The Easy Riders are here!

Introducing --- The Easy Riders

White Girl, 12.8 oz -- "Opel"  

Green Girl, 11.9 oz -- "Harley"

Blue Boy, 13.1 oz -- "Ace" (no collar, light color)

Pink Girl, 8.9 oz -- "Indie" aka Indian 

Maroon Boy, 12.1 oz -- "Ben" aka Benelli (no collar)

Gold Girl, 11.8 oz -- "Ariel"

Lyra whelped four girls and two boys between 9am - 2pm today.  She did great for her first litter and is a wonderful mother, I am so proud of her.  Everyone is happy and healthy and hungry!  I am so pleased.

Puppy Cam up later this week - check out their puppy photo album in the meantime: http://karenlake.smugmug.com/Moonlight-Vizslas/2015-Baci-x-Lyra-Litter/i-CMQZjW8

Week 9 of Lyra's Pregnancy

Week 9 

In the final week -- the mother dog will looking for a quiet place to make her "nest" -- not to worry Lyra, I've set up the spare bedroom at the far end of the house (away from any excitement) with the whelping box in preparation for the Easy Riders. 

In the final "days" before whelping, Lyra's body shape changes. Her vulva, in particular will dilate and the pelvic ligaments will relax so that the puppies have enough room to pass through.  By instinct Lyra has gone into her crate (a quiet place) and often a mother dog will seem on edge, somewhat restless. This is normal and expected. I have noticed she does not seem to be able to get comfortable.  

I have been taking Lyra's rectal temperature three times a day. A drop of around one degree (and down to 97-98F) as compared to the average of the previous days occurs within a few hours, 24 or 48 hours, prior to whelping.

The prettiest Momma to be

Beautiful Lyra on Day 60

Week 8 of Lyra's Pregnancy

Week Eight

As the next few days and progresses, I will ensure Lyra avoids any rough and tumble play or stimulation which might lead to the onset of early labor.  She can still go on our daily runs as she needs muscle tone and stamina for the upcoming whelp.  Lyra has shown some signs of "nesting" at this stage in her pregnancy, and I can see and feel the puppies moving within her tummy when she's lying down.

The puppies will continue to grow and develop, and now look almost completely fully formed. We've already done the x-ray which enables me to plan for the number of babies she is expecting and helps reassure me that no puppies have remained stuck. In the last trimester, the x-ray is not damaging to the health of the dam or her puppies.

Towards the end of Week 8/beginning of Week 9, Lyra will start producing colostrum, the forerunner to her nutrient- rich milk, and then the milk itself. I will continue to feed her as much as she'd like (and continue to provide exercise to her for good muscle tone/easy delivery) to prepare for the birth. 

Lyra has begun shedding the hair on her belly in preparation for the birth - this is totally normal and no cause for alarm. 

While she is noticeably bigger with that belly she is in good spirits, very cuddly - and has a great energy level and of course -- a huge appetite!  We are so excited to welcome new babies in the next 7 days. Exciting stuff! 

Drum roll please . . . X-Ray Day!

How many babies do you see?

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital for doing an x-ray on lovely Lyra. Dr. Williams, DVM is a well respected reproductive vet in SoCal and has been an invaluable resource when I do a breeding before, during and afterwards (she later does tails and dew claws when the pups are 2-3 days old). 

Dr. Williams sees 6-7 puppies on Lyra's x-ray and while the vet tech saw 8 -- I am confident in a six-pack which is the perfect size for a first time mom (and her breeder!).

More on "why" I do radiographs on pregnant dogs.

• X-rays are generally done after Day 50+ of gestation, otherwise the skeleton hasn't ossified (calcified) enough to count the babies.   
• You can usually count puppies readily on radiographs, again +/- one puppy. (Count skulls, not spines! Most people count BOTH). Even then, someone can be hiding behind another puppy or along mom's spine.  This helps me plan for the whelp and know what to expect. 
• The other advantage is that the skulls can be compared in size to the width of the dam's pelvis (not usually an issue with Vizslas).  

Beautiful Momma-to-be!

Photos of Lyra showing her lovely baby bump!  She has that pregnancy "glow" and while taking a few more naps than usual, she is still a bubbly and cheerful girl and of course -- she's always hungry! 

Lovely lounging Lyra

Lyra lounging in the sun after her mandatory Sunday mani/pedi.