TNDaffodil

Ok, I was hoping someone might give me some insite into what to expect out of a Basset birthing. I have only bred Miniature Schnauzers before now, and my mother has raised and showed Shelties, but neither of us or our friends have much knowledge in the Basset area. I have a female due two weeks from today, and I just want to make sure I do everything I need to do, I've read some stuff online that's kind of scared me as far as their capability to take care of their puppies, smothering them, etc. But, I don't take a lot of that heart sometimes because I think their really just trying to prevent people just breeding their dogs for the fun heck of it all the time. Anyway, anyone with any actualy experience knowledge and their advice would be greatly appreciated, I just wanted to try her once because she's a beautiful Basset, with a great size and disposition, and we'll see how it goes, I will probably have her fixed after this, but my Mom wanted to see her have pups at least once. Getting my Basset I dreamed of having since childhood was one of the best decision I have made and thanks to all the people who gave me lots of good sound advice on the breed before I got her. She has been wonderful, she was housebroken completely by 6-8 months, she does great in the house, and is a wonderful companion to me and my three wonderful Schnauzer babies. She thinks she's Schnauzer actually I do believe, you wouldn't believe the things she gets herself into just because they've done it, and I don't think she realizes the size difference LOL!

Betsy Iole

Bassets are not great whelpers; they often require C-sections. Most breeders plan to be with newborn litters and the dam 24/7 for the first week or two, to prevent the accidents you have mentioned.

__________________
Betsy, Mom to
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Caper UD RE TD BHCA-VC
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Cuppa Joe TD
CH Bugle Bay's AllUCanEat Buffet CDX RN TDX NA CGC BHCA-VCX, 1996-2008
"Bugsie" UDX NA NAJ CGC, 1991-2006

Barbara Winters

I don't know anyone who hasn't lost a pup that's been smothered by the mother. Actually the one's I've heard about usually happen between the Mom and side of whelping box. Some say a rail on the sides of the whelping box helps prevent this but it still happens. Hope you've got a couple of weeks vacation lined up as Betsy says you really need to be there 24/7 for the first week or two. And make sure you've got a veterinarian lined up for an emergency C-section. I know someone who didn't and it cost $3000 at the emergency clinic.

BTW I've helped whelp three litters but never had the desire to be a breeder. I'll leave that to people like Miriam, Dean and Billy!

Klickitat

I have just had a litter of three puppies. They were born on Monday. Despite the mother being in her box for two weeks prior to the whelping, she decided that she hated the box. The first puppy was born outside. In the freezing rain. I saved it. Four hours later the next two puppies were born in the whelping box. Mon decided that she wanted nothing to do with the box. I have learned to never argue with a Basset mother. She picked a new spot; box and all moved. Now she is happy. On day two the second born puppy started to scream. I was unable to save it. After six hours of fluid therapy, time in the vets' incubator and lord knows the size of the bill the puppy died. I now have two puppies. I sleep for about ten minutes at a time. Right now, even though I have been b Oxboro reeding Bassets for over half of my life, I do not ever want to have another litter. I hope that you have the nice quiet litter that we all dream about just before the night mare hits.

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Stephanie

Betsy Iole

Congratulations on your litter, Stephanie, and I'm very sorry for your loss.

__________________
Betsy, Mom to
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Caper UD RE TD BHCA-VC
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Cuppa Joe TD
CH Bugle Bay's AllUCanEat Buffet CDX RN TDX NA CGC BHCA-VCX, 1996-2008
"Bugsie" UDX NA NAJ CGC, 1991-2006

TNDaffodil

Ok well this is sounding like a lot of fun LOL! The people that own the stud I use said they always induse the labor of their females. Have you heard of doing this and will it help prevent some of this. I do have vacation lined up for at least the first week of the liter so that part is cool, but it definately sounds like I will be sticking to my darling Schnauzer pups the way y'all talk, they sound much easier to handle.

Betsy Iole

I've not heard responsible breeders mention induction of labor. What are these other folks using to induce labor?

ETA, is it possible that these folks are using the term "induce", when they really mean "augment"? Pitocin is commonly used to augment labor. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes the bitch must still be sectioned.

[ March 12, 2006, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]

__________________
Betsy, Mom to
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Caper UD RE TD BHCA-VC
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Cuppa Joe TD
CH Bugle Bay's AllUCanEat Buffet CDX RN TDX NA CGC BHCA-VCX, 1996-2008
"Bugsie" UDX NA NAJ CGC, 1991-2006

TNDaffodil

No I don't think so because they were talking about using Oxytosin (sp?), which is what the vet uses to induce, they even said their vet gave it to them to administer themselves. I found this rather odd practice myself, but I didn't want to question them.

Betsy Iole

Pitocin is the synthethic form of oxytocin.

__________________
Betsy, Mom to
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Caper UD RE TD BHCA-VC
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Cuppa Joe TD
CH Bugle Bay's AllUCanEat Buffet CDX RN TDX NA CGC BHCA-VCX, 1996-2008
"Bugsie" UDX NA NAJ CGC, 1991-2006

TNDaffodil

Well this clarifies a lot when my vet used oxytosin on my Schnauzer when she was having a hard time birthing he said he induced her, and that's what the people with the stud said as well, so I assumed that's what they were doing LOL, ok so now that we have this clarified should I try to go that direction with her and use oxytosin?