This morning just before 9 am, I knew things were not going as they should, and I was in the car with Treacle, on the way to the vets. Treacle's first water bags had appeared with a couple gentle strains, and an hour or so later the water bag of the first pup appeared. Unfortunately, after half an hour of straining, the pup did not arrive. Examining her, I could just feel the tail and toes of the pup, it was coming backward, and not far enough yet to be able to give a helping hand. I waited a further half hour, and Treacle did no further straining in that time. Normally, on examining them, it should set things off a bit again, and on examining her, when she strained, I could feel it was not as strong as you would expect. Last time four of her five pups were born backwards, and I must admit she had me a bit worried the time it was taking to have the first pup, but then he came and the rest followed pretty quickly. This time with the first pup coming backwards, she was not to be so lucky, and she had tired, before she could expel him. I rang the vets, and the vet examined her, confirming my findings, and said, "We could opt for oxytocin, and see how it goes, but with her tired and this is only the first pup, I would consider doing a c-section. It's up to you." I had no questions, and said, "C-section it is. She strained just now in that half hour trying to get this pup off, as much as I would expect a bitch to strain for a whole .litter." The c-section went well, unfortunately we lost the pup stuck in her birth canal, but the other three are well. Just picked her and her pups up, and I had not asked sex or colours of the pups, when they rang me up, to tell me how Treacle was, and when to pick her up. So imagine my surprise, after Toby with her last time, the litter was two Blenheims, one ruby and, one black and white pup, to move back the cover of my warm box in the vets to be greeted by predominantly black pups. The one that did not make it was a black and white boy (I think Ernest is a one off). The other three are a predominantly black girl with white to each of her paws, and a bit of white on her chest weighing nearly 8 ounces. The other two are black and tan boys with a bit of white to their chests, with a bit of white on some of their paws, one of the boys, has a white tip to his tail and he is a whopper at 11 1/2 ounces, with his brother not so big, but a big pup for the size of Mum at 10 1/2 ounces. With only three pups, these are going to be mighty spoiled for attention, I'm afraid. Photos are of them just back from the vets, and also a cute bit of footage of them suckling, only a couple hours born. Treacle might look a bit spaced out in the video after her c-section, but she's very taken with her pups and already very attentive to them. She has ten teats, so they are going to be spoiled for choice. Time to sit back and enjoy watching them grow with fingers crossed!
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Last night we had a bit of digging and bedding up from Treacle, and today her demeanour as changed. Not much longer now, I feel. Our youngest just came in excited and asked me to look at some photos she had taken, of what at first she thought was a bit of stick stuck to the side of our home. It is an amazing Buff-tip moth. Treacle has now noticeably slowed up in the last couple days, as her pregnancy gets towards full term. I've been sleeping on the sofa the last couple nights, near the whelping pen, to keep an eye on her, and she is happy to sleep in the whelping pen now, away from the rest of the dogs. Which is a sign things are moving along. She's uncomfortable in the fact that she is now heavily pregnant, but she's yet to show any real signs that she is starting the process of going in to labour, although I would not risk leaving her unattended for any length of time at this stage. Ysobel's abscess is healing well since finding it 13 days ago and leaving a pretty big hole between her shoulder blades after treating with anitbiotics for 5 days. She is now without a dressing on it, as the would is nearly there.
Bertha is now recovered from being spayed and her upset stomach. Bertha and her sister, Sasha will be 3 years old on the 15th July. So an early 3rd Birthday greetings to their two litter brothers Harley and Barnaby. Hope you and your families are well. Got a very nice email yesterday from Judith, for Bella. Bella is from Blottie's litter born March this year, Blottie has nine little Blenheim pups. "Hi Jane Exciting day today - Bella took her first proper swim! She's been off the lead for a few days now at this place and loves watching the other dogs jump in, but this morning she took the plunge herself with a good few feet of doggie paddle. Very proud of her. And typical of such moments, I didn't have the camera to hand! At least she washed those muddy legs! And are those legs long! I think she's favouring her grandad Henry. She's very lean though, and still a picky eater, but happy enough at 6.5Kg earlier this week. Thank you again for this bundle of fun! And sooo looking forward to watching Treacle's progress. Love Judith x" "Hello Judith,
thanks for the update on Bella. Great to see her off the lead, and sounds like she is a chip off the old block. Her mum loves water. Leg length to back length, she certainly looks more miniature Brittany at the moment. It's interesting to see them grow, especially when they fall abroad (Devonshire for fill out), which happens as they approach two years old. Teagol from Blottie's litter has fallen abroad in the last few months and looks a bit less leggy. Thanks again Jane x" Took this bit of video of Treacle resting midday today. I catch one big movement in her tummy, but evenings are when the pups seem to really get on the move. We are having a heat wave at the moment, so having to be careful with Treacle. We have cool flooring (wooden and clay tiles) for her to lie on and fans going to make it more comfortable for her. Jessica is Toby's litter sibling, so Auntie Jessica to Ernest and Lily, and also Auntie to the pups Treacle is carrying. Nearly eight years old and as fit as a flea, even though five years ago, due to an accident, she lost her left hindleg Jessica is home, and as I hoped, just after she came home from the surgery. Promptly hopping in the door and jumping up on the sofa, like nothing had changed. She's been just fine with three legs.
Ysobel's abscess, I first blogged about around a week ago, is healing really well. Sadie and Obi's (who I blogged an update for yesterday) brother, Alfie has had his eye operation for cherry eye. A couple days after leaving us he developed it in one of his eyes, and unfortunately, although could be manipulated back in to position, it would not stay, so it needed to be surgically replaced, "Hi Jane Alfie has had his operation today for his eye and also been castrated. He seems ok just not that keen on the funny hat!! Hopefully his eye settle and be normal again. Looking forward to hearing your news when the puppies arrive. Treacle looks really well. We met up with Obi & Sadie at the weekend. Alfie is big compared to them. They all played really well. Thanks Caroline x" "Hello Caroline,
thanks for letting me know. Hope all is going okay. I got an email from Claire with some photos of them all meeting up. Made me smile. Keep me posted on his progress. Kind regards Jane x" I just read this email from Louise, who had Mason from Ysobel and Reggie's litter 2011 Ysabel's Cavapoo pups have arrived ! "Hi Jane, Hope you don't mind me getting in touch with you after all this time and hope you are well. Just wondered if you still had Contact with any of masons brothers and sisters. Mason has not had the best of health, he had problems with his hip when he was a pup, but thankfully that hasn't shown any signs of returning. He has had on and off for years, stomach problems, he has a really sensitive stomach and went thro a bad patch of passing blood, but that settled with a special food, although still has upset stomach a lot. But more recently had problems with him so took him to the vets today and he has diabetes and is going in for glucose culture tomorrow and put on insulin. Ive done some Google searches on this this evening and a few say some dogs could be genetically prone to it, so was just curious if any of his siblings have suffered. I'm devastated for him, I'm sure he is feeling sorry for himself right now and Thinking why me, bless him, he doesn't seem to have much luck, but the vet thinks we've caught it early so hopefully finding the right insulin amount may be easier than most. Many thanks, Louise Lawford " "Hello Louise, sorry to here about Mason. I've not had any reports of diabetes, but diabetes in dogs has seen a rise with obesity in dogs. Some may be more genetically prone to this condition, and keeping dogs like that at a healthy weight will help them considerably. We have seen a few pups over the years with sensitive stomach issues from this line. Although Ysobel is now 12 years old and is on no medications. She recently was bitten by something, which caused a nasty abscess on her back, and it has amazed me how well it has healed for her age. Mason's Dad, Reggie who is 9 years old, also has no health issues. I also have one of Ysobel's offspring to Reggie, that is now 7 years old, and she has never had any health issues, other than chipping her radius as a pup, due to getting her leg squashed by a door. None of seem have had problems with sensitive stomachs. Have you got any photos of him? Would love to see him. I can put this up on my website, if you want, to see if anyone else comes forward Kind regards Jane" "Thanks for replying Jane, I did see about ysabels, poor thing, but looks to healing well. I had a look thro some of your recent post, wasn't sure if you still had masons sister, Tinkerbell is that her name? Mason was a little overweight, but not massively and the vets were never worried about it, we tried him on a different food last year which was great with his stomach issues but we started to notice he was putting on a bit of weight so changed it again but is now back to a weight he was before, and the vets never flagged about. You could post about it if you like, but you don't have to, I was just curious. Mason is a very cuddly boy and likes to be a lap dog even tho he is a little big to fit but he still tries, with both my daughters been off to uni over past 3 years, coming and going, think it throws him a little, he is quite needed with wanting to be with someone and isn't huge on being left for long, but I put this down to the house changing all the time with the coming being home for a bit then off again and work term time so he gets used to being with me in holidays. I'd like to see any photos you have of Tinkerbell or his other siblings if you have any. Thanks again for replying Louise xx This is Mason this morning, not had any breakfast as off to vets so a little sorry for himself x " "Hello Louise,
thanks for that. I've put it up on the website. If you go back through the blog using the search bar with his siblings names Otis, Tinkerbell, Sadie and Miss Kirkup, will help you find updates and photos for any that I have had. I must admit, with that litter, other than the first year or two, I've not heard that much from them since. You will find some though. I have though had regular updates from some of the pups from litters with the same parents post Mason's litter. I've just realised my Belle is a year older than I thought. I did keep back a pup from that litter, that we called, "Belle." I've attached a photo for you just taken. She's a real sweetheart, super affectionate. Hope all goes well at the vets with Mason. Kind regards Jane" Received a very nice update from Kathy for Saffy, who is from Bumble and Ernest's litter, born last year Just back from the vets. Next year we will hope to breed from Bumble again, most probably with Ernest again. The combination of 5/8 Cavalier, 1/4 Brittany and 1/8 Poodle (miniature) seems to produce a good looking spaniel type with a very soft nature. "Dear Jane I have been following all your blogs about Poundland spaniels. Blottie certainly had a lovely litter - and I hope the forthcoming litter goes well too. Saffy continues to be lovely company - quite a quiet dog , rarely barks and very laid back - amazingly I can leave food on the table and it’s still there when I get back! Amazing - my last cavalier would have woofed the lot! She is also pretty good on the whistle as long as I don’t overuse it! She is still v active when we are walking in the fields and on a mission to catch a swallow, which of course will never happen. I attach a few pictures of her. Thanks again for breeding such a lovely dog. Kathy" Got a lovely update a couple days ago from Claire for Obi and Sadie. They also have met up with their big brother, Alfie. Sadie, Obi and Alfie are from Blottie's litter born in March this year Blottie has nine little Blenheim pups "Hi Jane As a month has flown past since Obi and Sadie joined us, thought you would like a pupdate.... They are both well, still chasing each other around at 100 mph, plenty of 'nibbly faces' and growing rapidly, (especially Obi who is a tinker for stealing food and treats) Sadie seems to be the fussier one, so we have been trying out some new food. We finish first set of training classes on Thursday, they have both done great and the kids have particularly enjoyed learning new tricks with them. We have done a lot of things separately to make sure they have individual time, teaching them walking to heal on-lead especially difficult with two! Their recall is great so they have had fun first trips 'off lead' recently to places much loved by my previous Cavaliers, and they really loved them too. We met with their big brother Alfie and owner Caroline and her children a few days ago for a nice walk in our local woods. Much chasing and paddling followed, they definitely remembered their litter mates! Good luck with Treacles impending birth, and your other new additions Puddin' and Pi, very handsome boys. Best wishes Claire and family" Treacle is now getting over 8 weeks pregnant, and today I caught a bit of video of her taking her midday siesta with the pack. The pups can now be seen moving around inside her, and it is now that although so near, these pups still are so far. Birth is a very precarious process, and it is now that a very watchful eye is needed on a bitch. We are now getting in to the zone, where pups could arrive. Treacle is now 8 weeks since her first mating. Gestation for a dog is around 9 weeks, give or take a day for size of bitch, and size of litter they are carrying. Going from her previous two whelpings, we could have pups here Sunday. Her last litter she was mated from her eighth day of heat, over eight days, and came 62 days from her first mating. A close eye is now being kept on her. Bitches can whelp from 56 days on wards. The pups are moving vigorously now, and can be felt and seen moving. |
“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you,but he will make a fool of himself, too.”
― Samuel Butler Me (Jane) with Puddin' and Teagol, waiting patiently to flush a patch of kale, December 2019
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March 2022
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