Adopted pregnant dog in rough shape?

Question

Several months ago I moved to a small BC town. The population here is over 1/2 native and there are reserve dogs roaming everywhere. Some are friendly and well cared for while others are almost wild. Recently a pack of 14 dogs including a purebred blue heeler and golden retriever where shot and killed because they were starving and were chasing bighorn sheep. Anyway, there has been a mutt hanging around our property since we moved in. I saw her breed with another mutt on Sept 25. I remember because it was my son's b-day party. That would put her at 63 days today. But I'm sure she probably bred before that and probably 24-7 for her whole heat. She is definitly VERY pregnant. She can hardly get up and she has been outside in below freezing weather and she only has short hair. I convinced my hubby to let her in but we have two dogs already. The closest vet is 2hrs away and the road is bad now. What is the chance of some pups being too big to deliver since she was bred multiple times?

Yes, I've got myself in a real pickel now. I don't know anyone well enough here to ask for help but I have called a vet. I'm just surprised she hasn't delivered yet and her temp is still normal. So I thought maybe some pups could grow much bigger if concieved awhile before the others. The dog is very docile but I will definitly keep my kids and dogs away from her. Not sure what to do with the pups-especillay since we are going away for xmas and they will be too young to give away. Plus if I give them away here chances are they wont be fixed and then this scenerio will just happen again.

Oh, and I think it may be her 1st litter. She seemed young and playful and had no nipples when I first met her.

Answer 1

There's no way of knowing, but chances are good that if she mated with dogs much larger than her, that she'll have problems.

Good for you for taking her in and saving her puppies' lives (and probably hers as well). If you can't get her to a vet, is there someone close to you - a farmer, maybe, who's helped deliver animals, who could be available in case you need help?

Answer 2

Thank you for taking this dog in. Keep your dogs away from her though as new babies and labor pains can make dogs cranky and I'd hate for your kindness to be repaid by her killing one of your dogs.

Contact the vet and get as much advice as you can. Ask if there is a number you can call him at if there is a complication so he can walk you through it. The size of the pups will have nothing to do with number of times she bred. It's going to depend on the genetics. Since you don't know the size of all the males she could have bred with or the size of her own parents, some could be too big, some could be just plain tiny, and some could be average size for her. Just stay nearby and watch. If she has trouble, ask the vet. Be very careful that she doesn't bite you during whelping. She doesn't know you well, she'll be in lots of pain, and she'll be protective of her puppies. If you have kids, keep them out of the way. The less stress, the easier this will be for both of you. Good luck. Everything will probably be fine. Oh, she may not want to leave her babies so put water by her whelping area and feed her there as well. Many females won't eat or drink unless it is right there beside them because they don't want to leave their pups unprotected. Take her out to potty on leash because roving males will smell her and often they mistake the 'just delivered' smell with the 'in heat' smell and could injur her if they try to breed her again.

About the update, the pups will be conceived at the same time. She only ovulates once during the cycle and the semen will already be there most likely. If not, as soon as it gets there, the eggs are going to get fertilized. Some dogs do go as long as day 65 but if she goes longer than that, I suggest just giving her to the vet clinic unless you're willing to pay for the c-section. It's rare but some dogs don't ever go into labor (body doesn't release the hormones to do it) and if that happens with her, she WILL need a C-section or she'll die. It's also possible that she bred before she ovulated so it's actually not time to deliver yet. Some dogs also don't have the temperature drop so she may not have it. Does she have milk in? If she does (squeeze a nippled gently to see if any comes out), expect puppies within three days. Walks may send her into labor. You can also try giving her a dark, warm place with some old blankets (take these away when she starts to whelp so no pups get smothered in them). Feeling safe and secure may relax her enough to go into labor. Good luck! Keep me updated on her progress please. My e-mail address is [e-mail] I'd really like to know if everything goes okay.

Answer 3

Hi jane, how very decent of you to take her in, well done. You'll know when labours started because her waters will break, its like a great big wee! Next, you'll see her crouching down as if she's having another wee but you'll see a golf ball size mucus bubble, she'll burst it or wipe it across the ground to break it, if she does neither you'll have to do it by wiping a towel gently across the bubble until it bursts, its filled with milky fluid. Please be careful that she doesn't bite you, she's a wild dog remember and isn't used to people being nice to her! After the bubble will come the pups, that can take a little while but shouldn't really take over an hour. She'll know instinctively what to do when the pups are coming so let her get on with it but be at the sideline in case she gets into trouble. If, by chance, the pups are big, she'll need help but don't panic, you're sensible and level headed and you can do it, have faith in yourself! All you'd need to do it hold the pup gently but firmly and very gently pull forward with a little twisting motion to get the head free, once thats out the rest of the body will follow. Leave mum to clean them and don't worry if she appears to be rough with them, its just their way. Keep her and the babies warm and offer mum some water, thirsty work giving birth then have a drink yourself, you certainly deserve it! Mum wont want any food before or during labour but she'll wolf down a decent meal when she's rested a while. Bless you for giving her a warm bed, you'll be rewarded in some way for that. I hope everythings works out well for you all x

Answer 4

Again, you are a great addition to the area to be so loving as to help this lady. See if you can clean her up before the puppy start coming. De-flea and bath.

Make her a nest somewhere she can feel safe in control. If she doesn't like your space she will find another one and may not be to your liking. Have some old blankets and towels for her and some extra towels for you. This probably isn't her first litter and she will know what to do. If you can call a vet and see what he can offer about any problems you may have. Some times a breach will need to be pulled and you need to be careful because pulling can cause problems. Trust her instinct. Be sure she has good food....even though at this point it won't help the pups, but maybe make her have quality milk for them.
Hopefully she will let you help, but she may prefer to be alone. Watch her body language and follow her lead.

Answer 5

Thank you for taking her in.
She should be delivering soon.
I would just pray that she will deliver normal.
If possible give her goats milk or get puppy replacement.
She would be best on Puppy food for extra nourishment.
If she has them within a day or so the pups can at least be started on weaning by Christmas. I don't know is it possible to ask teh vet if he at least knows someone that can possible foster the pups while you are away??
Most dogs temps will drop but sometimes they don't.
Idon't know what else can be done unless youdecide to go the 2 hour drive and have a c-section done for safety.

Answer 6

its a good chance but its hard to say.. if the dog is bigger then she may have problems ... keep her away from the other dogs beause if thier scent gets on the puppies she could kill them and even more she could attack your dogs.if she delivers the puppies soon keep her in a warm room and whatch her verry closely incase of complications if anything happens then call the vets and have then help you over the phone if the roads are that bad. keep warm towls and warm water near during her delivery incase one pup isn't breathind much... it could be because of the coldness.... the best thing you can do is think possitive becauces if not you can stres out the mother dog. hope this helps some. good luck and bless you for taking her in.

Answer 7

Wow. First, I applaud you for taking the poor girl in. As far as whelping goes, you may be in for a bumpy ride, but she aslo may be fine. Monitor her, offer her water, and try to be around during the labor. If a pup gets stuck, you can maually help it out. I would recommend at least consulting a vet before doing it though. They might even be willing to walk you through it. Good luck, and thank you for saving her!