Got a call at 4am this morning from a client who's dog was having problems whelping. We kind of expected it as X-rays taken earlier this week showed only 1 pup. ( 1 pup = big pup = c section ). So we went and picked up the dog and took her to surgery. My vet got the pup out and I went to work on him while she proceeded to spay the mother (She's six and owner decided not to breed her anymore)

Unfortunately he wasn't breathing but I found a slow, faint heartbeat. I kept stimulating him, swung him upside down to clear his airway, even did a little mouth to mouth. His muzzle, nose, tongue and pads were totally blue. After a few minutes he finally took a breath. Then nothing. More stimulation, more mouth to mouth. Heartbeat became a little stronger. He'd take one gasping breath about once every 1-2 minutes, his tongue would pink up for a couple seconds then go blue again. Finally, after 20 minutes he started breathing more regularly and his tongue and muzzle and pads slowly turned a nice pink. It was another 20 minutes before he started crying and moving around.

By the time mom was out of surgery and waking up, he was acting like a normal puppy. He nuzzled into her belly, looking for food and as groggy as she was, mom licked and licked and licked him. We were able to take them home by 8am, I ran home to feed my dog and horses and headed back to start our regular appointments. Not a bad way to begin the day.

Fantastic story! Will the pup have cognitive issues due to lack of oxygen at birth?

Probably not. He doesn't have to run out and pass the SATs or anything. The owner has a lot of experience raising Australian shepherds so she'll be able to pick up on anything unusual.

Besides, I think I had the worlds dumbest dog at one time (a Pointer) and if I had to guess he could have been oxygen deprived at birth for several hours I loved him just the same.

I'm a vet tech. Worked in the small animal ICU at the University of Wisconsin vet school for 3 years, and 14 years in private practice. The last 7 as a partner in a mobile mixed animal practice. Just me and one vet....we stay very busy but days like this make it all worth it.

The feeling has to be exhilarating. You have a wonderful career.

Want a cute little story? I was spending a winter weekend at a friend's country house in a dairy-farming area north of Manhattan. We visited a neighbor who took us down to the barn to see two 2-month old calves. As we walked in, I took off my gloves and shoved them into my coat pockets. While I was petting and cooing to one of the calves, I felt a slight nudging against my hip. At first I thought it was just one of those unexplained, brief sensations of something that isn't there. It persisted. I looked down to see the calf sucking on the glove fingers, which had been sticking out of the pocket. It was so sweet, but sad that he wanted his mommy.

At another friend's place in nearby Pennsylvania, I was washing dinner dishes and watching the resident 7-month old calf romping out in the yard. When I finished, I went out to play with it. With a high energy level, it was bucking around in modified bronco style. I got close, but backed off when I realized that a 7-month old plays too rough for me.

Omgosh ... what a wonderful start to ANY day !

I just sat here reading your story saying "awww" over and over and staring at that sweet little fuzzy face wanting to grab him through the screen and take him home!

What a blessing!

Love, love, love!

Awesome. There was a time when I thought I could be a vet/vet tech... Could give shots, birth animals, do most of the nasty stuff...

then the animals that had to be put down... knew I couldn't do it.

Awesome. There was a time when I thought I could be a vet/vet tech... Could give shots, birth animals, do most of the nasty stuff...

then the animals that had to be put down... knew I couldn't do it.

You're right. But really, putting them down is harder on us and the owners than it is on them. When they get to that point, euthanizing them is the kindest, most humane thing we can do for them. It's actually a peaceful feeling to know I am able to help ease their suffering.