Pregnant rescue dog - what should I know?

Elvismom · 03-05-2011, 10:41 PM

We took in Maisy

Because her owner's boyfriend was going to kill her. We're told she got pregnant 3 months ago (fuzzy math, I hope) probably by a chow. I really only know she is a basset & very pregnant.

I'm tkaing her to my vet to make sure mom & the pups are healthy etc., but I haven't had a pregnant dog in 25 years and am very, very nervous.

What are any red flags I should look for? What supplies should I have on hand? How do I make a new dog feel comfortable at such a time?

And any other advice you can give.

Soundtrack · 03-06-2011, 03:56 PM

For a good overview of whelping check out Dog Breeding and Canine Reproduction by Debbie Jensen. Dog Breeding and Whelping guide for dog breeders..
Gestation is only nine weeks, so she can't have been pregnant for three months. You can see the puppies moving in the final 7-10 days. You should start now taking her temperature twice a day. *Normally* you should see puppies within 24 hours of the temp dropping sharply and staying down, if she goes longer than that it's best to talk to the vet. Intermittent contractions for more than 2 hours or hard contractions for more than 30 minutes without a puppy means see the vet. Personally, I would rather go to the vet on a false alarm than risk losing a pup.
What would be best is to contact your local basset club and/or rescue, or failing that your local kennel club, explain the situation and see if there is someone experienced with whelping to guide you through it. I had an experienced breeder on hand for my first and their help was invaluable, especially when I had a pup that needed to be revived.

Elvismom · 03-06-2011, 05:32 PM

Thanks, Miriam. I am hoping to find someone who has been through this to help me out. I'll also feel better after I can get her to the vet on Tuesday. The article you cited looks good - thanks for posting it.

jaleely · 03-06-2011, 06:45 PM

Hope she lasts until tuesday, if she's that pregnant! : ) watch out for the "get ready they're coming" signs!! (and good of you to take her, btw)

5bassetbakery · 03-06-2011, 06:46 PM

God Bless U ELVISMOM,

Thank u for helping this poor basset in need. Horrible outcome has been prevented by u.
This was somewhat a similar situation for us 6.5yrs. ago. We rescued our Flash and didn't know at the time she was pregnant. Now we have 3 or her kids and one we rescued from Illinois.
It was a 1st time pregnancy for us too. I remember making her nesting home in our spare oversized bathroom with cardboard. Alot of old blankets, towels, taking her temp, making sure momma was well fed & watered. It took Flash about 8hrs to have 7 pups. 2 did not make it. Flash did all the work. I am sure nature will take over for Maisy also. I do remember my vet telling me to feed her some cottage cheese. Good Luck. keep us posted.

Soundtrack · 03-06-2011, 07:14 PM

One thing to remember with Bassets is they will often lie on and crush/suffocate the pups. My girls are never left alone the week before whelping and at least three weeks afterward - they are supervised by me or a friend the whole time. I've lost a pup in as little as fifteen minutes.

mhvonalmen8908 · 03-06-2011, 11:57 PM

She's very pregnant! God bless you indeed for taking her in. I've never ever experienced a birth so I've got nothing to offer on that front except to say, "Good luck!"

Kirska · 03-07-2011, 02:07 PM

Thanks for helping her out. My suggestion is to start looking for owners for puppies as soon as they are born, though obviously not releasing them til they are ready at 8 weeks or whatever you decide. It is much harder to adopt out mutts after they're out of the tiny adorable stage.

Elvismom · 03-07-2011, 02:26 PM

Maisy, our mama, appears to be giving birth this afternoon. I confess that I am relieved she's doing it with the woman who got her out of the bad situation. She knows far more about it than I do.

Now I am praying that the pups & mom are all OK.

klm42005 · 03-10-2011, 04:37 PM

This may be just me....The BF would have had to go......not my dog...people should have to have a psych evaluation before allowing pet ownership...but god bless you and Maisy....what a wonderful story of your kind heart.

03-05-2011, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Elvismom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new mexico Posts: 1,196	Pregnant rescue dog - what should I know? We took in Maisy Because her owner's boyfriend was going to kill her. We're told she got pregnant 3 months ago (fuzzy math, I hope) probably by a chow. I really only know she is a basset & very pregnant. I'm tkaing her to my vet to make sure mom & the pups are healthy etc., but I haven't had a pregnant dog in 25 years and am very, very nervous. What are any red flags I should look for? What supplies should I have on hand? How do I make a new dog feel comfortable at such a time? And any other advice you can give. __________________ Chris Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

03-06-2011, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	For a good overview of whelping check out Dog Breeding and Canine Reproduction by Debbie Jensen. Dog Breeding and Whelping guide for dog breeders.. Gestation is only nine weeks, so she can't have been pregnant for three months. You can see the puppies moving in the final 7-10 days. You should start now taking her temperature twice a day. Normally you should see puppies within 24 hours of the temp dropping sharply and staying down, if she goes longer than that it's best to talk to the vet. Intermittent contractions for more than 2 hours or hard contractions for more than 30 minutes without a puppy means see the vet. Personally, I would rather go to the vet on a false alarm than risk losing a pup. What would be best is to contact your local basset club and/or rescue, or failing that your local kennel club, explain the situation and see if there is someone experienced with whelping to guide you through it. I had an experienced breeder on hand for my first and their help was invaluable, especially when I had a pup that needed to be revived. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

03-06-2011, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elvismom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new mexico Posts: 1,196	Thanks, Miriam. I am hoping to find someone who has been through this to help me out. I'll also feel better after I can get her to the vet on Tuesday. The article you cited looks good - thanks for posting it. __________________ Chris Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

03-06-2011, 07:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	One thing to remember with Bassets is they will often lie on and crush/suffocate the pups. My girls are never left alone the week before whelping and at least three weeks afterward - they are supervised by me or a friend the whole time. I've lost a pup in as little as fifteen minutes. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

03-06-2011, 11:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
mhvonalmen8908 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 671	She's very pregnant! God bless you indeed for taking her in. I've never ever experienced a birth so I've got nothing to offer on that front except to say, "Good luck!" __________________ Megan & Chris -Mom & Dad to Doppler (2 year old Basset/Redbone/Golden mix) and Virga (1 year old Basset)

03-06-2011, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	Hope she lasts until tuesday, if she's that pregnant! : ) watch out for the "get ready they're coming" signs!! (and good of you to take her, btw)

03-06-2011, 06:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
5bassetbakery Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia Posts: 44	God Bless U ELVISMOM, Thank u for helping this poor basset in need. Horrible outcome has been prevented by u. This was somewhat a similar situation for us 6.5yrs. ago. We rescued our Flash and didn't know at the time she was pregnant. Now we have 3 or her kids and one we rescued from Illinois. It was a 1st time pregnancy for us too. I remember making her nesting home in our spare oversized bathroom with cardboard. Alot of old blankets, towels, taking her temp, making sure momma was well fed & watered. It took Flash about 8hrs to have 7 pups. 2 did not make it. Flash did all the work. I am sure nature will take over for Maisy also. I do remember my vet telling me to feed her some cottage cheese. Good Luck. keep us posted.

03-07-2011, 02:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kirska Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 932	Thanks for helping her out. My suggestion is to start looking for owners for puppies as soon as they are born, though obviously not releasing them til they are ready at 8 weeks or whatever you decide. It is much harder to adopt out mutts after they're out of the tiny adorable stage. __________________ Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt "Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

03-07-2011, 02:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Elvismom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new mexico Posts: 1,196	Update!!! Maisy, our mama, appears to be giving birth this afternoon. I confess that I am relieved she's doing it with the woman who got her out of the bad situation. She knows far more about it than I do. Now I am praying that the pups & mom are all OK. __________________ Chris Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

03-10-2011, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
klm42005 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Port Clinton, Ohio Posts: 437	This may be just me....The BF would have had to go......not my dog...people should have to have a psych evaluation before allowing pet ownership...but god bless you and Maisy....what a wonderful story of your kind heart.

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