mother dying in surgery. Could you deal with losing your mother to eclampsia 3 weeks after you thought everything was ok after delivery. Could you deal with going through a pregnancy just to have every puppy die? A litter of yorkie babies is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I am the proudest Grandma, ever. There is nothing in the world like puppy breathe and a newborn puppy cuddling up under your neck. But I will not sleep peacefully until these babies are weaned and into their new homes. I owe it to Diva to stand guard and do my very best to help her through raising these puppies that I wanted. I feel a huge responsiblity for putting her in this situation. It's your choice, but just know it's takes a lot out of you, can break you heart and can leave you with guilt you will never forget. I hope this helps you with your decision.