Pregnant bitches and running

samlyn0001 · Post by **samlyn0001** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:38 am

Honey Pot,.
I dont know how far you are from me in NH but if you would like to come up to our house we have a 3/4 acre training pen for the pups. I dont have any rabbits down right now. If you wanted to you could bring her up a couple days a week for some excercise. When you get a chance pop in and I will show you around.

So far I have not yet had a c- section, (knock on wood). Although my last bitch I had to give oxytocin to because she never got the pushing pains and dragged out the beginning stages of labor for three days

I have read that first timers can do that to you. (prolonged labor).

I know what your saying about those big blocky heads. Blackey has got that kind of head, and we are always prepared when we got Fat Buddy pups coming into the world. I have not lost a pup since June of 03. I had a couple close calls since but now have a bit more experience. Either way I think it is just as stressfull as being in labor yourself

Just send me a PM if you want to get together sometime.
You take care and good luck on your pups

S.R.Patch · Post by **S.R.Patch** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:59 am

Letting the bitch hunt is good for her up to the point she has trouble keeping up, some "will" over do it to stay in, some may take to cutting corners to stay in, some may become independent and go off and run their own rabbit. None of this is good for the bitch. When it comes to this point, it's best to hunt her with slower or those of like kind hounds or simply solo run(waddle), so she doesn't over do it. Jumping is a no-no for a bitch in welp...
Use good sense and don't over tax her condition and you should be fine

...Patch

ps. never use "oxytocin" to promote labor at the start. Oxytocin dramatically increases the strength of the contractions. The pups placenta must be released from the wall of the womb where it is connected for the blood of oxygen & nutrition to the pup. The contractions normally increase slowly to allow this to happen without tearing loose, if torn, the bitch can bleed to death. At this same time, during the onset of labor, the bitch dilates to allow passage of the pups, so you see where this can cause tearing and undue stress on the bitch and the pups, remember, the other pups are waiting their turn, while the first one is tring to be passed. If the bitch is not dilated fully, this will plug up the works. If a bitch is in "hard" labor for 4 hrs. an no pup comes, something is wrong(big pup, dead pup, pup out of placenta(dry birth) or pup turned backwards. If your not experienced to help the bitch, take her to the vet.
If this went on for 3 days, I would expect dead pups and a very sick mama...

samlyn0001 · Post by **samlyn0001** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:04 pm

S.R.Patch,
It was sure a first for me. Had heard of oxytocin being used but never had myself. This was a first time labor for her. I think she was holding out. I have read where they can actually stop their labor. Her temp had jumped up and down all the week before. This is what happened.

Sunday evening temp was below 99. I had slept out in the birthing pen and was up all night on and off. Heck of a wind and rain storm that night too. Was a bit scared because the hubby had built the framework for my birthing pen....LOL. Could hear trees snapping and limbs landing on the roof. I stayed in the stall. Didnt eat well all day just nit picked at food.

Monday she started panting, and digging, and threw up a couple of times. Not eating so I gave some nutra-cal. Made sure she had plenty of water. This went on here and there all day. She would sleep good in between times. I had a baby moniter in the house. She didnt like being alone so I spent most of the day out with her. Expecting pups by the next day. Mine always seem to keep you up all night then start pushing in the morning. Spent the night with her. She awoke on and off all night. Dig a little. and panting. I figured this was gonna happen.

Tuesday no pups. I had to go to work and was late. Hubby stayed home with her. I got phone calls saying that she wasnt eating but was digging like a mad woman. Everytime he went out to check on her she was digging. I figured well labor must finally be progressing. I got home from work and spent the night with her again. I have a stethoscope so I listened to heart beats, pups were moving really good. I got settled into the stall and tried to get some sleep. I was whooped! She would sleep good, then wake me up sitting up panting. Never did I feel or see her tightening up hard. Just a little bit.

Wednesday morning I called the vet. Said I would wait til noon and call them back. We both took a good long nap. This is when I decided if she can sleep that well then nothing is happening. I called the vet back around noon. They gave me two choices.
A. Bring her in and they would start giving her oxytocin and monitor her
B. I could go get the oxytocin and bring her in if a problem arose.

Well I chose B. I didnt want to stress her out by giving her a ride to the vets. The vet said her labor had gone stagnant. Those shots worked fast and she had her first pup at 1:33p and her last one at 6:20p. First shot was given at 1:11. She had two pups. Then I waited. Nothing. Next shot was given at 3:45. She had three pups from 4:04-4:39. Then I listened and heard another heartbeat. Nothing. at 6:10 I gave my last shot. Pup was born at 6:20. And yes you are right. Oxytocin brings on really hard and fast pains. It is the same as pitocin(sp) and women. The first pup that was born she turned around a bit my elbow and wouldnt let go. Didnt think that pup was gonna make it because it had gotten so much fluid in its lungs. But boy he was a fighter!

I had read all the posts around that time on oxytocin, and I said I would never use it. Well in a situation like that I did what I had to do. First time giving intra muscular shots too. My vet is my support. (finally got a good one) Anytime I have a hound that is preg. he wants to know. That way we can stay in contact no matter what time of the day or night if a problem should arise. They will come to my house and do health checks on my pups and certificates for minimal cost. I had never had an experience like this and I hope I dont have another one. The problem was is she never had the hard labor to cause the pushing pains. So as Patch said dont use this unless it is completely necessary.