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Breeding survey/questions/personal experiences....?

blades Apr 22, 2003 04:47 PM

I was just wondering what your personal experiences are with breeding your perticular breeds (name the breed)and a few questions below
Have your bitches ever experienced any type of "morning sickness" or changed eating habits?
If so, what would they eat or how did you get them to eat?
Did you track weight gain in your bitches?
Did this show any type of corolation with number of puppies?
Did you bitches have a temp drop prior to whelping?
If so what type of drop or change?
Did you notice a body change prior to whelping and how?
What "symptoms" did you see prior to whelping? ie. shivering, digging, failure to eat and at what time?
What was your weirdest incident in a bitches pregnancy or whelping?
any other interesting fact or thing that you have noticed..
thanks

Replies (3)

teepee Apr 22, 2003 06:13 PM

Chihuahuas, Silky terrier
Have your bitches ever experienced any type of "morning sickness" or changed eating habits?

I haven't seen any change in eating habits other than they eat more, but all my bitches experience morning sickness in the third and fourth week of pregnancy. I use this as an indication that the breeding took.

If so, what would they eat or how did you get them to eat?

N/A

Did you track weight gain in your bitches?

No

Did this show any type of corolation with number of puppies?

I have had the same bitch look small and have a larger litter than the times she looked large. A lot of this has to do with amniotic fluid amounts as well as the varying size of the placenta. Why such thing vary is beyond me. I know they weigh and size human placentas for research.

Did you bitches have a temp drop prior to whelping?

Not always

If so what type of drop or change?

as low as 97 degrees, with an average of 98-99. This is not an accurate indication of whelping as it can drop days prior(as much as a week)

Did you notice a body change prior to whelping and how?

Belly drops and give a "less" pregnant look exactly one week prior to giving birth. It goes from a tight round belly to a loose hanging belly.

What "symptoms" did you see prior to whelping? ie. shivering, digging, failure to eat and at what time?

These vary. I've had bitches deliver puppies while eating at the food bowl. All the above are symptoms of impending delivery, but the most prevalent is the bitch not wanting to go out to do her business.

What was your weirdest incident in a bitches pregnancy or whelping?

This has happened several times--delivery of one puppy, stopping labor, waiting a week, and delivering the rest. My vet says this is normal. He use to raise dogs and said this has happened to him also.

any other interesting fact or thing that you have noticed..

A one puppy litter sometimes does not activate the milk glands to produce milk.

Deerhounds Apr 24, 2003 01:37 PM

>> I was just wondering what your personal experiences are with breeding your perticular breeds (name the breed)and a few questions below

Scottish Deerhounds

>> Have your bitches ever experienced any type of "morning sickness" or changed eating habits? If so, what would they eat or how did you get them to eat?

Yes, they go off their food at 3-4 weeks or so, I just let them be. I feel it's natural.

>> Did you track weight gain in your bitches? Did this show any type of corolation with number of puppies?

No. N/A

>> Did you bitches have a temp drop prior to whelping?
If so what type of drop or change?

Yes, but it varies a great deal. I don't think this is a very reliable indicator of imminent whelping.

>> Did you notice a body change prior to whelping and how?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

>> What "symptoms" did you see prior to whelping? ie. shivering, digging, failure to eat and at what time?

Shivering and digging are common, but that is RIGHT before labor.

>> What was your weirdest incident in a bitches pregnancy or whelping?
any other interesting fact or thing that you have noticed..
thanks

I don't really have any "weird" incidents to report!
-----
Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/

phborzoi Apr 24, 2003 05:36 PM

Borzoi

Have your bitches ever experienced any type of "morning sickness" or changed eating habits?

YES! Kyra got sick 2 wks into it both times she was bred. No change in eating habits, she's always been a pig..

If so, what would they eat or how did you get them to eat?

No problems getting her to eat, never been LOL. She got anything she wanted, and it included raw liver, eggs, cottage cheese, and raw chicken.

Did you track weight gain in your bitches?

No.

Did you bitches have a temp drop prior to whelping?

Yep, both times.

If so what type of drop or change?

1 degree drop both times, and started whelping within 5 hrs.

Did you notice a body change prior to whelping and how?

Oh yeah, her svelt figure became a WATERMELON!! LOL

What "symptoms" did you see prior to whelping? ie. shivering, digging, failure to eat and at what time?

Digging. That's it. Both times, she was still eating. In fact, first litter, had a friend (sire's owner) out the weekend they were due. She left, cuz Kyra was still pigging out. She had to make the 2.5 hr trip BACK when Kyra went into whelp 3 hrs after inhaling a huge dinner

What was your weirdest incident in a bitches pregnancy or whelping?

Nothing, all been to the norm.
-----
PHBorzoi

Mielikki's Hunt Borzoi
http://www.mielikkishunt.com

Treasure the past, don't mourn it.
A balanced dog has a title on both ends.

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