Severe Anxiety

Question
QUESTION: "Hi,
I have a "special" lil' shitz - she/Bo Jangles is 11 months old and the runt of a litter of 5 pups (the mom rejected them and we hand raised them all).
She was stuck in the birth canal with another pup and both sacs were wedged so fully that even the vet could not manually dislodge them and after 4 unsuccessful Pit injections an emergency c-section was performed.
Little Bo was not expected to survive and her hips were swung low with her little legs twisted in opposite directions and limp.
She was also wall eyed and had corneal scarring.
I am happy to report that with 4 times daily massage therapy and eye excercises (made up by my husband) and a ton of TLC, not only has she survived, but... No wheels, no Goggles and no Crash Helmet.
She is very healthy and happy. Running, Jumping and rough housing with the rest and her eyes are straight and she can focus and see. She is half the size of her litter mates and the only other thing that really sets he apart is that she is just a little stiff in her movements and can be slightly nervous and jerky in her movements when she is disoriented outside of her environment.
She has been handled extensively since the day she was born and when she was too little to do anything she took her bathing and grooming as it came.
As she got older she still accepts a bath and being brushed, and anything you wish to do "with your bare hands", but add a cotton ball or a face cloth, not to mention a scissor, nail clipper or buzz razor and all bets are off.
She totally freaks and by "freaks" I mean she bucks and struggles so hard it is impossible to put drops in her eyes, ears or do anything.
This reaction is severe and seems to be linked mostly to having any part of her body forcefully restrained, especially her head.  She fights so hard that it is not only dangerous - her quick was cut badly last grooming and she had a gash under her chin, but even worse... the whites of her eys were blood red and my groomer (who is amazing, an angel from god, has the patience of a saint and is the only one who ever groomed her) said it was from hypertension and that she was afraid she was going to give herself a heart attack.
She had tears in her eyse and said she never, ever wanted to have to say it, but she needs me to start sedating her for her groomings.
I have tried the wholistic mixtures of vallerium, chamomile, etc. with no real effect. I have tried benedryl as suggested by my vet - no effect.
My vet does not want to give her any rx sedation and says it is dangerous.
What can I possibly do?????
Help Please!!!!"


ANSWER: Essentially, you can do nothing.  Your pup experienced a lifelong conditioned fear response to restraint during her neonatal struggle in the uterus.  I agree with the vet that rx sedation is out of the question, given the description you offer of her 'jerky' movements when under stress.  This suggests neurological damage, which is likely given the extreme and prolonged birth process.  There is no behavior modification that can overcome these psychological and neurological insults.  The only thing you can hope for (over time) is that your MIRACULOUS groomer (give her a hug for me) may be able to carefully desensitize this dog.  Instead of an electric grooming tool, I suggest she handcut as she can, without seriously restraining the dog.  She may never look exactly as you'd like, but her coat can be kept clean and trim this way.

Congratulations on having turned this little life around.  Perhaps it's time to stop breeding?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you sooo much for your very insightful response.
I appreciate your suggestion and will gladly discuss this option with my groomer (and hug her I will).
I do not need her to be pretty (she is already the most beautiful dog in the world to us) - I want her healthy and happy!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a Breeder, just a "one time fool".
I loved my little shitz and wanted her puppy (for me), My Mom loved her equally and also wanted one of her babies for her retirement. Researched and noted 3 is the usual litter for a shitz. Met someone who was looking for their male to have a puppy for them to keep.
One for me, one for Mom and one for daddy's family - simple right???
I educated myself, spent bundles preparing a safe, comfotable whelping area.
First shock... x-ray revealed 5 puppies - OK, I will keep 2 and my sister wanted one.
I was prepared for all emergencies - yeah, right!!!
for the delivery and like all great plan's... when the two pups got lodged all heck broke loose.
I want you to know I was not prepared for, nor could have ever anticipated having the mother reject them.
My mother moved in with us, my husband and I took all our vacation and sick time and moved onto a blow up mattress in the storage room (turned our bedroom into an incubator) and the 3 of us... mixed formula, bottle fed, pooped, weighed, cleaned and loved these babies around the clock, without a clue what the heck we were doing, other than what we could find on the internet
My husband and I let god lead our hands and hearts with Bo, when even the vet could not offer any hope.
(he said not to expect any of them to survive the first few days) -
So, anyway...
Kansas (the Mom) was spayed with the c-section, the 2 girls were spayed and the 1 boy neutered at 6 months.
I have not spayed Bo (I may be wrong) but neither me or my husband can bear taking any more chances with her and/or putting her through the trauma, but I promise you - she will not get pregnant.


Answer
I strongly agree that spaying Bo might not be doable, at least not until she's obtained some maturity, and even then (given her neurological problems) anesthesia might not be safe.  You'll have to discuss this carefully with your veterinarian.  The primary reason to spay is to protect the bitch from mammary cancer, uterine problems, etc., but if the bitch cannot live through the surgery (even with fast acting anesthesia), obviously this is a moot point!  You must, however, be absolutely certain Bo does not encounter any intact males when she is in season.  Buying "bitch britches" is a wonderful solution; this is a tight fitting garment, secured with velcro, making it impossible for sexual activity (and also holds a disposable pad, a great help around the house.)

You've made the same mistake many people make: wanting a puppy from a beloved companion.  I try to make people understand that breeding a bitch is a huge responsibility, both toward the bitch herself and the puppies.  It's expensive, it requires tremendous socialization of pups, and sometimes the bitch's temperament changes after whelping.  Don't be too hard on yourself, but you can spread the word to others.  If you want a puppy, find a RELIABLE breeder (not a pet store, not a neighbor, not someone from down the block,...a breeder with a waiting list and references).  You're doing a wonderful job with Bo.  No matter how long her life might be, she will be surrounded by your love and care.