Breeding Chihuahuas can be a rewarding experience. More often than not there are complications that can also be a part of this experience. Knowing what may happen when your Chihuahua whelps is only one step in the process of becoming an educated breeder. This is a documentation of an actual Caesarian section that was performed on a healthy female long coat Chihuahua. Some of the pictures are very graphic in nature. This article is not for the squeamish but it is a must for anyone that wants to breed Chihuahuas. Use your own judgment when viewing this article.

Sometimes even a well thought out breeding can have unseen complications. Females that you are sure will whelp naturally don't ! Those that you are sure will need a c section surprise you with a free whelped litter of 5 ! This is one experience... 

Lyric , at almost 5 1/2 lbs seemed the ideal female for a free whelper. She has good pelvic size and shape , nice length of body . On November 20th she went into labor. By my visual calculations this was 5 days early. I had opted not to do an ovulation test to pinpoint exactly when ovulation occurred. Sometimes that test can be a stress reducer for the owner, provided you have a veterinarian that does that type of testing.

The labor seemed to be progressing to heavy labor and after an hour and no puppy or puppy presence at the birth canal area , I packed Lyric up and headed for the vet's ! 

 

At the vet's office Lyric was palpated and her temperature checked . The vet decided to digitally check for cervical dilation. He then inserted a gloved finger intothe vagina to check for dilation and the presence of a puppy at the outer rim of the pelvis. Lyric was definitely dilated but there was no puppy at the pelvic rim and a c section was then the option. 

Lyric's front leg was shaved for the insertion of an Intravenous line. Next she was given a mild sedative to relax her for the insertion of a tracheal tube that would dispense her anesthesia gas. 

Lyric was then placed on her back and her legs tied to the 4 corners of the operating table. A vet tech then shaved  and washed her abdominal area. She was then covered with a sterile drape with an opening for her stomach.
the surgeon was ready to make the first incision.
Depending upon the skill of the surgeon, an uncomplicated  c-section should take 35 minutes or less from the time of the first incision to the closing stitch. Things happen very quickly and the survival of the bitch and pups depends on getting them out as quickly as possible. This next picture shows the surgeon placing the uterus outside the body cavity so that they may make another incision in the uterus itself.

The uterus is engorged with blood and is very large . The pups are clearly visible in outline.

The incision is made in the uterus and you can clearly see the head of this puppy. The vet will push the puppy out similar to squeezing a tube of toothpaste, that way the incision is kept to a smaller size It is similar to the pups moving thru to the birth canal. The vet will quickly pull the pup and it's placenta out of the uterus opening and clamp the umbilical cord then snip it from the placenta. The pup is then handed to the owner or vet tech that is waiting with a warm towel so that they may rub the puppy to dry and stimulate him to breathe.

The puppy is dried off and a form of CPR is used to get the puppy to breathe on it's own. Sometimes, depending on the type of anesthesia used, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. first make sure the airway is cleared. The vet will usually have an infant's ear bulb syringe that is used to evacuate the excess mucus in the nose and throat. Applying slight pressure ( just enough to feel the chest give  a bit ) to the chest with one or two fingers at one to two second intervals will stimulate breathing and the heart to pump. Some pups are more sensitive to the anesthesia and may need additional medication to facilitate  breathing. The vet or the technician will assess this situation for you and decide the treatment.  Usually a small amount of dopram under the tongue does the trick. 

Occasionally extra oxygen is needed to aid the pup's breathing and the photo below illustrates how this can be done. It is amazing how rapidly the pups "pink up" and respond. Notice the difference in this photo and the previous photo. The best sound to hear is that pup's first cry and then you know that they have arrived into the living world.
While the pups are being worked on the vet and his assistant are busy stitching the uterus and using a saline rinse along with closing the incision. 

Soon after the bitch is awake her pups should be "asking" for their mother. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed for the mother, depending on the situation. Pain medication may also be necessary. Some Vets do not give pain medication on a routine basis . It is this breeder's opinion that some females cannot function as new mother after a section without pain control. If you think your bitch is in pain, you may have to ask your vet what they recommend for pain medications.  Click Here for pain management information.

 A new mother should never be left alone for at least 72 hours following a c- section. Too many things can happen to her and the pups and she should be monitored for any aggressive behavior towards her newborns. A good rule of thumb is that a "quiet litter" is a well cared for litter. Puppies will cry usually for one of three reasons; they are hungry , cold or they have to be stimulated to eliminate waste. If the mother is taking care of these things you will have that "quiet litter". Sometimes a bitch is in pain or very tired and may not do these things at first. If this is the case,  you may have to supplement , make sure they are warm and use a slightly wet cotton ball rubbed in the areas to stimulate urine and feces.

Breeding dogs is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. There are so many things one must consider before bringing new lives into the world. In this breed c-sections are only one of the possibilities of what may happen once you decide to breed. Please be aware that this is a heavily exploited breed and if you are breeding just to make "puppies for relatives" your bitch can die from this procedure due to  various complications. Newborns can have genetic problems and may need to remain with you the rest of your life. Also know that there are many lovely Chihuahuas waiting for forever homes that are just as loving . Remember you are responsible for the lives of the dogs that you decide to breed. 

Gloria Lambert 

 

 

 

 

 

My Chihuahua is Pregnant !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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