Jack is absolutely right, it's best to be well versed in something BEFORE you dive in and do it.

I had a couple cases of pyometra a few years ago, of all the years I've had dogs it was my first. I was prepared and didn't even have to make a trip to the vet. 3 bitches, 2 mine got over it with no problem, my oldest bitch (almost 10) relapsed next heat and I decided to put her down because of her age and I honestly didn't want to keep her as a spayed dog when I could keep a young healthy up and coming dog in her space. She was special and lived like a queen up until I said goodbye.

I've only lost 1 pup that was whelped here, he chilled when he crawled away from his mother in the night on day 2, that was 12 years ago. That is something you can't prevent because you must sleep....and I use lectro heating pads. I'll never leave a bitch to whelp unattended, I've invested to much of my time in the dogs that I breed to take a loss when I finally decide to breed them.

My bitch that just whelped is a dum dum, she gets up constantly and plops on her pups. I've been up with her since 8pm last night. Now that delivery is over she is a bit calmer but still doesn't have enough sense to not lay on pups. So I'm right here, catching my winks between listening for movement.

I understand not everyone can be so diligent, but I guarantee you I know when something is off with any one of my dogs far sooner than any vet and most dogmen.

S_B