We have had a very busy few months here at Lynkez.
Firstly, Maggie conceived unexpectedly at the the very end of her season. We didn't even think the mating would be successful, but she surprised us with a single pup Romeo!
All progressed well and Romeo now has a home.
After considerable thought, we allowed Sasha, from our first litter, to be mated with a red/fawn short hair male.
As this was her first litter we monitored her health and gestation with more scrutiny and vigour than normal. After examination at one of the many vet checks, we determined at least two but possibly three pups were felt.
We watched Sasha's belly expand and grow until it almost dragged along the floor. Then one night at about 9.00pm she began to show signs of early labour onset. We monitored her and settled in for a long sleepless night. At 3.30am her strong labour began but at 4.00am all she had birthed was a small fluid filled sac. Worried that the pups may be too large for her to birth naturally we rushed her to the after hours vet surgery.
The on-call vet examined Sasha and carried out an ultrasound which showed one puppy in the birth canal. We were asked if we wanted to wait a bit longer or carry out a cesarean. Whilst we were discussing the options with the vet, her assistant rushed in shouting a puppy was being born. A few mins later we heard a roar 'It's a girl!" We were so relieved.
The on-call vet examined mum and pup and said we were safe to take them home. We were instructed to monitor each birth and to go back if there were any further problems. We settled Sasha and her pup in her whelping basket and over the next few hours she successfully birthed another three pups making the total of four pups, quite a large litter for a first timer. The third pup born however was born with a deformed tail sparking fresh concerns.
At the post birth vet check later that morning and after fully examining mum and pups, we were told by our vet that Stumpy's tail bones had not grown correctly in utero and had fused together forming a "Bulldog Tail". The deformity, therefore, a birth defect caused in utero not genetic or through any fault of our own. We breathed a sigh of relief but have continued to monitor his progress. The pups are now four weeks old, Stumpy's shortened tail has not hindered him in any way. He is such a sweet loving pup who plays, runs and bounces like his siblings. We know there is a very special parent out there who would love him for who he is not what he looks like.