A couple of months ago, we found the perfect stud for Mowgli, our LH
(german/austrian lines). Since we really like outcrossing, it was
very difficult to find a stud on the mainland. Via another English
Weim forum, we found us the perfect match.
So after arranging loads of things, in January the time was there to
go to the UK. We had a great trip and had a lovely week in the Lake
District. The people we rented from were sooooo dog-friendly, it was
unbelievable!!!
After a wonderfull week, we went back to Holland, with a hopefully
pregnant bitch. After three weeks we were sure, we could feel
them!!!
As some of you might know, this was a very exciting period. We had
to arrange everything and at the end of March we were ready for a
nice and healthy litter. At the 27th of March, the temperature
dropped and at around 11 pm she started. At 12 o'clock the first one
arrived and 2.5 hours later, number 6 was born. They all looked
healthy and were a good size!!!! Oh man, I was sooooo proud!!!! It
was monday the 28th, easter monday.
The next morning, the first one was already death and another one
was poorly. He died not long after. There were no signs that the
pups were ill or something, so I thought it had to do with the mom,
being a bit nervous or something. At first I thought she might have
crushed them or something, without me noticing. This wasn't very
likely, since it was her second litter and there have been no
problems in her first litter.
Anyway, the rest was fine, so I hoped this was just an accident.
The 30th of March another puppy became poorly. I fed him through the
tube, but he died during the night. I still hoped the first 2 died
accidentally, so I didn't take any action then.
A week later, one of the bitches became poorly. I helped her again,
but she didn't survive. She left us at the 6th of April.
I brought her to the vet uni, because I wanted to know what was
wrong.
The worst was yet to come. The last bitch became ill friday the 8th
and since we knew what was coming, I decided to euthanise her. I'm a
vet nurse and gave the injection myself. It was the hardest thing I
ever had to do, since I first started this job 11 years ago.
The last boy didn't seemed ill at all, and he did very well till
saturday the 16th of April. While it was my birthday, I had visitors
and he died when I had a house full of visitors . It was my worst
birthday ever. The last boy was such a handsome chap. He already had
his eyes and ears open. He started to play and growled at me. I was
in love!!!
Unfortunately, it wasn't ment to be
I don't have a diagnosis yet, but they think it was canine herpes.
This is a virus most dogs have, but it hardly ever gives problems.
Well, it's been 10 days now, since the last one died and the world
looks a bit brighter again. Mowgli is fine thank god, although
somewhat hormonal. But she'll be fine. I really hope you'll never
ever have to experience a thing like this!!!!!
( I got the results back today, and it's not herpes. Not sure yet
what it is, but will let you know as soon as I know more, for the
sake of the breed).