The Swedish Fledgelings Did Not Make It!

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

Lupin is very healthy, happy and bouncy, but sadly, and with heavy heart, I bring you the news that she prematurely lost her eight puppies, the first one, just 30 hours before being released from quarantine. One baby survived for 24 hours, with small feeds every one and a half hours around the clock, and we cared for him at home in a portable humidicrib with oxygen.Sadly, his lungs would not have been developed enough, as the litter was only due this weekend.
I cannot Thank enough our Breeding Specialist Vet, Dr Sue Joubert, one of the best in Australia.Her expertise, care and dedication has been marvellous.
Also my grateful Thanks go to Julia Mounsey and her wonderful staff at Byford Quarantine Station, who have loved and looked after Lupin during her month long stay.
Special Thanks go to my good friend Irene and her gourmet luncheons for Lupin. Between us, we have visited Lupin every day of her stay, each time covering the 150 kilometre round trip.
Erik and Christian, our two young Swedish friends, have also visited Lupin with me, to give her some Swedish hugs and words that she is familiar with.My accent isn't quite the same as the beautiful Swedish lilt.
Please respect Camilla's and my sadness at this time. Although this drama began eleven days ago, it has come as a terrible shock. Lupin has been so very happy and settled since arriving and was happily eating and playing right up until the first onset of problems.
Her puppies were sired by the beautiful Coppers Prat Bubbla, a son of the UK's leading sire, and top Irish Setter, Sh Ch Caskey's Concept at Aoibheanne J.W. out of World Winner 08 Balintyne Copper's Home N'Dry. Prat Bubbla and his litter sisters are winning so well for Camilla, including, Eva Ciechonska's in England, who was placed 1st out of 23 at Crufts, and already has 1CC to her credit.
All Lupin's test results are clear and normal, so we can only pick up the pieces and look to the future, and I know it WILL be a very bright future.
Thankyou Camilla once again, for everything, and for bestowing your beautiful Lupin on MY bed!

[Dee Rance]

So sad to hear your news, You all must be devastated no words can help, but I am so pleased that she is recuperating well in your care, long may it last....
Dee and the girls

[Lise-Lotte Persson]

It was sad to hear!

[Melinda Auld]

Myra - I'm so sorry to read this. It's a very sad loss. By the sounds of it, Lupin is a strong, healthy and above all happy girl - I'm sure she'll enjoy a long and wonderful life here in Australia, even if it didn't start the way you wanted. Best wishes and hugs. XX

[Christiane Lohmann]

So sorry to hear your loss and wish you better luck next time. and may nobody try to blame you or certain bloodlines or any circumstances for it, as this would I regard as very cruel.

[Esther Siegrist]

Dear Myra nd Camilla
I'm so sorry for your lost! I can understand your sorrow! Wish you and Lupin all the best and a very happier comming time!
Hugs for Lupin and you!

[Frances McKimm]

Such a tragedy and blow to your breeding program; its a hard time to go through but well soon you'll look to the future and more pups;
I once had a bitch lose her pups 10days too early, and she was my girl, living in her own home;and the next time she had no problems; We're lucky in having as an easy going breed, not much worries them, so doubt if the trip or quarantine have anything to do with it, or she'd have lost them sooner;
Just an idea but next time do a progesterone test 2 x a week till 'the end'! I had to do this with one of my girls; she maybe dropped in progesterone just too early so if you keep careful watch then progesterone can be given to her to hold on the extra few days; worked for me;

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

Thankyou, Frances. When the vet came into quarantine, shortly after Lupin just popping out the first puppy, Lupin was ultra sounded and the rest of the puppies looked very good. Heart beats were perfect and their placentas looked good.Sue gave Lupin a long acting progesterone injection then,and some days later when another puppy appeared, before we could administer another injection, Lupin had gone in to labour.
The Vet said the cause of all this could be even as simple as the kennel cough virus!

[Carmel Murphy]

The kennel cough virus was always a worry with my pregnant Rua as I have a small boarding kennel and even with the best care with vaccinations it can still get in to the kennel(vaccinations are not 100% effective) And as it is carried in the air it can be picked up so easily and anywhere (your own back garden, public parks, streets etc)(even at a Vets clinic) I have had fully vaccinated dogs still get a mild form of the kennel cough virus!! A nasty little bug!! Glad Lupin is well and look forward to hearing about her adventures in OZ!!;o))

[Angela Roberts]

So sorry Myra and Camilla after so much worry and excitement getting Lupin down under and for this cruel blow to you all. It can and does happen to bitches that have not even left their premises so the journey and quarantine probably had nothing to do with it and she would have had the best possible treatment and care I am sure. Try never to look back but always forward to the better times and thankfully she has come through unscathed. In fact sounds like she is having fun already and you have fun enjoying her. She is beautiful.

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

I fully concur with what you say, Carmel. I run a boarding kennel too, and we probably all know the virus can be taken about on our own clothing. Who knows, perhaps someone went through quarantine unknowingly in this manner.
Thankyou too, Angela.After this weekend,knowing the puppies were due, things will only get better. I have my Darling and very precious Lupin, healthy and happy, and that is most important.
All of us dog people suffer the "blows" from time to time,and it is just testament to our dedication that we pull ourselves together and plan for the future.