Dogs Trust Loughborough: First Caesarean

Iris arrived at the centre in April 2013, she was a stray dog brought in by the local dog warden. It was immediately evident that Iris was heavily pregnant and needed a quiet comfortable area in which to give birth.

Iris was checked daily by the vet team on her progress, we thought that approximately 7 days after her arrival the puppies would soon be born; however Iris had other ideas, the next day it was clear that Iris was struggling so would require a caesarean!

This needed to be done quickly, so Gemma, the vet, swung into action. This is the first caesarean we have had to do in the year we have been open, it’s really nerve wracking for everyone involved, it’s a big team effort…would we all remember what to do? All the pressure is on the vet to get the puppies out alive and then it’s down to the nurses to revive the puppies!! Well it all went smoothly and every puppy survived, mum is doing well and we now have 6 delightful little ones!

Despite Iris having a surgical wound from her caesarean she was an excellent mother, caring for and feeding her puppies very well.

When the puppies were 2 weeks old they needed their first dose of wormer, this is given as a paste from a syringe, each puppy has an individual dose depending on their weight so the puppy rearers are given instructions on who needs what. They get worm larvae from the mother’s milk so they are treated every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old to keep on top of the worm burden.

At 6 weeks old all puppies are ready to have their very first vaccination, until this age they get maternal antibodies passed through the milk from the mother but this needs replacing with a vaccination. All the puppies are monitored daily by the vet and at this point are a very thorough health check.

Mother and puppies continue to do well, the puppies are now old enough to join us in our 1^st birthday celebrations…here they are enjoying socialising with staff, party members and other dogs!

 

Iris was an excellent mum; all her puppies were successfully weaned. Iris was soon re-homed and all puppies have now gone off to join their families to start a new life.

We look forward to seeing how much they have grown when they return to us for neutering at the end of August!!

VIDEO: Adorable litter born at Dogs Trust Ballymena (Northern Ireland)

Remember that post where I said we do get puppies? This is one of those times. Dogs Trust Ballymena recently accepted a dog who was already pregnant and this adorable litter is the result. (Mum will be neutered as soon as appropriate before being rehomed).

The pups are still too young for homes, but if you want to make any enquiries about them, please contact Dogs Trust Ballymena directly on 028 2565 2977.