AboutRenee Cox Expertise I can help with many questions on whelping, difficulties with pregnancy, and puppies. My breed is Boxer, but I have helped other breeders whelp many different breeds, including the small breeds. I also took a vet assistant course for my own dogs. I only have 8 years breeding experience.
Experience I have bred, whelped, and raised Boxers for 8 years. I have also helped other breeders in different breeds whelp many litters.
Education/Credentials I have two semesters of vet assistant training.
Expert: Renee Cox Date: 7/2/2008 Subject: pregnat jack russell
Question QUESTION: I have a small jrt that i believe to be preg., her abdomen is much larger, her breast are starting to sag a bit and she has gone from 9# to 12#. She has also shown several other signs. Every night before bed she goes out to potty, however this morning when i woke i found that she had pooped in the house as well as vomited. The going potty in the house is not like her, and if she ever does she puts herself in her cage right away, but this time she got right back in bed as if it were ok. Which it was I know she cant help it. Is this a sign of something, im trying to prepare for puppies but this is her 1st litter also papa dog is a bit larger around 25# beagle, should i worry about the puppy size and how many pups could i expect. Vets are so expensive and i just cant afford to have an xray right now. any advice will be appreciated. also i think the conception date is between 5/9 and 5/13 but im not 100% thank you
ANSWER: Hi Amber. She may be pottying in the house because her uterus is putting a lot of pressure on everything, making it harder to hold it. I would worry a bit about the size difference. Make sure she's not fat, and gets plenty of exercise, just don't make her over do it.:-) This will help with the whelping. Jack Russels have an average litter of 4-6. Remember, it's just an average, she may have more or less. There's no real way to tell if she has a really big one in there unless you do an x-ray. If I can help with anything else, let me know!
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QUESTION: Yes there is one more. as i said before i just cant afford the vet bills right now and have been told by several vets that all fees are due up front so there is no possibility of being billed. This may sound stupid but im going to ask anyway, if you cant afford a hair cut you can got to a beauty school and get it done for free, or a tooth ache, go to dental school and get it checked out for free or for a small fee, is there anything like that, a vet school, that may offer something similar. I love this little girl and want the best for her right now is just a bad time for the extra expenses. i live in the Birmingham area of Alabama if you have any suggestions. thanks again
ANSWER: Hi Amber. This is a really good idea. I honestly don't know if they'll do it for a cheaper price, or even for free, but I'd be happy to look into it for you if you want me to. I can see if there's a vet school close to you, and if they'd do this. Let me know.
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QUESTION: That would be wonderful. I just don't know where to start. by the way last night i asked my daughter if she remembered when i told her we may be having pups, it was on 5/11 so i believe now that it was 5/9 when i caught the dogs.so based on that it could be any day right? thank you so much for your help
Answer Ok, I found one vet school in your state, but it's in Auburn. I don't know if that's very close to you or not. I looked around some more and found out that they do at cost vet care, and gives free heart worm meds, ect. Ok, I was wrong. There's another one at Tuskegee University. It's suppose to be about 20 miles away from Auburn. That's all I could really find out. I would definitely start to watch her. I'd say she'll go pretty soon.
