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  1. #1
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    Health question on puppy from litter where 60% died at birth

    Hi fellow members. I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this thread, so let me know if otherwise.

    I'm considering getting another pup, male black lab from a reputable breeder. I've researched many in my area over the last nine months since Tanner passed. This breeder has been in business for decades and only has a couple litters per year and has a solid reputation as far as I know. The parents come from a long line of great labs with all the clearances, a lot with show titles, etc.

    My questions is how much of a "potential" or future health concern is there if I get my pup at 8weeks and 60% of the litter died during birth? I know it's not uncommon to lose a couple here and there. In this case there was some issue with the mother's uterus and many of the pups could not be brought to breathing when they were born. A couple were born normally and a couple were born through C-section, the remainder didn't make it.

    The few that survived seemed normal to me as I just saw them at 7wks old. Although I must say they were very mellow. The boy I was looking at did bounce around and play with my adult lab and try and chew my fingers, etc. like a normal pup...He was nursed normally and is eating regular food at this point.

    Any breeders out there have any input or think there may be future health concerns? BTW the female is not being bred again and she is 5 1/2 years old.

    Thanks - Bob
    Griffin growing up!

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  2. #2
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Typically, pups that die when they are born are usually lost due to problems in whelping, not due to the "health" of the pup. If one pup was large and got caught in the birth canal and the breeder didn't get help right away, the subsequent pups ready for birth can detach from the placenta and die because there is a block and they can't get out. And since you said some were born natural and some via C-section, that's most likely what happened. Nothing to do with the health of the pup.

    So as long as the clearances on the parents were done and otherwise, you are happy with the breeder, I wouldn't let how the birth happened change my mind.

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  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    Typically, pups that die when they are born are usually lost due to problems in whelping, not due to the "health" of the pup. If one pup was large and got caught in the birth canal and the breeder didn't get help right away, the subsequent pups ready for birth can detach from the placenta and die because there is a block and they can't get out. And since you said some were born natural and some via C-section, that's most likely what happened. Nothing to do with the health of the pup.

    So as long as the clearances on the parents were done and otherwise, you are happy with the breeder, I wouldn't let how the birth happened change my mind.
    When my two pups were born, Chloe was actually carrying 5. She never went into labor and attempts at induction failed, so we ended up with an emergency C-section, and it was too late for three of the pups. Sassy needed to be resuscitated but Cooke was “born screaming”. Both are perfectly healthy (aside from a soft-tissue injury from rough play) at 9 months. If the problem was with the mother, then the pups should be fine, although in the event any of them would be bred, there might be cause for concern as to whether they would have complications whelping as well.
    Annette

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    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

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  6. #4
    House Broken piccadilly's Avatar
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    Wouldn't worry me at all. If you had said puppies dies AFTER being born, I might raise an eyebrow, but most deaths at birth aren't due to the health of the baby.

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  8. #5
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    Thank you all. I think I'm picking him up on Thursday and will keep you posted....It's so hard to move forward as I keep wavering between my lost boy and the new pup...I need to accept that Tan is gone...
    Griffin growing up!

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    Griffin Male Black Lab 03/14/16 -

    Yukon My Wonderful Yellow Lab 11/20/06 - 03/12/19 Will cherish the memories!!!!
    My Precious Tanner Boy 11/25/02 - 6/25/15 Will miss you always!!!!

  9. #6
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by outrag View Post
    Thank you all. I think I'm picking him up on Thursday and will keep you posted....It's so hard to move forward as I keep wavering between my lost boy and the new pup...I need to accept that Tan is gone...
    Oh gosh, I remember this feeling well as the day approached to pick up Maxx. I had to finally accept my Ozzy was gone and not coming back. I had never had this issue with previous dogs I had lost. I had terribly overwhelming feelings of disloyalty to Ozzy. When we finally got to the breeders and she put that gorgeous boy in my arms, I cried like a baby. Probably a mixture of sad tears, finally letting go of Ozzy and joy for the precious new life I had in my arms. Looking back I wonder if it was in the sudden loss and how young Ozzy was that caused such crazy mixed up emotions. As much as I wanted to move on I was so angry at what had happened and just so damn sad. I can't tell you how happy I am that Maxx came home with me. Not only is he an amazing boy, I couldn't ask for anything more but he helped to heal my heart. He is a great dog, the best really and I am beyond blessed to have him.
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  11. #7
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by outrag View Post
    Thank you all. I think I'm picking him up on Thursday and will keep you posted....It's so hard to move forward as I keep wavering between my lost boy and the new pup...I need to accept that Tan is gone...
    Tanner sounds like he was a terrific boy, smart, loyal, and loving. He will always be in your heart, with all the memories, no puppy can replace that. If he was as intuitive as many of our pups are and could sense your moods, you know he wants you to be happy. Whether you're ready now or feel like you have to wait a little longer, it's not disloyal to Tanner's memory to get a new pup. Tanner taught you a lot about life and the love of a good dog. I see it as honoring the memory of those that have gone before when someone needs to have another dog in their life. We look forward to taking the journey with you.

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  13. #8
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I don't know, I loved my two that have passed, but unfortunately with dogs, you are lucky if you get 13-15 years out of them. They just aren't with us that long. Getting a new pup isn't dishonoring the memory of the dogs that have gone, it's just sharing your love with MORE animals. We lost 2 in 2014 and waited nearly a year before we got a new puppy (well, we got 2)...but we also still have 4 in the house. Even if we were sad and missed the passed dogs (they WERE our first labs...), the dogs we still had demanded time and life keeps moving you forward....

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  15. #9
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    I know how hard it is to deal with the loss of a much loved dog. It's crushing, and honestly you really never, ever completely get over it. Time helps ease the pain, but the memories still live on with you.

    I've never felt getting a new dog was a dishonor to the ones I've lost. I feel just the opposite. I know I give my dogs the best home they could possibly have, and I feel my departed dogs would proud to know I brought in a new dog, not as a replacement, as none of them can be replaced. They would be proud and happy that the new dog got to have the same great home, and all the love and care they were able to enjoy when they were with me.

    I pretty sure the nine Labs I've had pass over the Bridge look down and smile on Sophie knowing how great she has it. And they will be just as happy when the next puppy comes along!!!!!!!

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  17. #10
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I had a very rough time last year after losing Roxy to anaphylactic shock (black widow most likely) when her babies were only 1 wk old. I had lost 5 of 11 puppies in that litter also btw... they were born too early. I had a litter of 12 in early Jan born equally early, and got lucky... all 12 were just fine despite not being fully "baked" (lacked some hair on legs/ muzzles etc). It can go either way.

    Anyhow, Ruby is a clone of her mom, both looks and goofy temperament-wise. It was so bad I found myself calling her Roxy half the time, then I'd feel bad about it. Finally I can say it's getting easier. And in this case, I"m really glad Ruby IS so much like her mom as it makes that loss a little more bearable. Anne

    All 6 surviving pups are extremely healthy and normal btw, so please don't let a birthing loss worry you. Anne
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