Well Kimberley, that's certainly NOT what I was saying.

adhesions
 

I will ask RiniW about adhesions...as a matter of fact I do not recall my vet ever mentioning them to me in a second time section. Perhaps, it is the way the surgery is done as posted.

Our friend who lost her bitch told me she had an xray and saw 3 pups..but nothing was mentioned to her about seeing adhesions..interesting question.

Karin..as to labor going on for hours without a pup being produced works for humans, but not toy dogs. They are exhausted and become a risky candiate for surgery. ..and fetal death is a big problem with a prolonged labor.

Everyone must do what they feel is ethical right. I see nothing wrong in giving a bitch two chances to free whelp..after the second section, I stop and spay.

C-sections
 

Wish I could say that none of my dams have had c-sections, but that is not the case.. I will only do two c-setions on one dam and then she will be spay.. I wait an entire year before breeding a c-sectioned mama again.. I will not breed her back to back.. I think she needs that time to heal..

My SugarPlum was sectioned before she went into labor.. She was not herself for over 24 hours and her belly did not look normal to me.. My vet is one not to perform a c-section until we know the mama is in distress, but he listened to me and went ahead with the c-section on SugarPlum.. It saved her life! The walls to her uterus were very very thin and very likely would have ruptured if I had let her try to free whelp on her own.. SugarPlum is now spay and lives a life of leisure with my Mother..

I have never literally pulled and pulled on a puppy for the mama to be able to so-call free whelp it.. Have I assisted in helping a mama, yes I have! When I was working I seen pregnant females in distress come into the office with dead puppy stuck and the mama had even chewed the pup's feet off trying to remove the puppy from her! We spent two minutes and the puppy came free from the mama! But most vets would rather help the mother by maniplating the puppy around to be born then perform a c-section.. But I have never seen a puppy pulled on so hard that it left the mama bruised and sore.. I always keep thick clean washcloths in my whelping kit and if one of my mama's is having a difficult time free whelping the puppy all the way I will use that washcloth to wrap around the feet or head and slightly pull straight down freeing the puppy.. But I would never hurt one of my mamas by trying to free a puppy.. I feel that if you are knowledgeable enough you know the difference from a puppy needing alittle assistance to one being to large to be free whelped.. JMHO..

Helping at work with c-sections I have NEVER seen a english bulldog free whelp, they are all c-sections (at least where I worked).. The owners would always do AI on them also, they would not free breed..

Since I am still learning, how long of a labor is long, before you would rush a Yorkie to the vet for a c-section?
Karin

Kim, Alot of this is a fact as far as my vet is concerned.. But we have never saved a placenta to be with her when she woke from the anesthesia.. I have only had one mama that would not care for her baby after the c-section and that was Lupae's mama.. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.. :(

Interesting article Karin. Thanks!

I am sorry but there is NO way I would let my bitch be in hard labor for more than 45 min MAX!. Too much at stake! Like Pat said we all have our comfort levels, take in all the info you get and make your own assesment. What I say today about my program can change tomorrow. It's all about learning from others and your own experiences.

pups
 

Has anyone ever had an xray and a pups head was so large the vet said free whelping was unlikely? I had a mom with a single pup that grew huge..we decided on a section when she started in labor, day or night..
All is going well...she starts labor..I call the vet. By the time I got in the car this big fat pup all but falls out of mom. It took perhaps 15 mins and one push..breeding Yorkies will never cease to amaze me.

Hahaa..no kidding. Never know what will happen with each litter.

Karin,

I only wait a very short time when she first starts to free whelp (that means you will see the bubble).. Usually when they start to whelp for the first puppy you should normally see the puppy whelped within 30-45 minutes, at least that has been my experience.. But it can be a longer time then that between puppies.. One time we waited alittle over 2 1/2 hours between puppies.. All broods are different and no two whelping will be alike.. But you have to remember to stay calm! You lil' girl does not need to feel stress and anxiousness from you while she is whelping..

I agree with Melanie, inbetween pups is different, I let a bitch go about 1.5-2hrs MAX!

Very true.. But it is also so VERY important that you personally know your mamas, because they can also help you through deciding what is best for them! I can tell you the personality and normal behavior of every dog in my home..

I personally think that the amount of c-sections should be left to the breeder if the breeder is a ethical, caring and loving breeder like Irene.. Irene 110% trust her vet (which I have heard great reviews about!) Like I said it all goes back to trusting your vet!!

Melanie

Thanks Pat! This is what I read too, just wanted to hear it from other breeders too.
Karin

Thanks Melanie!
:wub: