Good morning Ferg;

Before my first case of pyometra, I already knew what to look for ... because I had already read 3 vet books, from cover-to-cover, the reproductive section most especially, so that I was PREPARED for all the terrible shit that can happen after heat cycles, during birthing, etc.

In fact, before my first two litters of pups were born, I already had bought/read two vet books, because I was nervous as hell, and I didn't want anything to go wrong. (Nothing did.)
I read about every stage of gestation and delivery, the temperature drop, what problems to watch out for (both during/after delivery), everything.

Therefore, I pretty much knew that if a bitch comes out of heat, and is listless, drinks alot, but won't eat, she's got pyo ... before I ever had my first case of pyo ... so when my first case did come, I knew what it was.

Too many people breed these dogs, without ever cracking open a book (or, worse, "buying books" that sit un-read on their shelves) ... thinking that "everything will be okay."

In 20-something years of breeding dogs, I have never yet had a case of acute metritis, but I damned sure know what it is, because I have read about it plenty of times, and know when it is likely to be the problem.

For that matter, I also knew what babesia was before my first case, because (here again) I had read about it before Stormbringer's brother Tecate caught it (back in 1995) ... and it was only because I HAD TAKEN THE TIME TO READ A LOT that I was able to identify the problem (that no vet could figure out), make the contacts I needed to make, and get that dog saved

So I will have to beg your pardon for my attitude ... IMO too many people tell me their, "Boo-hoo, this was my first time," stories ... but it doesn't wash with me, sorry.

Reading, educating oneself, having an idea of all the problems that can happen during birthing + post-partum BEFORE you actually start breeding dogs and producing litters is simply DOING YOUR JOB and BEING PREPARED.

I do agree with you that, sitting around, breeding dogs, letting bitches have their pups in pens, having no fogging idea of what symptom means what, pulling dead pups out, and then "taking a bitch to the vet" only after she's deathly-ill (because prophylactic antibiotics weren't given) is how most people breed dogs ... but it certainly can't in any way be called "best practice."

Glad she's doing better,

Jack