Police dog and new mum Luna was saved from having a caesarean section during the birth of her first litter of pups thanks to a recently donated ultra sound machine.
Luna, who was due to give birth on 29 August, went into early labour on 27 August. She delivered three healthy pups before having a 90-minute nap, which isn’t uncommon, but when she got up again there was no sign of the rest of her litter arriving.
After two hours and nothing happening, staff at the dog training centre consulted a vet and used the ultrasound machine they now have on site to check the heart rates of Luna’s unborn pups.
Thankfully they were all within the normal range and the pups were showing no signs of distress.
As a result, staff were able to follow the vet’s guidance on non-invasive interventions so Luna’s labour could continue naturally until her remaining four pups were all delivered safely.
Without the ultrasound, Luna would have had a caesarean after two-and-a-half hours to avoid the risk of foetal distress.
“It’s a great result and shows how useful it is for us to have the ultrasound at the dog training centre,” says Breeding Centre Team Leader Sue Alexander.
“It meant Luna could have a natural birth in an environment she knows and feels comfortable in, and she’s already proving to be a wonderful first time mum.”
Luna's litter of four dogs and three bitches are all black and tan and doing well.