Please verify my vet's information

[angelbaby's mom]

My vet, who breeds chihuahuas, told me that about 30% of the toy breed pups that are c-sectioned die. She said that she never guarantees a buyer a pup until after 7-10 days, because, even if the pup is "fat & sassy" and appears perfectly healthy, they can just die, no apparant reason. You can walk in and just find a dead pup. 30% chance.

Is this really true? I mean, I understand that they are at higher risk for pneumonia, from fluid in the lungs that did not get "squeezed" out during contrations and such, but to say that they could just die . . . ?

Experienced breeders, do you find this to be true?

By the way, all 3 of my sectioned babies are nursing. No, they are having a feeding frenzie!

[feminvstr]

Ive only experienced one c-section...all lived and were very healthy happy little boys, mom bounced back like she never had one and was the best mom. With breeding and c-sections there is always a risk, mom rejecting, not coming into milk or not recovering well. I believe the bigger risk is with mom; spaying at the same time as a c-section because of possible blood loss.

I have a friend that is a chi breeder she does about 50% c-sections and does have a high mortality rate...perhaps you would like to chat with her, here is her website. http://houseofchis.com/index.html

[angelbaby's mom]

I wonder if it has to do with the birth size? My vet did say that her babies are usually 2-3 oz at birth. That's less than 1/2 the size of mine.

Hmmm.

[Mardelin]

Is your vet specifical speaking too the Chi? As far as yorkies, I've not found that to be true. C-sections on the average are only performed on yorkies because of difficulty during the whelping process....puppy too big, being presented incorrectly, matron not having the energy to whelp.....So, if C-section is performed in a timely manner puppies usually survive.

[angelbaby's mom]

Well, the timely manner part was an issue, since she didn't answer her cell phone (which she gave me the week before), and Gracie went from 10:30pm to 7:30am, having contractions and even pushing, but not producing the rest of her litter. So, maybe she was just covering her tracks, perhaps feeling a little guilty for not answering my calls at 3am and 5am. grrrrrr

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by angelbaby's mom

Well, the timely manner part was an issue, since she didn't answer her cell phone (which she gave me the week before), and Gracie went from 10:30pm to 7:30am, having contractions and even pushing, but not producing the rest of her litter. So, maybe she was just covering her tracks, perhaps feeling a little guilty for not answering my calls at 3am and 5am. grrrrrr

You could be very right.....Excuse my spelling on specifically don't know what I was thinking.

If you are planning more litters, it may be a good idea to find a back-up vet. I have 3 that I can turn to. Although I've never had to use the other 2, but I do hate going to emergency.

Congratulations on your litter, glad they're doing well, inspite of their rocky start.

[angelbaby's mom]

You are absolutely correct. We are actually moving back to Texas this summer (Frisco/Plano), which is where I spent the first 31 years of my life. So, I will definitely have access to many vets. Thank God.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by angelbaby's mom

You are absolutely correct. We are actually moving back to Texas this summer (Frisco/Plano), which is where I spent the first 31 years of my life. So, I will definitely have access to many vets. Thank God.

I live in Colleyville. Dr. Robert Hawthorne in Dallas is the vet of choice. He's absolutely marvelous and breeder friendly. Doesn't over charge, make you come in if it's necessary. Answers the phone. He does seminars and is on several vet teams. He actually owns one of my breeder/mentor's yorkies. Most of the breeders and Regional Yorkie Club Members in the area go to him. He's very knowledgable about yorkies.

What is really amazing some of my forever families have opted to use him and when they've gone in, the staff can usually tell who is the yorkie breeder. So, they're very familiar with lines and pedigrees

[YorkieRose]

Tell your vet there is a world of difference in the two breeds. Yorkies are the hardiest of the toy breeds...once a sectioned litter is out and thriving, I find they are no different then a natural whelping.

Pom breeders tell me it is common to find a 6 or 8 week old dead in the morning..in 30 plus years I do not recall any surprise deaths..believe me ,I saw them coming...pup started crying or rejecting nipple or staying by itself, cold, mom pushed it away, on and on...but to put a fat, warm, nursing pup to bed and find it dead in the moning..No, I have never encountered it..of course some have had accidents with the dam harming the pup.

I had a girl with a litter of 4 one time who thought the bed was too hot or not comfortable, (who knows her reason) so she took all 4 pups and laid them on the stone cold tile floor in mid January....all lived..but I put them in a clamp top pen...!

[set1958]

Hi,

My Yorkie had a c-section on January 17, 2007. I had many, many sleepless nights so these puppies lived. My vet did not tell me all that I needed to know. However, the on call vet was wonderful. they told me to turn the Mom every hour the night after the section, to specifically not roll onto her back but to turn onto her legs and over. This was to prevent pneumonia. The puppies had to be placed to nurse every 2 hours for the first couple of days, then every 3 hours. My mom would not drink water perhaps nausea. She got subq fluids at the vet about every 3-4 days because she would not drink anything, ie water broth, pedialyte, nothing. I fed her chicken and rice which she ate and added extra water whenever she wanted it sometimes 6 times a day. We had extra difficulty because the vet spade her without telling me that she could lose her milk. They must have fluids to produce milk and right after surgery the pups have to nurse to produce milk. I too, had two small puppies so I also let them nurse first and always at the rear of mom because that is where the most milk is. Keep the nutracal handy for them. Good Luck! Susan

[set1958]

My vet said 40%. They just require careful monitoring and they should be fine. He scard me to death. Susan

[angelbaby's mom]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I live in Colleyville. Dr. Robert Hawthorne in Dallas is the vet of choice. He's absolutely marvelous and breeder friendly. Doesn't over charge, make you come in if it's necessary. Answers the phone. He does seminars and is on several vet teams. He actually owns one of my breeder/mentor's yorkies. Most of the breeders and Regional Yorkie Club Members in the area go to him. He's very knowledgable about yorkies.

What is really amazing some of my forever families have opted to use him and when they've gone in, the staff can usually tell who is the yorkie breeder. So, they're very familiar with lines and pedigrees

Thank you so much for the referral. I hope to find a good vet closer to where we will be living (Frisco or Plano), but if I have to go to Dallas, so be it. It would be worth the drive for quality care for my girls and their babies.
Also, for peace of mind for ME.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by angelbaby's mom

Thank you so much for the referral. I hope to find a good vet closer to where we will be living (Frisco or Plano), but if I have to go to Dallas, so be it. It would be worth the drive for quality care for my girls and their babies.
Also, for peace of mind for ME.

It's a 26 mile drive for me, but well worth it. Off the 635 at Jupiter Road and Northwest Highway. I can't recommend him enough. I have another exhibitor/breeder friend that lives in Lavonne, right next to McKinney who drives all the way into him.

[angelbaby's mom]

Ok. You have convinced me. I will take my girls to him. I have definitely learned through this experience that a good vet is priceless.