How many puppies in the litter?
 

Our Lexie was bred on May 16th and is due July 19th. She is a great Mom, having two litters before this pregnancy, each with 6 beautiful puppies. My concern is that Lexies is getting so big so quickly this time around. Has anyone had a female that gave birth to more than 6 puppies? How dangerous is this for Lexie? We never had to suppliment new puppies, but if Lexie has a bigger litter, I will expect we wil have to, right? Lexie is my best friend besides being a great Mom and I don't want anything to go wrong. Does anyone have any suggestions, or am I just being an over protective lover of a female that is pregnant?

I think there are a few members here who have had rather large litters. Someone had 7 not long ago if I'm not mistaken.
If she is due on the 19th, you should be able to get and x-ray done in a week or so and that should give you a good indication as to if you should expect a large litter. They don't always give an exact number, but you'll have a good idea of what to expect. :)

Roxie had 7 pups her last litter. We were careful to give her calcium and she still ended up with eclampsia. You may have to suppliment. Just keep a close eye on mom and make sure that she has food and water available day and night. Seven is alot to handle for both of you so get your rest while you can!!

size can really fool you. my first girl gave birth to 5. when she had her 2nd litter, i thought she would have 7 due to her huge huge belly. i was very concerned.
she fooled me, she had 3 large....big....baby boys.

Thanks for all your replies. Calcium...how do I give it? Do I get it from the vet or over the counter? How much? Now or when the babies are born?

never while they are pregnant. this will stop her from producing it on her own.

Cottage Cheese
Whelping Pudding
or you can ask your vet for Calcium injections (given 3 times a week as a precautionary measure) After the babies are born.

Thanks...whelping pudding....can you give me a recipe?

I've posted this several times, but here you go. I also use if for weaning pups



Post Whelping Pudding

16 oz. water
1 pkg. Knox Gelatin
(micro. to disolve)
15 oz. can evap. milk
2 tabls. vanilla yogurt
2 egg yolks
2 tabls. white corn syrup
mix all ingred. in bowl let set in fridge
until thickens. Spoon out as needed.

Here's another to give to mom immediately after whelping

1 can of goats milk
equal parts of water
1 egg yolk
1 table spoon of Karo syrup.

Helps to get her strength back. Place a bowl right up to her and she'll lap it right up.

Both of the recipes help with milk production.

LadyHawk & Mardelin were very helpful when My Lexi was pregnant with 4 pups a few months ago.
I used the Whelping Pudding recipes also & her pups were never without milk.

Thanks for the recipes. I copied and will make a grocery run soon. I spoke to a friend that is a vet tech and she said not to try the cottage cheese right now since Lexie has never had it before. She does not want Lexie to get diarrhea and get dehydrated at this point.

litters
 

I have had several girls who produced litters 6 to 7..large litters are not easy for a small breed to continue to produce and nurse. The wise breeder needs to discuss future breedings with other breeders they respect and a breed-wise vet.
Good Luck to you and your bitch.

It's funny that you say that because I have spoken to the vet we use, that specializes in small dogs, because I was concerned about Lexie and her large litters. He keeps a very good eye on her, but has commented several times to me what a good breeding bitch she is. Lexie never complains, I just worry and she does fine. If he ever said that a pregnancy would not be a positive thing for her or the newborns, I would have her fixed right away. I am a very conservative, safe breeder.

I agree with Pat. Large litters are not always safe when dealing with small breeds. Now a lab that produces 6 or 7 will not have the problems faced by smaller dogs.

The most I've ever heard in a yorkie litter is 9.:eek:

It's good that she's never had any problems and I hope that she continues. However, I'll take the advice of someone that has been specialized in breeding yorkies for over 50 years than a vet...especially with the recent vet that killed a pup of ours. JMO

How many times a day do you offer this to her and for how long?

Thanks~

breeding
 

I am speaking in general...the uterus is like a balloon...blow up a balloon, let out the air, repeat over and over..at some point the balloon loses its elastistity.
The uterus is a muscle...and repeated large litters tends to wear it out..the bitch is more prone to needing oxyie shots to get the muscle to contract because it is flabby...but this can happen with a bitch who is bred over and over no matter the number of puppies..

Caring for and nursing is what wears out the bitch and makes her old long before her time...

i have to agree with everyone that large litters are not the best for such a small breed.

this post above is correct. i have read many times if a bitch has a large litters or repeated breeding , the muscles tend to stretch out making it harder for the bitch to push out the babies during a contraction causing the bitch to either have a c-section or repeated oxy shots.

Well we just got back from the vet and we only got good news. I have heard that YT prayers are the best so I am going to ask for as many as I can for Lexie and her litter. She is on day 52, want to get to July 19th, 13 days to go. She is on full rest and no stress!! Wish us luck!

good luck.

So Pat, I have to ask. What do you suggest to do with a mommy that has large litters? Don't breed her ? or only breed her once a year or less? I so trust every word you say. To me you are the voice of experience and you can't find that in any book.;)

litters
 

If a mom has more then 4, I suppliment..never taking any away, but filling all of the litter up several times per day..they will nurse less from mom.
I start weaning at 3 to 4 weeks..3 week olds will suck baby food beef off your fingers. The Wildweir sisters started at that age, but they used raw hamburger and a milky mush as I recall...

If the bitch is 7 or 8 pounds, I do not see why she can not have 3 or 4 litters, a year a part (if she has 6 or 7 pups). If she is a 5 pder..I prefer to stop at 2..but so many factors are involved, it is hard to be exact.

If you have been breeding with no problems, she is larger, good muscle tone, eats well, gets exercise, pups are supplimented, weaned early...rested a year, you might do fine breeding her more.

Kate's grandmother was a 9 pound girl (she was an AKC champion, but well formed LOL ) she had two litters of 3..then after a years rest she had 6, rested again and had 6 more...she was 6 yrs..so I spayed her. I was happy with her producing 18 puppies. She would have been rested and 7 yrs at the next heat, so it was time.

Breeders all have different opinions...some have no problems with a btich producing large litters over and over..but by the time the bitch is 7 yrs old.. for the most part, they have few teeth left and the knees are gone...they look worn out.

Well Lexie is at day 54!! If she can carry this litter for 6 more days I will be so happy!! She looks good and is eating, drinking, going outside. Please keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming!!

litter
 

It is like waiting for a pot to boil...I hope she doesn't drag it out to the last day possible!!! LOL

Pat,

I've got one that drags it out until the zero hour on the 63rd day of her 2nd breeding. I hate it.....

In a way, I am hoping that she goes to 63 days and the puppies are good size. She is on day 57 today, and my friend's puppies were born on day 57 and they were small but are doing well. Lexie is being a real trouper. She does have to go outside 3 times after bedtime though, which gets me up...thank God I am on vacation till mid Aug!!! Lexie appreciates all your prayers. Has anyone separated a large litter into two pens so that the mother gets to feed them all equally. I am ready to suppliment, but heard this is an option also. What do you think???

I messes up on the days...she is due July 19th!!!! She is doing great also!

yorkie litter
 

My female yorkie, angel has amazed me by having a litter of 14 chorkies. Sadly two didnt survive but the other 12 now three wks old.

!4 wow thats a huge litter. I have never heard of a litter that big with a yorkies

Me either, neither had the vet. It still amazes me when I see the huge pile of pups