Regular readers may know that I own a dog-training business while participating in dog shows and breeding bull terriers. As many of you know, Miki, a beloved bull terrier of mine, has been getting ready to have babies!
In the lead-up to the big day, Miki had a veterinarian appointment with Dr. Agnew on Jan. 23. Dr. Agnew performed an ultrasound, checked her GI motility, and checked Miki’s progesterone to make sure she was ready to deliver her puppies. She got the all-clear for her C-section to go ahead as planned on Jan. 26.
On Jan. 25, I was full of anticipation, even in the midst of what was predicted to be the storm of the century. As I happily awaited our newest bull terrier additions, I began writing this article, since the next day would hopefully bring their arrival.
Puppies are an altricial species, meaning they are born slightly underdeveloped. Puppies are blind and deaf with both their eyes and ears closed at birth, are unable to regulate their body temperatures, and do not have full coats of fur. This is why a dog’s gestation period is only roughly 63 days, as opposed to species like horses or cows, whose offspring are born with their eyes open, full coats, and are able to walk almost immediately. Since Miki’s veterinarian advised that it would be safest for these puppies to be born via a C-section at an animal hospital, I have prepared a plastic bin filled with a fleece crate pad and blankets that will contain a heating pad that will keep them warm while I drive home. We also planned on letting the puppies nurse, once Miki comes round from the anesthesia, so I can get them home with full bellies.
At 1:15 p.m. on Jan 26, I welcomed seven healthy, loud, and beautiful bull terrier puppies into the world! I may have briefly passed out when I heard that there were seven puppies and not just the five that I expected, but we love the two little stowaways so much already. There are six boys total and one little girl. Six of them are Colored Bull Terriers, in the form of dark rich brindle coloring, and we have one little white boy whom I am calling Yuki, which is the Japanese word for snow.
Miki did fantastic during the surgery. As of the time of this writing, she is a bit loopy from the anesthesia but is letting the puppies nurse, and boy are they nursing, and she wants to be with them. She is getting oxytocin injections so that her maternal instincts kick in since she gave birth via a cesarean section. As the anesthesia wears off, she will start to clean them exclusively and will stimulate their peeing and pooping process. Right now, I am cleaning the newborn puppies while she recovers. Before leaving the clinic, we, of course, made sure Miki was stable and kept the puppies nice and warm in an incubator, in between two feedings. Newborn puppies nurse about every two hours, and this crew is ravenous. Keeping on top of Miki getting enough food and good nutrition will be a high priority.
The puppies will be sleeping in the whelping box with Miki, and I’ve been gearing up for their first night at home. I’ll be weighing the puppies daily to make sure they are steadily gaining weight. I am relieved that all went well and that everyone is home safe, and I already love the babies so much. Miki and Czar, the puppies’ father, did such a good job! Welcome to the world, little babies; I cannot wait to watch all seven of you grow and thrive!
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
