PUPPY WATCH !!!!

Umm .... We're on PUPPY WATCH!!!!!!

http://www.sympashelties.com:8081

webcam above

Temperatures

This is going to be updated daily, in the evening ...

Tuesday Jan 26 pm = 100.2
Wednesday Jan 27 pm = 100.6
Thurs Jan 28 AM = 99.3 !! Will have to retake this temp this afternoon just in case Im reading the temp of stool or something else. Afternoon = 99.5. PM = 100.7
Fri Jan 29 AM = 99.9 ; PM = 100.1
Sat Jan 30 AM = 100.2 ; PM = 99.9
Sun Jan 31 AM = 100.2 ..... PM = 101.2 ... SPIKE!!!!!
Mon Feb 1 =
Tues Feb 2 (DUE DATE) =

Update (End of January - almost there!)

Well, we're still waiting. Her temp has been pretty steady the past day or so. She still ate breakfast this morning, but does seem 'different' today. Not quite sure how to explain it, so I will be watching her closely today.

I took a couple pics of her today, as well --- will upload those here later today probably.

Also took some new measurements - are you ready for this?? :)
Waist, pre-pregnancy=19inches ; today=24inches
Rib cage (up front, just behind shoulders), pre-pregnancy=21inches ; today=25inches
Rib cage (end), didnt take it pre-pregnancy (oops! But it was very very similar to her waist) ; today=25.5 inches!

Will have to wait for a little help to get her current weight b/c I cant read the scale while I'm holding her, but will update that later too.

Just going to have a calm day at home, will do some homework and keep everything relaxed around here :)

Quick Update

Kylee has mostly gone off of her food again. She had been slowing down eating the past several days, but I havent gotten her to eat any kibble is probably 24 hours ...

She will eat milkbones still (of course!) and ate some cottage cheese. Hubby's going to reheat some leftovers and I'm guessing she will get some of that too (its healthy) :)

The pups are moving around like crazy now, even Derrick mentioned it.

Theres a new post called "Temperature" that will be updated every evening and then reposted for that date.

Wireless webcam is still in transit somewhere - hurry up and get here!!

A new feel ...

After Ky woke me up at 3am to let her out, she came back up onto the bed and laid on my pillow, right smack dab against my face. It took me some time to fall back asleep, but while waiting it was so cool .... I could feel puppy movement right up against my face, she was already sleeping so I didnt want to move and feel with my hands for a bigger surface area feel, all I had was my cheek and a little bit by my temple to feel the movement - but they're in there :)

yay!

Daily Happenings ....

Well, I know its only been a day since I posted, but its a Friday and I'm just relaxing at home before studying for a quiz I have on Monday... Thought I'd take a minute and make a couple little notes about how things are going in general.

Kylee is starting to eat slower, but still shows interest in food. Today, shes been panting a little extra, not sure if its a temperature thing for the house being warm, pain, or stress. We have a couple house guests here for the weekend, but the guests are seperated from my guys all the time now. But, as I type this, Im stretched out on my bed, tv on, ex pen set up so me and my guys get the bedroom and computer room access & hubby is in the living room with the guests... And, shes on the bed panting, when none of the other dogs are. Heat flashes? Stress? She's doing fine otherwise.

As far as the other dogs .... My Tigger is doing well since being on thyroid medication. His temperament has improved, he is a bit more active, but still needs a lose a couple pounds. He is also less itchy - that is what we wanted to achieve the most! Belle, my old girl, is doing well, shes just a cuddler and gets jealous of the 'puppy' (Ky) getting all the attn lately.

I won a wireless webcam on ebay today, so can't wait for that to arrive to set up. That way, I can have my laptop at school or wherever with me, but the webcam will still work. Might take hubby a day or so to get it set up (comes with its own software and stuff to put it on the net) once it arrives in 2-9 days. Its coming from Utah, so hopefully it wont be on the long end of that range.

Otherwise, "its all good" here with the Sympa Shelties :)

What Do You See ???

Can you tell what the number is??? Well, I can tell you it's an odd number ;)

What - thats not good enough ???

Ok, well, she has less than Belle had in 2003 ....

The answer ---- Those who guessed FIVE were correct :)

LET THE COUNT DOWN BEGIN!!

Forgot I said I'd add the other details...
Pre-pregnancy weight ~19 pounds. Today 25.3
Pre-pregnancy rib cage measurement : 21 inches. Today : 24
Pre-pregnancy abdomen measurement : 19 inches. Today : 23

PUPPIES ANTICIPATION

Just measured my little girl .... Her rib cage measurement is now at 23 inches (up 2 inches since pre-pregnancy) and her waist is still 21 (also up 2 since pre-pregnancy). Her abdomen is very tight and firm. She is eating wonderfully now (still), and keeping everything down.

She is a crazy lick-maniac now, too. I swear, she'd lick my hand or hubbys "pricklies" for hours and hours if we'd let her. She barely slows down, only when her eyes start to close and she starts to fall asleep :)

She is also beginning to thin out her fur on her abdomen, also.

Otherwise, she is her same (new) cuddly self, and wants to take your finger off if you offer her a Milkbone, lol.

Her appt is made for her "count" xray - next Thurs the 21st at 2:30 -- will post results later that day :)

PUPPIES ANTICIPATION

Kylee is doing wonderful since her vet visit. She is eating only solid food - and keeping it down! YAY! Where we are as far as development goes:
~ This week we should be able to start feeling the puppies move around.
~ She will begin to groom herself a lot (she has done this basically all throughout the past couple weeks, so thats nothing new)
~ Late next week we will do a xray to verify the number of puppies

She has gained about 2 pounds since pre-pregnancy weight, and added 1-2 inches for both her rib cage and waist/abdomen !

Here is a picture from the snow we had last week -

Are you concerned I radiographed Kylee ?

While I do appreciate the concern for Kylee's unborn puppies, I felt it beneficial to radiograph her in order to prove to myself she did not eat something she should not have - it's not like I had her radiographed for hours over and over. Afterall, my girl would vomit undigested food (and treats) within an hour of eating it, and I had not seen her poop recently. She was not keeping even small pieces down, this was alarming. I had to consider her care 1st, and the risks to the pups 2nd. While the radiographs showed the things stated previously (enlarged uterus), what I neglected to mention [on this blog] was that my girl was also literally FULL of poop, but no true obstruction concern. Thankfully, after then a rectal exam, she did come home and has begun to poop normally. Clearing that fecal matter out has also allowed me to feed her a few tablespoons at a time (for now over 12 hours) and keep that down for her!!

I went looking for resources which claim little/no side effects of radiation on the late stage development (after 30 days) and found many interesting articles. It seems as though, the main reason radiographs are not used prior to day 45 is because even though all the organs have formed, there is no calcification or skeletal marks of any kind to distinguish fetus from fluid. If you can find resources that state effects otherwise, please cite them.
I even emailed a veterinarian at Louisiana State University who teaches a portion of the canine/feline reproductive classes... Below is our correspondence:

From: shelteak@aol.com [mailto:shelteak@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 10:29 AM
To: Bruce E Eilts
Subject: Radiographs During Gestation - not covered on website

Mr. Eilts,

I found this website ( http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/eiltslotus/Theriogenology-5361/ultrasound.htm ) very useful, however I am trying to find information (studies, cases, etc) on radiographing a (potentially) pregnant canine prior to the 45 days; say radiographs are done day 38. Does this create a problem during end-stage development? Could it cause fetal mortality?

I would greatly appreciate any information you may have on this instance.

Thank you

Kelly Clark
Sympa Shelties

His reply:

Probably not, as organogensesis has already occurred, however minimal x-ray exposure is always recommended. Beagle bitches exposed to much higher than normal x-rays had a greater chance of neoplasia or hematopoetic alterations.

Dr. Bruce Eilts

In addition to that, I also have the following interesting website citations (from good sources):

"Use of Radiography:

Radiographs of fetal developement are useful starting with Day 31 to 38 after the LH peak. The fuetus are seen as spherical enlargements in the uterus. These can be manually palpated between Days 25 and 30 after the LH peak. After approximately 35 days, the fetus elongates beyond the width of the placenta, resulting in a diffusely enlarged uterus in most bitches, and making identification of individual fetuses by palpation of radiography difficult. Elements of fetal skeletons can be first deteched radiographically 42 to 52 days after mating, or44 to 47 days after the LH peak. By days 58 to 61, ribs and pelvis can be clearly identified. There are several signals that warn of fetal death which can be deteched radiographically. These are:failure of the uterus to continue to enlarge between 28 to 44 days gestation: gas in the body cavities, around the heart of major vessel; collapse of the fetal skeleton; lack of fetal growth, or demineralization of the skeleton."

http://cynologist.com/index.php/anatomy-of-dog/breeding-pregnancy-and-puppy-viability

"Radiography

(please also refer to Table 1 where it says uterine swelling visible on x-ray 23-35days after mating & diagnosis days 39-50) ...
Radiographic imaging (X-ray) of the abdomen is most accurate for determining pregnancy during the last trimester (43 to 63 days after ovulation). After 42 days, the fetal skulls and spines are visible on radiographs. As pregnancy advances, the bones of the front legs become visible, followed by the bones of the rear legs, the pelvis and the ribs. Finally, the fetal teeth become visible around 56 to 61 days after ovulation.

Prior to 40 days, the enlarging uterus may be visible on radiographs, but it may appear very much like the surrounding intestines. The contents of the pregnant uterus may be difficult to distinguish from an abnormal non-pregnant uterus before fetal skeletons develop. The physical and medical condition of the bitch will help to identify a diseased or a healthy pregnant uterus."

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G9923

PUPPIES ANTICIPATION

I was too exhausted to type this all out yesterday, but Wednesday pm thru Thursday am, Kylee was vomiting up her food (no bile), but even small meals would not stay down. With the snow storm we had (coming, at the time) I decided to get her into the vets just to make sure she was alright, before I wouldnt be able to get there with the roads. So, naturally, our wonderful veterinary clinic (Pennsylvania Veterinary Care) worked us in.

Exam-wise, she was normal (has gained 2 pounds since being bred!), but the vet could definately feel "something" in there. We opted for xrays (knowing it was too early to count the number of pups, since their skeletons havent formed yet).

Kylee's uterus was HUGE, even the vet was a bit surprised by it. Both horns of the uterus are expanded, as well. Poor girl has everything pushed up against her rib cage, and is almost bursting at the sides.

Plan of action: very very very small frequent meals, and make sure she is drinking (she was not dehydrated). So, after finally (yup, the storm had moved in!) getting home a little after 6pm, I fed her only 3 teaspoons of canned I/D and a few kibbles sprinkled on top. We repeated this at 830, and again at 1030 and midnight.

I'm awake (darn insomnia!) right now, but the dogs & hubby are zonked. Once they start waking up for the morning, we will resume the feeding every 2-3 hours.

So, I'm just a worry wort and my girl is full to the brim with "something" ;) We will re-xray either end of next weekend or the beginning of the following week to get an actual count, and check sizes.

PUPPIES ANTICIPATION ... Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes :)

Kylee is eating kibble again, has been for a couple of days now. After our LONG search, I found a brand that has extremely tiny kibble that hides well, and when she does "find" kibble, she is willing to crunch on it :) THANK YOU to NutriSource!!

She used to have a favorite spot to nap - under the couch. And I think today she realized she can not fit under there anymore. I just caught her laying right next to it with only her head under it. Poor girl looked sad when she looked at me, almost as if she was saying "Mom, I'm getting fat".

Her abdomen feels firm all of the time now, too. There is very little 'give' to it anymore. The stud's owner told me to check for a discharge around week 5 - in her past, if there was discharge, there was for sure a pregnancy. Well, I'd venture to say theres something going on - the other dogs are very interested in sniffing her, and she has been cleaning herself a lot more than the past month.

We're down the the final drive - the final 4 weeks now, lots will be changing now... Soon will be able to feel puppies moving, mammory glands will swell a little, and becoming restless or trying to find a whelping spot will start over the next few weeks...

Which reminds me, before I switched to NutriSource puppy kibble (with wet/canned food), she had eaten all the food she wanted for the time being, and Belle had wandered into the whelping box to finish it all up, but Ky actually chased Belle out of there barking at her! Wow! Belle was even surprised!

(edited to add pictures)
Presenting the Sympa Shelties "Dog Room" - this is where the puppies will be whelped and raised during their first week or two of life, then the dog pen will be moved into our living room (which opens into the dining room and kitchen). The dog room, however, is the warmest most secure room in the house for actual whelping :)

Ky Update

Well, I havent posted much the past few days (almost a week) b/c nothing much has really changed...

She still doesnt want the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, applesauce, cheese, etc...

She is off of kibble completely - Ive tried Canine Caviar, Prairie, Earthborne, Wellness, Merrick Grannys Puppy Blend, Eukanuba, & Innova -- none have any appeal to her... Well, until she got ahold of Belle's J/D kibble!! I've gotta find something else for her besides the Cesar wet and J/D.
The wet food is given to her twice a day with the dry kibble available all day for her to munch on.

She gets very tired easily, sleeps a lot, and feels as though shes gained some weight and widened in her chest again.

That's about where we are :)