• The mucous plug is a collection of cervical mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. It keeps bacteria and infection from entering into the cervix, providing a protective barrier for the developing baby. When the mother looses the mucus plug it is a sign that it is nearing time for the labor to begin.:o


  • You know, it constantly amazes me how a BYB could even think to breed a litter of puppies. Maybe I just freak out too much about knowing what I'm doing before I do something. I guess they just figure out the bitch knows what to do and it will work itself out naturally. I don't know. But I definitely have a healthy respect for all of the responsible breeders out there.


  • Oh, and I forgot to say that I hope the whelping goes smoothly. It sounds like the waiting must be excrutiating.


  • Fingers crossed Arlene! The waiting is such torture…


  • Hmmm, here it is morning of day 67 and first day of last breeding. Meaning, I bred her three times, two days apart each. This would make this 63 days from the last breeding. Since sperm is viable for up to three days after the breeding, the very last day should be Dec 31. All that happened yesterday was that she was upset she couldn't be with the other dogs, so she peed on the floor. I slept last night with feet in my face and groaning-not from DH, just from her! I hope she has them soon, only so much stinky butt and smelly feet I can stand!! (I'd rather smell puppy poo)


  • I have to agree with Nemo. I would not want to go through this kind of thing by myself the first couple of times. I'd want to volunteer to help an experienced breeder do this and then have some experienced hands with me the first time I went through it.
    Arlene, I hope you get some positive action today!! I look forward to hearing about it.


  • I do have an experienced breeder standing by to help with whelping. Although I have bred terriers, this is my first Basenji breeding. I don't ever recall this much waiting with the terrier!


  • @nomrbddgs:

    Since sperm is viable for up to three days after the breeding, the very last day should be Dec 31.

    I hope that she doesn't make you wait that long, but fresh semen is viable longer than 3 days. Most of the reading I have done says around 7 days. Fresh chilled 2-3 days and the technology is improving. Frozen is only 12 hours.


  • As for not waiting as long for terriers, their season aren't usually as long as a basenjis so you are not usually looking at such a long window. Rally almost always ovulated on day 10 of her heat, except the year of Sophie's litter. I drove down to Arizona when her progesterone started to look like it was rising but she backed off and waited a whole 'nother 10 days. Avongara Cole was very particular about when he would breed her so was about as good as a progesterone test in predicting when they pups were born. Nicky has also been as accurate as a progesterone test in letting us know when ovulation was. My mom's boy Levi would breed any girl in season ovulating or not.


  • @lvoss:

    I hope that she doesn't make you wait that long, but fresh semen is viable longer than 3 days. Most of the reading I have done says around 7 days. Fresh chilled 2-3 days and the technology is improving. Frozen is only 12 hours.

    Crap! Now the window is even longer-now to Jan 4? I'll be on pins and needles-mostly needles by then!!


  • Well, probably it is Jan 1, since the 63 days counts from ovulation which usually occurs about 3 days prior to fertilization.


  • Kero is very good at breeding also. He seems to know the time to breed. I am now at day 68 and nothing again. This is like pulling fingernails now! Although I seemed to be resigned she will go into labour at the most inappropriate time!


  • If she goes much longer you may want to do an x-ray just to be sure it isn't a very small litter. Sometimes 1-2 puppy litters can require a c-section because the puppies aren't crowded and can either get too big for a natural birth or just wait so long that their placentas start deteriorating.


  • That was what I was worried about, but I did hear 3 distinct heartbeats yesterday. Her temp has now dropped to 96 and she's starting to act a little off. Not off enough to not eat, but just early stages. Should be within 24 hrs. I'll keep you updated.


  • OMG!! I've been here just reading from the begining and I have to tell you I'm sooo excited for you!! I'm sure this will be the first thread I read when I get up in the morning, with mutiple checks in between before it's the last thing I check online before going to bed.

    Good luck, prayers, and happy thoughts being sent your way.


  • @snorky998:

    OMG!! I'm sure this will be the first thread I read when I get up in the morning, with mutiple checks in between before it's the last thing I check online before going to bed.

    Me too! I don't know how many times a day I think about the litters that have their own threads here. Alot.
    Fingers crossed that the pups' humans will becomes active members so we continue to hear about the little darlings while they grow.


  • I have found that the timing is totally dependent on what I "have" to do at work on a specific day. THe more critical that I have to be there - the more likely that would be the 'day'. Once I had to write a speech in the morning that my boss was going to give that PM and I just knew that I would have puppies (this was long before email and telecommunting). So I called the vet and asked - "If I bring in one dog to board for the day and she has puppies are you going to charge me for all of them?" They said no unless they had to assist. So I did have one litter born all by themselves at the vets office - the vet staff was amazed - and I got the speech done.


  • Go figure…. that's a Basenji for ya'. Always pulling a "fast one". Predictable is NOT a Basenji trait for sure!!! Guess that goes the same when it comes to laboring... LOL;) I am looking forward to seeing these cuties, too!


  • @bellabasenji:

    Go figure…. that's a Basenji for ya'. Always pulling a "fast one". Predictable is NOT a Basenji trait for sure!!! Guess that goes the same when it comes to laboring... LOL;) I am looking forward to seeing these cuties, too!

    Ha! So true! I raced home from work, because they told me she was starting to nest and whining, so what does she do when I come home? GO TO SLEEP, ALL NIGHT! Nothing yet, I'm sorry to say. I hope to have something soon. Lisa if she doesn't go by Friday, I will take her in. Unless the puppies stop moving before then, or I don't hear heartbeats. Although last night at least three were rolling around separately. It's funny to see heads and feet stuck out an inch past the girls' ribs. Oh, the joys! I will keep you updated!


  • Arlene,
    Were the dates of her breedings Oct 22, 24, and 26?

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