Missy Gives Birth

I got Missy (Canton Mystic Night) to be a key foundation bitch. She was a recommendation of my breed mentor, Basilio Yap of Canton kennel. While she may be big and not outwardly impressive, she turns out to be one a splendid choice for a foundation bitch.

She gave birth to 3 healthy pups on October 30, 2008 - the natural way. The first black male was delivered without fanfare. At around 11am, the water bag appeared and within less than 10 minutes, the male pup was out. Another 10 minutes later and the pup was already sucking milk from the mom's teats. Missy was very motherly, cleaning her pup and never wanting to let the pup go more than a foot away from her. So the pup stayed with her while she continued on her labor.

An hour later, the next pup was still not forthcoming. I worried a bit as I could feel that her tummy was still heavy with at least 2 puppies. I called up the vet and he prescribed oxytocin, 2 shots at an interval of 15-20 minutes. He also recommended that I remove the first pup despite Missy's light protest so the nursing mother could focus on giving birth to the others. The shots and the separation seemed to work. An hour after the last shot, another water bag appeared. Within minutes, the second pup was delivered. It was a big female, breathing but not squirming as the first. With her bigger size, she must have had difficulty passing through the birth canal. It took about 3 hours for her to learn how to suckle, but she surely made up for lost time by suckling heavily thereafter.

Within less than 15 minutes from the birth of the second pup, the third and last pup was delivered. Delivery was fast and smooth. It was a sable pup, male, small and active. As soon as the last pup was wiped dry and deemed healthy, the whole litter was brought back to the mom to nurse. Despite the delay in the birth of the middle pup, I deemed the whole birthing process as a good one. I do not like caesarian section and the long recovery times it requires from the mom. I want the birthing process to be as natural as possible. I try to limit my intervention to opening the water bag (especially if the prior contractions were very long) and to cutting the umbilical cord.

To Missy, congratulations for being a good, first time mom. To PH HOF Canton Harry Potter, may your kids look and do well as you. And Basilio, thanks for the recommendation and for parting with a prized bitch. I am stubborn most of the time, but I know I should listen to you.