about c section in great dane

Question
QUESTION: My dane had a c section on her first litter, she was 62 days but was straining and the vet thought it was best for her. She had 3 pups one survived, 2 were very small and weak (they did not make it) one was a giant he was fantastic and thrived, Now she is almost ready to whelp again, Though I think she should be c sectioned again, what happens if she starts to have puppies before the c section date? How would you determine the c section date, not wanting preemies (what I feel happened her first litter, I am concerned if we go to the vet to soon, Do we wait until she is showing distress again before we go. or do we schedule and hope? your advice please. Thank you Kim

ANSWER: Hi Kimberly

In my experience large breeds last longer in gestation. My Neo went 75 days and her litter was fine.

How long did you wait before you bred her again?  Was it back to back or did you wait a year or more?

If you didn't wait, her stomach muscles and wall wouldn't be recovered enough.  Also, there is the chance that pups can adhere to the scare tissue.

I would recommend doing x-rays to determine the size of the litter and placement then consider scheduling a section.

Good luck

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your time. We did wait, almost to date it is a year between whelping. She is a healthy three year old female that has had lots of exercise and good diet. She is very large, I did an ultra sound  (I breed horses) and I counted 6 pups, but there could be more, I am not completely confidante in my knowledge of the bitches internal anatomy,  I am concerned that if I go in to the vet she will want to take them to soon. Living in a small town, my Dane is the only Dane she has to treat. What size would you like to see the pups and how would you like to see the placement of the pups before you would agree to do a c section to be done? having bred large breeds yourself, I would like your input. Thank you, Kim

Answer
Personally, I prefer x-ray's because you can actually count each spine and head.  This is done anytime after day 50, that's when the bones calcify.

You can also get an idea where they are placed in the horn, and if in fact, they have attached themselves to scar tissue.  The vet can also measure the circumference of skulls.  

The longer they can stay in of course, the better it would be for everyone involved.