old dog preggers...

When my boyfriend and i moved out of his mother's house, we had to give up our 10 year old yellow lab :sad: a close friend of the family is taking care her for us, since our apartment doesn't allow dogs. We were told about a week ago that she is pregnant. :yell: I know that older dogs can have problems w/ being a first time mother but she is to the point where she has milk (i'm guessing that means about a week or 2 away from delivery) so we can't really spay her now. I was curious on what problems she might face during delievery and the raising of her litter. She is the most loving dog in the world and would make a great mother if not for her age.... just trying to figure out as much as i can for her new family to ease their worries....
ps-yes, i understand the importance of spaying we hope to get her "fixed" after this, but it's up to her new family.......

wow, I really don't know what to say. I'm very sorry for this dog.

I guess you're wondering now if you made a good decision in placing her with this family, who neglected to protect her when she was in heat (maybe even encouraged the coupling, you can't know). You must be wondering if they're up to taking care of a large litter of puppies, I mean properly, including vet visits, shots, deworming, etc. Could be pricey.

Would they give her up freely, or for money? If your instincts tell you that things are only going to get worse for her - that they won't spay her or take care of all her other needs - then you need to step in, rehoming her if necessary, and if possible. Did you sign anything when you handed her over? I'd be so mad, I'd sue them for neglact, but it probably wouldn't go anywhere.

I sure wish you'd had her spayed years ago. Why do people keep intact dogs? I see only downsides, especially for the animal.

As for the current situation, they need to find a really good vet to help them through the process, and someone who would be available in the event of an emergency.

i'm not sure why my boyfriend and his mother never got tess(our dog) fixed. I only came into the picture 4 years ago. We gave her to a family who my "mother in law" knew from the church and had been friends w/ for many many years, and i went to school w/ their daughter.
I'm not upset that she is preggers or anything like that, i'm just afraid that something will happen. ok, lemme re-word that, i'm more worried than upset :love: I've only had experience raising kittens and i know that there are some similairies between dogs and cats, i'm not comfy enough knowning that she will be fine.
We trust this family w/ our dog and know that they will do what it takes to make sure she and the babies are fine. I just am curious about the things we need to be worried/prepared for.
Are emerigency kits for peggers cats the same as dogs (hot pad, sucker thing, etc) cuz i have one of those, i just 4get what's in it....(?)

How about we respond with kindness not criticism?



Their best bet would be to have the vet do an xray to make sure all is ok for her. Then have him on standby in case she needs a csection... not all dogs give birth easily. Also the xray will let them know how many pups to expect. That way if say not all are born in a few hours, then they know she's having problems. The vet can also go over what happens if she doesn't want to care for them and what they need to do in that case.

Some times older animals have trouble producing enough milk, so be sure you have some puppy formula on hand. Since she is a first-time mother, she may have trouble giving birth, so she should get a full check-up and ultrasound now, and have the vet on call for when she whelps.

And please please make sure she gets spayed after the pups are weaned, and that all the pups are required to be spayed/neutered by their new families before 7 months of age.

I know this is not your fault and I want to be kind but I am alarmed at the age of the dog. I gather you heard too late for an abortion since that would be what I would be doing - she does not need puppies! Certainly, spaying at that stage is possible but like the pregnancy not without its risks but you might ask the vet which is riskier?

I am so sorry for you and your dog!! Perhaps you can find a way to take her back given what has occurred - and make sure she is spayed!