6 Year Old Brood Female

[Wilkerson Boys]

Female has had and is having normal 6 month cycles. Has had good healthy litters up till last couple times bred. This last time was false pregnancy and time before, (back to back) lost her 2 pups. She is now 6 yrs. old. What is your experiance? This female is for sale and I have the male that has crossed with her very successfully. Is she worth the gamble? Wayne

[mike crabtree]

If the pups were just a couple of days old when they died, it was probably a simple infection. The infection gets in the milk and kills the puppies. I put all my females on 500 mg of amoxicillin for 5 days before and after puppies are born.

[Joe P.]

Hey Wayne, I agree with Mike but would also put her on vitamens during pregnancy.

This summer I aquired a female that was 6 years old and had had trouble raising pups. With good care and vitamens she raised a litter of 6.

[SilverBullet]

How many litters has this bitch had? Also since you mention a false pregnancy, suspect ovarian/mammary cysts or tumors, which can sometimes be the cause of misses, false pregnancies, and unthrifty pups.
Six years is also getting up in age for a bitch ... I know some breed theirs much older than that, but the indivigual bitch, her diet, environment, stress and internal health need to be considered.
Remember that as the bitch ages, so do her eggs. Unlike males who are constantly replacing older sperm, the female's eggs are hers for life. Age and health problems that are brewing even thought the dog is showing no symptoms are all factors in weakening eggs.
Seriously, without a simple & cheap blood test and exam done by the vet, you may want to reconsider breeding her again.

[Wilkerson Boys]

Thanks SilverBullet. Wayne