Look at these beauties! I am so proud to have helped create these babies. So I thought I’d do a little case study, which might help someone else along the way. These beautiful standard colour English Bulldogs are owned by a dear friend. If anyone wants her contact details just let me know.
I receive a lots of questions about reproduction, care of the bitch, stud management and the challenges of puppy rearing. So I thought I’d start a blog on my website. That way this information is there for those who need it and are interested.
Anyone who comes to my clinic will tell you two things. If a dog lets me they get kisses and cuddles. Actually a regular client came in with a beautiful, very cute girl recently. His first words were “Don’t kiss this one Emma”. 🤣. You know who you are!
The second is I smell EVERYTHING! People gag, but giving something a sniff can put you on the right track!
A lovely English Bulldog girl who I know well came to stay for a week. She was a maiden bitch who had missed previously. Having her stay was invaluable. Yes we got the timing right with progesterone testing, but we were also able to establish why she mostly likely missed previously and tried a few simple things to rectify the situation.
This girl was happily, playing and charging around the place, but her back end smelt a little off to me.
A thermometer confirmed she was running a slight temperature. Still eating like a horse and happily bouncing around the place.
Using an AI rod and a 10ml syringe I was able to draw of 6ml of “old” blood. This plus antibiotics, prescribed by her vet, brought her temp straight back into the normal range in time for the AI.
Before the AI was carried out the same procedure was done again. Why? Because pouring semen onto pooled/old blood will kill it.
The decision was then made that this girl would be spayed if she missed a second time or showed any sign of infection.
She went home and was absolutely fine, with her mum taking her temp regularly as a precaution.
The results of our weeks work? Four beautiful babies and a happy healthy mum.
TOP TIPS: A tip for girls like this is to get them up on their hind legs a few times a day. This will allow gravity to help expel pooled blood and keep your girl healthy.
MY NUMBER ONE tip is to ALWAYS have a thermometer to hand so that you can check your dog’s temperature. This is not restricted to bitches and reproduction. When I call my vet with any concerns I always have notes including temperature and the time it was taken. It gives your vet more to work with.
So proud of these babies who, like their mum, are healthy and adored.
Note: If you’re ever concerned for your dog’s health please contact your vet immediately.