> What are your thoughts on a c-section if she does not deliver before they > leave? What are your thoughts on a c-section anyway because of the litter > size and her last litter?
My first question to you is--did you do progesterone testing while breeding her? If so, depending on her numbers and date of breedings, you might have a better idea about whether or not she will go into labor much before her due date. When I breed only after the progesterone goes above 5, I don't think any of my girls have gone past 61 days. If you did so, you may not have to worry too much as she will likely have them before her due date. If you bred her very early, then you will have to make special arrangements, as she is much more likely to go up to her due date. If you don't know, don't take any chances. Ask the vet who else is in the area that he/she considers good for a c-section--not good as a vet, just good at c-sections. By narrowing your request, it might help your vet suggest someone other than the emergency clinic. You might want to check to see if there are any other show people in the area also. They may know of another vet that can help. If she goes into labor and starts having puppies on her own, make sure you have oxytocin on hand. My vet will give me oxytocin in syringes, already pre-measured--I only have to inject it. But remember, once you start injecting oxytocin--the placentas will start to separate--so those puppies MUST be born within a certain amount of time or they WILL drown--this is probably the cause for the stillborn puppy in the first litter and possibly some of the other deaths. I don't like to go beyond a hour after an oxytocin injection--if all puppies are not born within that hour (give more oxytocin if need be--ask your vet how often and how many times is tops), then I am off to the vet immediately! You can check her progesterone as the day for their trip nears and if it drops in time, do a voluntary c-section if you are more comfortable with that. To be honest, I wouldn't though. I would have the name of another vet, the oxytocin, etc. on hand and do my best. If the puppies are not coming then I would be off to that other vet. As for infection, I really hate to treat a mom unless absolutely necessary. I think I would have the necessary antibiotic on hand in case but not give it unless there was a fever. I might do something before the birth to boost her immune system as well and take extra care to hopefully prevent infection--although I haven't a clue as to how to take extra care! Whichever vet took care of her last time should be able to tell you which antibiotic to have on hand. Chances are very good that there will be no infection this time--infections are rare occurrences--just because she had one once doesn't mean it will happen again. Laura Trunk Roycroft Cavaliers ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
