17/01/2026
*EDIT. I am gling to edit my post because I've received several nasty comments calling me a money grabbing grub and calling Birdy a breeding machine, with the general advice to spey her and that I was a heartless breeder only breeding for $$. I have deleted and blocked those nasty trolls.
Just to set the story straight. On New Years Day, Birdy picked up a bacterial infection (eg. E coli, Clostridium perfrigens, salmonella) from something she ate (raw diet but also with a puppy kibble, which has been sent off to the lab for testing) or more likely something she has picked up on the farm (eg. Duck poo or chook poo or remains of dead wildlife).
As soon as there were any symptoms on 2nd January (off her food) she was taken to the vet and they gave me anti nausea medication suitable for pregnant dogs. She ate a bit Friday night but by Saturday morning she also had runny poo, so back to the vet I went, only to be sent away with antibiotics. During Saturday afternoon, I couldn't keep the nausea at bay to get any antibiotics into her, and by late afternoon there was blood coming out her backside in a liquid stream. Birdy was iimmediately rushed into town and admitted to the vet emergency after hours on Saturday eve and placed on an IV drip with fluids and antibiotics (antibiotic considered safe for pregnancy).
After 5 days of changing things around slightly and increasing her Glucose there had been no improvement in Birdy's condition and things were deteriorating, so I had to make the very difficult decision to change the antibiotics to Metronidazole in order to save Birdy's life, even if it meant putting the lives of her unborn pups at risk.
This is what the internet says about Metronidazole: "Metronidazole is generally considered unsafe for use in pregnant dogs throughout all trimesters, including the 3rd trimester. It is known to cause birth defects and should be avoided in pregnant bi***es. Studies have shown that metronidazole can cause teratogenic effects (birth defects) and is associated with reproductive toxicity.
Veterinary resources, such as Veterinary Partner, state it should "never be used during pregnancy".
If your pregnant dog is experiencing diarrhea or other issues, consult your veterinarian for safe, alternative treatments, such as dietary adjustments or medications that do not pose risks to the developing puppies.
If your dog is already in the 3rd trimester, it is crucial to discuss any necessary medications with your veterinarian, as they can determine the safest alternative to avoid potential harm to the puppies."
After exhausting all alternatives, the vet and I made the choice to take the risk that it would affect the pups but in doing so, there was immediate dramatic improvement in Birdy's condition and after 10 days in hospital she came home on Monday. When she left on Monday, the pups were still alive on ultrasound and we prayed we might be able to get through the rest of her pregnancy unscathed, but deep down knowing that this was highly unlikely. There was also still a huge concern that some of the pups may be born with defects (like cleft palate) but there was also the chance that they'd be fine too.
Thursday morning Birdy was showing possible signs of being in labour 10 days before her due date, so I rang the vet, expressed my concerns and made an appointment for that afternoon. We ended up there at lunchtime instead after she aborted a dead pup in her whelping box, which was a significanly upsetting experience. Tragically, she expelled two more (also deceased) at the vets throughout the afternoon and the decision was made to remove the remaining 6 (who weren't showing signs of life) by caesarean; and to spey if it there was a life threatening condition to Birdy that warranted it.
Thankfully, Birdy's reproductive organs were healthy and undamaged despite the pups not making it. The death of these pups was in no way related to defects within Birdy herself nor will getting her pregnant again in the future 12-18 months away pose any risk to her as a consequence of this tragic event.
Just so you know, Birdy is 4 years old and this was going to be her first litter. Her stay in hospital and subsequent surgery cost well over $6,000 and with Peg also in there with Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis over Christmas and Topaz in with an ear issue before that, my vet bill for December up to to Friday afternoon was around the $7-8k mark in total. So, taking that into consideration plus the loss of 9 puppies at $1500 each, there is considerable financial loss as well as the significant emotional loss. I have spent since Christmas Eve worrying about my young dog Peg, followed by the real justifiable concerns that I was going to lose Birdy; so to those who are passing judgement and making ignorant and cruel comments towards someone you don't know about a situation you knew nothing about, just do me a favour, go away and ar****le elsewhere.
As my mother used to say, "if you dont have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." .............
I have some very sad news. Thursday around lunchtime Birdy started to abort her puppies and had to be re-admitted to the vet for an emergency caesarean to remove the remaining puppies. All 9 puppies were deceased, the strain on poor Birdy's body from the bacterial infection, body temperature spikes, several days of insufficient nutrition and all the medication just too much for the poor little things to survive.
Whilst I am absolutely devastated over the loss of 9 beautiful lives, a mere 10 days away from being born, on a positive note her uterus wasn't damaged in the process so it shouldn't affect her future ability to have puppies or affect her gynaecological or physical health in any way. The most important thing is and always was the health and wellbeing of my beloved little Bird and I'm just so relieved that she is home with me again and on the mend. Fingers crossed her recovery is smooth sailing from here on in.
To all those who contacted me registering interest in a pup from this litter, my condolences to you as well. I certainly wasn't the only person really looking forward to the Australiana litter coming into the world. 💔 Birdy needs time to fully recover and I'll consider getting her in pup again in another year or so.
Rest in peace Birdy's babies. 🌈 Sorry you never got the chance to do great things here on earth and be someone's special boy or girl. You were still much loved ❤️🐾. Now in the care of the angels. 😇
