indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Hiyas, one of my iggy bitches is now 7 weeks pregnant with her maiden litter. She is a petite bitch and while her ribs have been as wide as the ocean her belly hasnt swollen much at all. Have asked a local experienced breeder to look at her this past weekend, she assured me the dog was definately in whelp. Also asked a very experienced iggy breeder who assured me that if she was only carrying 1 or 2 pups she may not 'show' in the belly until her final week. Last night i noticed she seemed to have changed a little in shape, her chest seemed to be not as wide but I thought ok maybe the pup is shifting down and by morning she will have a swollen belly. Nope this morning her ribs def not as wide, plus she is racing around. My gut feeling is she has reabsorbed the puppies, if she has thats just one of those things. What has me tearing my hair out in frustration is that the only vet with decent ultrasound equipment cant offer me an appointment until MONDAY. The other vet has limited ultrasound skills and an ultrasound machine that came out of the ark with Noah. Plus he charges $215 for an Xray! I cant afford that kind of money for a single xray! Im soo frustrated that I cant access vet services unless I pay a fortune. The Rspca is beyond useless - how can they not have an appointment available until next week? Anyone else have any suggestions? I have tried listeing for heartbeats with a stethescope and I did think i heard a pup's heartbeat on the weekend, but im not sure. I cant get a baby doppler here before next week as you cant buy them locally. I need to know if my bitch is still pregnant, as I need to cancel my leave from work if she isnt. I also need to book plane tickets to Sydney for work, and if she isnt having pups then I will spend a few days extra there with friends. If i dont book my tickets this week I may well not get a flight as the flights sell out up to 3 weeks beforehand. Arghhhhh!!! Im SOOOO frustrated!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Travel the distance to a vet who can offer you what you want, if you need to know so desperately that she is or isn't in whelp then you'll go the extra mile to get your answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 The next closest vet is 300km away.. assuming I can get an appointment on a saturday afternoon as I work fulltime. Its a tad more than an 'extra mile' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazzat Xolo Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) The next closest vet is 300km away.. assuming I can get an appointment on a saturday afternoon as I work fulltime. Its a tad more than an 'extra mile' these are the things one MUST do!! I would travel anywhere for the health and welfare of one of my bitches! IN fact we have just lost a litter and we travelled over 400ks just to make sure she was ok, but I guess everyone is different, to me the dog is number one priority No matter what the cost or travel!! Edited November 3, 2011 by Wazzat Xolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Ring the vet you have an appointment with on Monday and ask to speak to the vet or have them call you back and explain the situation. If that isn't possible turn up there and demand to speak to the vet. Don't just talk to vet nurses who will fob you off. Most vets are very reasonable if you speak to them direct, not through the nurses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 If it were me I would be putting the bitch on a plane to the nearest breeders that I was friendly with and asking that they look after her best interests. I am sure there are plenty that would offer to help if the call was put out. This way the bitch is under full observation and close handy to a vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 The next closest vet is 300km away.. assuming I can get an appointment on a saturday afternoon as I work fulltime. Its a tad more than an 'extra mile' these are the things one MUST do!! I would travel anywhere for the health and welfare of one of my bitches! IN fact we have just lost a litter and we travelled over 400ks just to make sure she was ok, but I guess everyone is different, to me the dog is number one priority No matter what the cost or travel!! Its not a question of my dogs 'health & welfare". Im frustrated I cant access the vet services I want until next week. Whilst you may be happy to pay more than $200 for an xray - im not, unless the dog has a health issue. I can and have paid this amount twice now for xrays that one of my dogs needed. Ironically I could fly the dog to Sydney and pay for an xray there then fly her home all for roughly the same cost as one xray here! My iggy bitch doesnt need an xray, she is doing fine. I WANT an xray or ultrasound to determine whether she is still in whelp. Likewise for driving a 600k round trip - would be a no brainer if my dog needed it. However I am frustrated that even though there are 2 vets here I cant get a quality ultrasound until next week. Whislt your lifestyle may be conducive to hopping in the car for a quick 6hr trip without a care in the world, mine is more complicated than that. Could i do it? yes if i had to. But it would involve planning and likely some time off work. I have to drive to South Australia on the Sunday, to deliver a dog - unfortunately nowhere near or past a vet. I currently have health issues which make it difficult for me to drive long distance, im already stretching it by the drive on Sunday, I doubt I would be well enough to work Monday if i drove Saturday as well. We dont all have the luxury of being able to rush off at a moments notice unless its an emergency. Some of us have other things we need to consider as well. My dogs ARE my number one priority but I also have a life, and it would make my life so much less complicated if i knew for sure she was no longer in whelp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 If it were me I would be putting the bitch on a plane to the nearest breeders that I was friendly with and asking that they look after her best interests. I am sure there are plenty that would offer to help if the call was put out. This way the bitch is under full observation and close handy to a vet. Ive considered that, jsut not terribly keen on flying a bitch who is a nervous dog as it is, that far along in her pregnancy. Would you fly one of your dogs that far in whelp if it wasnt an emergency? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 The next closest vet is 300km away.. assuming I can get an appointment on a saturday afternoon as I work fulltime. Its a tad more than an 'extra mile' these are the things one MUST do!! I would travel anywhere for the health and welfare of one of my bitches! IN fact we have just lost a litter and we travelled over 400ks just to make sure she was ok, but I guess everyone is different, to me the dog is number one priority No matter what the cost or travel!! Its not a question of my dogs 'health & welfare". Im frustrated I cant access the vet services I want until next week. Whilst you may be happy to pay more than $200 for an xray - im not, unless the dog has a health issue. I can and have paid this amount twice now for xrays that one of my dogs needed. Ironically I could fly the dog to Sydney and pay for an xray there then fly her home all for roughly the same cost as one xray here! My iggy bitch doesnt need an xray, she is doing fine. I WANT an xray or ultrasound to determine whether she is still in whelp. Likewise for driving a 600k round trip - would be a no brainer if my dog needed it. However I am frustrated that even though there are 2 vets here I cant get a quality ultrasound until next week. Whislt your lifestyle may be conducive to hopping in the car for a quick 6hr trip without a care in the world, mine is more complicated than that. Could i do it? yes if i had to. But it would involve planning and likely some time off work. I have to drive to South Australia on the Sunday, to deliver a dog - unfortunately nowhere near or past a vet. I currently have health issues which make it difficult for me to drive long distance, im already stretching it by the drive on Sunday, I doubt I would be well enough to work Monday if i drove Saturday as well. We dont all have the luxury of being able to rush off at a moments notice unless its an emergency. Some of us have other things we need to consider as well. My dogs ARE my number one priority but I also have a life, and it would make my life so much less complicated if i knew for sure she was no longer in whelp. Try talking to your vet and explaining the situation. He may be able to confirm a pregnancy over the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 If it were me I would be putting the bitch on a plane to the nearest breeders that I was friendly with and asking that they look after her best interests. I am sure there are plenty that would offer to help if the call was put out. This way the bitch is under full observation and close handy to a vet. Ive considered that, jsut not terribly keen on flying a bitch who is a nervous dog as it is, that far along in her pregnancy. Would you fly one of your dogs that far in whelp if it wasnt an emergency? Yes, she is only 7 weeks in whelp. Yes, we understand that you are upset, but you asked for answers and we are trying. Not everbody understand that where live can make it difficult. Is there any reason that another breeder could help you out by looking after her if you have to go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazzat Xolo Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 If it were me I would be putting the bitch on a plane to the nearest breeders that I was friendly with and asking that they look after her best interests. I am sure there are plenty that would offer to help if the call was put out. This way the bitch is under full observation and close handy to a vet. Ive considered that, jsut not terribly keen on flying a bitch who is a nervous dog as it is, that far along in her pregnancy. Would you fly one of your dogs that far in whelp if it wasnt an emergency? Yes, she is only 7 weeks in whelp. Yes, we understand that you are upset, but you asked for answers and we are trying. Not everbody understand that where live can make it difficult. Is there any reason that another breeder could help you out by looking after her if you have to go away. well keep trying then, I would assume if you keep your cool and speak to the VET as others have suggested they may understand your plight! Good luck with the dog, and best of all keep cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomsNZ Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Its amazing how much you can get by a lil honey........ Do speak (as mentioned) to the VET in charge, ask if it is at all possible either to squeeze you in somewhere, or to have you on stand by notice, so IF he has a spare few minutes, he can call you in. Obv means ready to drop everything on sat BUT if you get it then isnt it worth it? a 300kms trip is nothing. sure you would do that if needed, but if YOU need this done, then YOU have to make the call, either hear now, or later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Yeah vet told vet nurse to tell me he's sorry but can't do the ultrasound til Mondsy. I explained the situation, they just saud sorry can't fit you Sometimes living in a remote area sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomsNZ Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Then ask to be put on notice for a cancellation, or a squeeze in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 ...or ask at the local stock agent/government vet or if there's a livestock stud somewhere - they may have their own ultrasound machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 PomsNZ good idea 're asking to be on stand by in case they have a cancellation. Unfortunately 300km is everything when you have a chronic pain issue which involves blinding headaches. I am already driving 6hrs on Sunday. I'm due to get a cortisone injection on 1st Dec (first avail appointment) afterbthat I can drive long distance no worries. It's just not terribly safe to drive at speed in remote areas when you are in a lot of pain. It's very very hard to focus and concentrate properly on the road. I guess it's hard to really sporeciate that if you never drive in remote areas. I do need to consider my own health and safety here as well as my dogs. It's just crappy timing and a crappy situation. I think I'm just going to have to accept I'm screwed lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 ..and it will be around 36 degrees over the next few days!!.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Doglady0419 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) PomsNZ good idea 're asking to be on stand by in case they have a cancellation. Unfortunately 300km is everything when you have a chronic pain issue which involves blinding headaches. I am already driving 6hrs on Sunday. I'm due to get a cortisone injection on 1st Dec (first avail appointment) afterbthat I can drive long distance no worries. It's just not terribly safe to drive at speed in remote areas when you are in a lot of pain. It's very very hard to focus and concentrate properly on the road. I guess it's hard to really sporeciate that if you never drive in remote areas. I do need to consider my own health and safety here as well as my dogs. It's just crappy timing and a crappy situation. I think I'm just going to have to accept I'm screwed lol. indigirl: do you have or can you get a hold of a stethiscope??? You may be able to hear heartbeats. The vet might be able to help with this. At 7 weeks I am certain this is possible. At 7 weeks the vet should be able to feel them. I would be more concerned closer to the whelping due date. If she is in pup she will go into labour, if she isn't then she will not. Edited November 3, 2011 by Doglady0419 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Doglady0419 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 PomsNZ good idea 're asking to be on stand by in case they have a cancellation. Unfortunately 300km is everything when you have a chronic pain issue which involves blinding headaches. I am already driving 6hrs on Sunday. I'm due to get a cortisone injection on 1st Dec (first avail appointment) afterbthat I can drive long distance no worries. It's just not terribly safe to drive at speed in remote areas when you are in a lot of pain. It's very very hard to focus and concentrate properly on the road. I guess it's hard to really sporeciate that if you never drive in remote areas. I do need to consider my own health and safety here as well as my dogs. It's just crappy timing and a crappy situation. I think I'm just going to have to accept I'm screwed lol. indigirl: do you have or can you get a hold of a stethiscope??? You may be able to hear heartbeats. The vet might be able to help with this. At 7 weeks I am certain this is possible. At 7 weeks the vet should be able to feel them. I would be more concerned closer to the whelping due date. If she is in pup she will go into labour, if she isn't then she will not. If you were not sure you heard heartbeats, then let your vet have a listen. Book your ticket and leave it open ended for your return. At the end of the day, some of the best layed plans never eventuate as we would like..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) Got any greyhound people nearby? They will know who has a scanner. I get mine done by the sheep scanner, he does a much better job than the vet and is cheaper Edited November 3, 2011 by cowanbree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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