From Expecting Mom to Fighting for Her Life
Carley was due on June 29, and a couple of weeks before whelping, I noticed something was different—and possibly wrong. She was enormous, far bigger than any of my other moms-to-be. She struggled to rest, and that nagging feeling told me something wasn’t quite right.
I made an appointment for an X-ray, and the results left me in awe: 11 puppies!
The Start of a Long Journey
We couldn’t schedule a C-section yet because Carley wasn’t ready, so we decided to let her start naturally. Early Monday morning, she began labor and delivered six puppies on her own. But I could tell she was exhausted and fading fast.
Off to the vet we went. Thankfully, they were able to deliver the remaining five puppies alive and well via C-section. Sadly, we lost one during the natural birthing, leaving us with 10 healthy little ones.
The Scary Diagnosis
During the surgery, my vet noticed something unusual—Carley had an excessive amount of fluid around each puppy, and her liver had an odd color. It stayed in both our minds.
We went home hoping for the best, but Carley never bounced back. One moment she seemed fine; the next, she would crash. Meanwhile, I was bottle-feeding 10 puppies every two hours. Late that night, things took a turn for the worse—Carley had a seizure.
I rushed her back to the vet, where she was put on IV antibiotics to fight infection and regain strength. But she continued to fade. That’s when we got the official diagnosis:
Hydroallantois Pregnancy (Hydro Pregnancy for short)—a rare condition that affects all species, even humans.
A reminder:
Carley’s story is a reminder that breeding isn’t always easy or predictable—it’s filled with challenges, surprises, and sometimes life-or-death moments. But with love, knowledge, and determination, we can overcome them.
A Life-Saving Move
I raced to Missouri University in Columbia, where Carley received a blood transfusion—a move that, in my heart, I believe saved her life. She remained there for three days and made a full recovery.
Unfortunately, Carley didn’t come into her milk, so bottle feeding became our new normal until we could transition to soft food. It’s been exhausting, but worth every second.
Why I’m Sharing This Story
This condition is rare and often unknown—even among veterinarians. Many have never encountered it and aren’t sure how to treat it after a C-section. We were lucky. Very lucky.
Our “Gypsy Clan” earned their name because of the many road trips taken to ensure their survival. Today, they’re thriving, and Carley is home and healthy.
A Special Thank You to Tessa
I couldn’t have done this alone. Tessa, who was weaning her litter at the time, stepped in like a hero. She helped stimulate and clean the puppies as if they were her own. She deserves so much credit for this success story.
Key Takeaways:
What is Hydroallantois Pregnancy?
Hydroallantois Pregnancy is rare but can occur in dogs, livestock, and even humans.
Helpful Tips
Rapid veterinary intervention and blood transfusions can save the mother’s life.
Quick Actions
Community support and quick action make all the difference in critical cases.