Here is our "lucky 13" all packed up and ready to leave the Vet Office and go home.
Well. it was "labor" day here in another sense--Gracie delivered us 13 puppies this morning by C-section. We have 7 Males and 6 females--all fawns. The total weight of all the puppies was 22.9 lbs--that's a lot of puppies!!
Momma Gracie is doing just great--stretched out snoozing in the living room. Once we got home we did out first feeding--All the puppies nursed just great and Gracie is going to be a wonderful mother (Thank Goodness!). I also gave each puppy their first bottle feeding--and they all ate like little pigs!
It has been a stressful 48 hours--Gracie was been restless and showing early signs of labor. I didn't want to take her in too early for her c-section--so the plan I had worked out with my vet was to wait until I felt certain she was in labor. We had a c-section scheduled for Tuesday--but Gracie had her own time table. Puppies just don't wait.
Between 500am and 900AM, Gracie began to leak ammiontic fluid--and I then knew she was in labor. A call was placed to my Vet--and our c-section was moved up and scheduled.
A huge thank you to Dr. Tom Wallrichs DVM and all his wonderful staff for a job well done and beyond the call of duty. They all came in on their Holiday to make sure Gracie had a safe delivery--and we had a litter of healthy puppies. The entire procedure moved like a well oiled machine.
Tom and his partner (Wellborn) have been my Vets for over 10 years--and I love them all at The Animal Hospital of East Burke. It has been essential to the well being of my dogs to have a vet who will work with me. For me. they are the standard of care I hold and compare all other vets. All You guys are the best.
So this Labor day I am very thankful to have my girl here with her 13 puppies safe and well.
Catie Arney
kiokeemastiffs@embarqmail.com
