Drum roll please . . . X-Ray Day!

For those that didn't know, I am in China for work through October 2nd. This meant a friend took Zene to the vet for her pregnancy x-ray on September 28th (Day 56).

Since relocating to Santa Barbara in June, I've struggled find a decent vet. My vet since 2010 is Dr. Williams at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital, but they're not readily accessible. 

X-rays are an invaluable resource when whelping a litter.  This time things didn't go smoothly, the x-ray is low quality and very hard to read. The local vet sees 5 puppies, but I'm not so sure.  Once I return from Hong Kong, I'll decide if a second x-ray is warranted. 

More on "why" I do radiographs on pregnant dogs.

• X-rays are generally done after Day 50+ of gestation, otherwise the skeleton hasn't ossified (calcified) enough to count the babies. 
• You can usually count puppies readily on radiographs, again +/- one puppy. (Count skulls, not spines! Most people count BOTH). Even then, someone can be hiding behind another puppy or along mom's spine. This helps me plan for the whelp and know what to expect. 
• The other advantage is that the skulls can be compared in size to the width of the dam's pelvis (not usually an issue with Vizslas).

I'll post the x-ray when I return to see what you all think! Stay tuned . . .

We're ready! It's Week Eight

Today Zene hit Day 50 of her pregnancy so it is time to set up the whelping box and get everything ready for the arrival of the babies. From past experience Zene loves a very dark "den like" environment to whelp and raise her pups. I have turned the spare bedroom/office into her space, I think she will be very comfortable there for the next few weeks. 

Some of the whelping supplies to keep on hand are as follows:

• Digital thermometer, temperature is taken twice a day from Day 57 onward to help pinpoint the onset of labor (low temp indicates puppies will be arriving soon) and after the whelping to ensure mom does not have a life-threatening infection.
• Absorbent disposable pads for ease of clean up during whelp 
• Disposable gloves 
• Rubbing alcohol 
• Soft receiving cloths to dry off puppy right after birth 
• Aspiration bulb to clean pup's airway if needed 
• Stainless steel locking hemostats to clamp umbilical cord. Stainless steel blunt scissors to cut cord 
• Newborn collars to mark puppies 
• Scale to weigh puppies
• Whelping chart to record time, weight and any special details/markings for each pup's arrival
• Heating discs to keep everyone warm once pups arrive
• List of Emergency Contact #'s 
• Room thermometer with display to help monitor the room temp which needs to be 75-78F once the pups arrive

Additionally, I keep on hand several reference books which I have newbie "whelper helpers" read before the big day to ensure everyone is well-prepared to assist. 

What does temperament mean to you?

Cordie acting as a "therapy dog" during her visit to a friend's 96-year-old father

What does temperament mean to you?

“All puppies are blank slates.” “If you do everything right with your puppy, you’ll have a great adult dog.” “If dogs have behavioral issues, we should blame the handle end of the leash.”  This is a common misconception. The reality is that genetics influence behavior. The truth is that dogs are born with a certain genetic potential that will influence which behavioral traits they display. 

Excellent article on the subject: “It’s all in how they’re raised.” https://paws4udogs.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/its-all-in-how-theyre-raised/

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While not all Vizslas are suitable as "therapy dogs" I am consistently complimented on my Vizslas temperaments (those I own and those I have bred) for being sound/stable and biddable.  I expect lovely sound temperaments from the Seeing Double litter -- following in the footsteps of the 2013 Litter (Cordie's litter) -- and their parents, Zene and Beckett. 

Week Seven (Days 43-49) of Zene's Pregnancy

Development of the Puppies 

• Growth and development of the puppies continues....

Changes and Care Required in the Momma Dog

• Abdomen hair will start shedding 
• Zene will start to look pregnant at this point (she really looks pregnant!)
• Slightly increase both meals (adding in hard boiled egg and cottage cheese)

Breeder's "To Do" List 

• Stop any roughhousing or jumping but continue to offer free running and access to the yard

Zene had a checkup today at our local vet in preparation for her x-ray next Tuesday, 9/27. The vet gave her a glowing health check and could not believe how adorable and friendly she was, and how well she stood for exam (including the dreaded temperature check -- in the rear end). 

Updates to follow! 

Things Vizsla Owners Wish They Had Known Before Getting Their First Vizsla...

About Vizsla ownership, you might have heard, "You will never go to the bathroom alone again"....well, it's true!

Check out the entire article "Things Vizsla Owners Most Wish They Had Known in Advance of Getting Their First Vizsla" (from a poll of VizslaTalk list members).  Link:

http://vcli.net/the-breed/things-v-owners-wish-they-had-known-before-getting-their-first-vizsla/

Pass the remote?

Cutest photo of Zene lounging around on Day 47 ~ pass the remote ;) 

I should point out she is just as active as ever most of the time, she will hunt and chase rabbits all day long if given the opportunity. She is too far along to head to dog beach but I make sure she has lots of walks and outdoor time throughout the day. She loves to have a good romp with her daughter, Cordie and her mom, Csilla.

Zene and Cordie

Zene (left) and daughter, Cordie from the 2013 Beckett/Zene Litter

Week Six (Days 36-42) of Zene's Pregnancy

Development of the Puppies

• Development of skin pigment 
• Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long 
• Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope 

Changes and Care Required in the Momma Dog

• Nipples darken and enlarge 
• Abdomen continues to enlarge 
• Add cottage cheese or hard boiled egg to food daily 
• Increase the amount of food in the extra meal 
• Bitch should start getting used to the whelping box 
• 
  

Breeder "To Do" List

• Assemble whelping box 
• By this time you should be fairly sure that the bitch is pregnant 
• Notify the people on your puppy list, and let them know when you expect delivery

Zene is due on/around October 5th ~ stay tuned :) 

Zene's baby bump - Day 39

Day 39 - 5 weeks and 4 days 

Look at that cute baby bump!

Training tips from The Naughty Dogge

Saying what we mean, and meaning what we say:

There are two parts to this:

First, we must be consistent in our requests. If you ask for a sit, then don't compromise. If you said his name, then expect an ear flick or a look. If we want to be valued in their lives, then our words must have value, for both us and them. Make sure that your requests are actually important enough so that you will follow through. And if it isn't important enough, we tend to call that nagging - and no one appreciates or needs that so don't do it. If it is not important enough to care, then don't say it at all.

And second, your spoken words need to be spoken in a manner that they feel what they mean. If you say 'good dog' would a non-English speaking person know that you were happy and proud? Your words need to have emotional value.

Our dogs might not understand English, but they do understand our Intent. They know if we want it, and if we believe it.

Monique Anstee
The Naughty Dogge
Victoria, BC

Week Five (Days 29-35) of Zene's Pregnancy

Week Five

Some information on canine pregnancy:

At this stage, amniotic fluid in the uterus increases in order to protect the pups around day 32 of gestation, and so you or your vet will no longer be able to detect the presence of puppies by palpating the abdomen. 

From week five onwards, the puppies are much less susceptible to developmental issues and defects. The individual toes begin to form, and claws and whiskers start to grow. Fetuses grow from 18 mm - 30 mm. The foetuses also develop their male or female sexes during this time. The puppies will begin to develop their markings and the skin pigmentation that will eventually determine their color and looks.

The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to look like actual puppies. The leg buds lengthen and develop toes. Your dog's belly will begin to look noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space. With less room for full meals, it's time to think about serving smaller meals more frequently.

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Can you see Zene's baby bump?