Читать книгу The Complete Book of Dog Breeding - Dan Rice - Страница 25

Other than body size and breed peculiarities, several other factors influence puberty and estrous cycles. Among them are injuries, diseases, nutrition, and the presence of other intact females in the same home or kennel. They are discussed at length in the chapter on breeding problems (Chapter 4).

The general health and fitness of bitches play extremely important roles in their reproductive cycles. Animals exhibiting or recovering from injuries or illnesses may not cycle, or their cycles may be abbreviated or otherwise modified. That is another general rule to which exceptions are frequently noted.

I have seen live, reasonably healthy puppies born to weak, emadated bitches suffering from poor nutrition, complicated by infections, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks. High puppy mortality usually accompanies such litters, but dogs have an amazing ability to perpetuate their species in the face of adversity.

A German Shorthaired Pointer relaxing on the sand.

Example: I had occasion to treat a 30-pound mixed breed bitch about eight months old that a client picked up on the roadside of an Arizona Indian reservation. She was emaciated, anemic, weak, dehydrated, and nearly comatose. One femur was fractured with the bone ends overriding each other several inches. Her coat had once been long, but was now sparse due to an active mange infestation. She also harbored three types of intestinal parasites.

Together with general anesthesia and surgical bone repair, she was treated for her various parasite infestations and anemia. Her response to treatment and premium diet was exemplary. On a splint check-up visit two weeks later, I discovered she was about one month pregnant. Spaying her was considered, but her new owners elected to wait until after her other ailments were handled. Due to her stressed condition, I predicted she might not carry the litter to term. Surprise! She uneventfully delivered and raised five nondescript puppies.