[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

So much to learn and continue learning. You can take every precaution, have all the necessary meds and equipment in place. Then out of left field; zap another zinger.

I just went through what you went through my girl went into labor on her
57th day of her first breeding, whelped on the 58th. When the puppies began to enter the world, I knew they were preemie, by the color of their coats, feet and noses. She had concieved on her 2nd breeding. I lost 2 puppies, one in the first 24 hours, the 2nd in the first week. You do everything you know how to do, fading puppy recipe, Sub-Qing them....everything but, it doesn't prepare you to see mom panicking, stimulating and watching a pup die.

I learned alot about preemies from this experience. They are a bit slower in developement, they lag behind about 3 to 5 days......Something that I'd never encountered before; I knew that puppies open their eyes between 10 and 17 days.....one of the ones that lived didn't open his until day 21.

Good information. But I have had entire litters of nice healthy puppies that did not open their eyes until the 21st day.