[bruisersmom]

Wow I just got back from my vets office where I thought I was having my dog spayed, we adopted her from the Humane Society as a stray, and we were informed that she is pregnant. I have no idea what type of dog she was involved with and I have no idea what to expect. Any advise is appreciated.

[tickle]

Why don't you go back to the human society where you adopted her from and ask them if they have any background. Here, when adopting, it is as complicated as adopting a baby. Our shelter has a bit of a record for every one of their adoptees, as far back as they can determine from the vet check and the person who dropped them off. I should say, where possible, because some are reall foundlings.

I just the hope her babies are not to big for her pass and you should keep a close eye on her along with your vet. Of course seeing as you adopted her and chose her, you are entirely responsible for her well being and I am sure you are. I have just heard of just so many horror stories after adoption.

A client of mine has an American Chihuaua which is so different from Mexican. He is like a tiny perfect shaped little dog, intelligent and just a joy to be around.

Good luck with your lovely little pet and both of you are soon to be moms!

[Regno]

Wow I just got back from my vets office where I thought I was having my dog spayed, we adopted her from the Humane Society as a stray, and we were informed that she is pregnant. I have no idea what type of dog she was involved with and I have no idea what to expect. Any advise is appreciated.

Perhaps the vet should decide whether this pregnancy could be a risk for her. Lets hope the male was a small dog!

[labman]

The best thing I can say is keep in touch with the vet. Do some reading. If you are going to safely whelp the puppies, you need to know far more than you will be able to learn here. I know Successful Dog Breeding, by Chris Walkowicz, DMV would be a good choice, but you might just see what your local library has.

Thank you for adopting her and planning to be a responsible dog owner. I will do what I can to help you get through the results of somebody else's irresponsibility. Some others here and I are negative about breeding, but we will give you the support you deserve for what isn't your doing.

As you do some reading, come back with any specific questions. We will try to help you deliver the puppies and care for them until you can find good homes for them.

I get very upset with questions from clueless people contributing to our problems of too many dogs.

[labman]

I support the site policy to ask and answer questions in the public forum. I am confident enough in my answers to accept public scrutiny. Public questions and answers may help others. In this case, some would be breeders could get a glimpse of what all is involved in whelping and caring for puppies. It is not easy to do right.

From a PM:

So the vet did an ultrasound and there appears to be 3 pups and we guess that they are due in about 4 weeks. I have been doing lots of reading and am wondering about a whelping box. I really don't see the need to buy something expensive since this is the only puppies we will let her have, do you have any suggestions?

And thank you for your help as this was a complete surprise.

I don't have too much experience whelping puppies. My friends have huge easy to clean fiberglass boxes. The box has sort of a shelf running around the outside so that the puppies can fit under and the mother can't pin them against the edge or lay on them. I am glad you doing some reading whether it was my suggestion, or your own good sense.

For a one time only, I know many times a cardboard box suffices. In fact that was what my friends used when our Aster was born. Make sure it is big enough that she can keep the puppies at one end, and take them to the other end to eliminate. This is extremely important. New born puppies can't eliminate themselves. Given a chance, the mother will pick up a whining puppy, carry it away from the nest, set it down, and stimulate it by licking its back. It then eliminates and quits whining. She carries it back and gets the next. If you don't promptly remove bowel movements, she will eat them. For those having trouble housebreaking puppies and with them fouling their crate, thank the breeder for keeping the mother and litter crammed together.

Mark the puppies if you need to so you can keep track of them. With only 3 and maybe different colors, you may not need to. With say 10 black lab puppies, you must do something, different colored collars or shaved patches in different spots.

As I said, keep in touch with the vet. Who knows what all she may have been bred by. It is possible the puppies may be too large for her to deliver and may need Cesarean. The vet can do another ultra sound later. I have to look at the contrast between you who are doing your best to give her the care she needs, and whoever let her get pregnant. May God bless you.

[mrscoltweaver]

Chihuahuas and a emergency C section go hand in hand. Have your emergency vet's number ready-esp if you were told there are more than 2 puppies. I am puzzled why the vet and maybe yourself wanted to continue the high risk pregnancy and birth when the pups are not going to be purebred? Very few chihuahuas have puppies on their own and the impending vet bills will be quite expensive for just an adopted pet.
You do still have time for spaying... I'm sure this will be popular but needs to be said!

[bruisersmom]

Well the vet and I discussed the alternatives but getting rid of her puppies goes against everything that I believe in and he agreed. God doesn't give us more than we can handle and well it's only money. I will work a little extra, sell whatever I need to and pray that everything works out.

My friends and I spent the afternoon yesterday building Bruiser a Puppy Palace to have and raise her babies in. It has a small birthing area, special food/water area, bathroom and play area for the pups as they grow. We built it out of a really big cardboard box and covered it with contact paper. Spoiled mama dog!!

[mrscoltweaver]

Good luck with that. Like I said, have your emergency numbers ready just in case!

[bruisersmom]

Well Bruiser had her pups last night. She delivered 4, 3 girls and a boy with a little help from the vet... they were setting up the surgery room thinking she needed a c-section and they came back to get her and she had delivered on her own. They appear to be part Terrier, mostly white with brown/black spots, they are very cute of course. Both momma and all the pups are doing great. Thanks to all of you for your advice!