gapvic Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Hi all, One of my bitches (greyhound) has just come into season and will be heading off to stud this weekend. We've bred three litters (out of her mother) but they were all delivered by c-section, so I've never actually had a bitch whelp at home. I'm really nervous and am so worried something will go wrong. This bitch is a maiden and means the world to me. Is there anyone in the Kyneton area who might be able to pop over when my bitch goes into labour, to guide and assist? I know it's a big ask :-(. Any assistance would be very greatly appreciated. Warm regards Larissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoL Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Good luck with it. The biggest thing I can suggest is keeping your vet on speed dial, especially as your girl's mother didn't whelp naturally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I would love to but I'm in the wrong state. There's nothing like a bit of moral support and having someone there to make you a cuppa. There's sure to be a DOLer who can help out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceilidh Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 If the mother has had three c sections then I wouldn't bet on the daughter free whelping. As Sol said, vet on speed dial. I would also be preparing the vet for the due date (especially if it is a Sunday) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapvic Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Thanks everyone. My vet is fabulous and always contactable, so no problems there. The grand-dam of the bitch (Magnate) whelped OK no problems, but no so her daughter (Minerva, mother of my girl). We had problems with the first litter so didn't give her a chance with the second two but opted for elective c sections. Regardless, we'll certainly be prepared to rush Maddie off to the vet and I'm a bit of a worry wart so always err on the side of caution. Interestingly, Minerva was only bred using implants and there appears to be a much higher incidence amongst greyhounds of those that are implanted requiring c-sections. Maddie is heading off to stud and being covered the old fashioned way :-). Thanks SBT123 - would just love someone there for the moral support and to show me how to get a puppy going if need be etc. Will continue to put the feelers out to see if I can find someone :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerojath Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 GapVic - personally I wouldn't be contemplating sending ANY bitch to a stud until I had learned enough about the whelping process to be comfortable and confident when the day comes. Can you postpone the mating until next season and give yourself some more time to learn? Just doesn't sound like you are well enough prepared. There is a good chance she will not free whelp by the sounds. Maybe, if you can afford to, and your Vet is prepared to (again, big ask) have the Vet there from the word go to monitor her and show you the ropes as things progress. I would be very nervous having a first litter if I "didn't know what to do", including reviving flat puppies, knowing when the bitch is 'in trouble', generally assisting with the whelping. Not all bitches know what on earth to do - especially the first time 'round. We all have to learn some time, but maybe do some more learning, find yourself a mentor, obtain as much knowledge as you can etc before taking the next step and having a litter. I believe your confidence is a big factor. Hope things work out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapvic Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Thanks Jerojath. I've raised three litters at home, just haven't done the actual whelping. Unfortunately I don't have the option of sitting this one out as we've already let her go the last two seasons. This is my reason for trying to find someone to sit in with me. As mentioned above I always err on the side of caution. I've done lots of reading and research - I'm not going into this blind :-). When we had problems with Minerva's first litter, I rushed her off to the vet at the first sign that things were not proceeding as they should have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerojath Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Thanks Jerojath. I've raised three litters at home, just haven't done the actual whelping. Unfortunately I don't have the option of sitting this one out as we've already let her go the last two seasons. This is my reason for trying to find someone to sit in with me. As mentioned above I always err on the side of caution. I've done lots of reading and research - I'm not going into this blind :-). When we had problems with Minerva's first litter, I rushed her off to the vet at the first sign that things were not proceeding as they should have. Cool. Have the same approach this time - first sign of trouble and off to the Vet! Maybe a DOLer would be prepared to give you their number to call for advice if she manages to whelp at home? You are welcome to have mine but I am a long distance call for you! PM me if you'd like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'd be happy to give you my number, I will be around when she's due to whelp and I can always call you back, as STD calls don't cost me anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Hi Larissa I think you are doing the right thing in getting someone experienced to help out during your bitch's labour - it's exactly what I did and it was invaluable. Hopefully someone will be available nearby. Another thing you could do is ask if anyone has a bitch due to whelp in your area over the next couple of months. Perhaps they may be happy for you to attend the whelping. That's if they have an easy going bitch that won't mind a stranger in the room. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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