C Sections And Staffords

[bossy01]

I am expecting my first litter of Staffords shortly. I am just wanting to guage how high a probability it would be that she would need an emergency c section at some point. It is her first litter, she is definately not overweight and is fed good quality food. I know one breeder who every litter i am aware of has required emergency c section and another who said very rarely. Is there any advice anyone can give me and to the Stafford Breeders out there how often have you required a c section and what did it cost?

Edited March 21, 2011 by bossy01

[Sandra777]

It could well depends very much on the history of your bitch's family. Go back to her breeder and ask them for her family's history.

I have been breeding Staffords for over 30 years and have two quite distinct experiences. One family, going back 6 generations has never needed a caesar. My other family are quite different, some do some don't.

All up probably 1 in 12 litters over the years has been a caesar, just off the top of my head.

Generally speaking if the bitch has a caesar I won't breed from her again, unless the caesar was because of a puppy laid incorrectly, so this would cut down my numbers a fair bit. The two bitches I have bred from after a caesar on their first litter both whelped normally. One had a third litter normally too.

Do you have an experienced person to help you?

It's always better IMO to avoid an ''emergency'' situation with a caesar. Line your vet up to do the caesar earlier rather than later is my way of thinking - no point being able to ''boast'' that the bitch whelped naturally if half the pups died before they had a chance and the bitch is absolutely exhausted and unable to care for the pups properly.

ETA: Cost - have at least $2000 set aside. I have never paid more than $1100 and that was a shock, but I know of other Stafford breeders who have paid twice that recently. Ask your vet for a price and for a mobile number you can contact them on regardless of the time of day.

Edited March 21, 2011 by Sandra777

[bossy01]

Thanks for the advice, I had her at the vet this morning for an xray and we saw 4 puppies. She whelped early this afternoon and delivered 6 healthy babies 2 girls and 4 boys. My vet was great this morning they let me know for her size to expect $1000 - $1500 but thank goodness it wasnt necessatry i had a staffy bitch that needed one 9 years go and it cost $700 back then.