Day Seventy Eight - Moseying Along

Life has been fairly busy lately, so I didn't get a chance to update after the second of Emmi's progesterone tests last week.  The good news is her levels were right down, which has us now at stage two of her treatment plan ... which is pretty much doing nothing! :-)

In three weeks time we'll be back at the vet to hopefully move into stage three.  But in the meantime we wait.  With Emmi's levels back down again I have been expecting her to bounce back out of her post-season hormonal slump, but she still seems in it a bit.  The last few days Louis has been determined she is coming back into season, which is frustrating the life out of me, because she is certainly showing no other signs, and I'll be in a complete panic if she does.  Of course, Louis is often a bit "screwy" with his thinking, and maybe it is just the antibiotics he is on at the moment messing with his mind!  One can hope!

Given this period of time before the litter, that I didn't plan for, we have been working at a few achievements for Emmi to rack up.  Over the last month she has achieved a Best in Group (Group 1 for USA/UK/European readers) in the conformation ring, as well as her first pass toward her CCD title (beginners obedience level) which was gained with a first place in her ring!

So given there are no puppy photos to share ..... I'll have to tide everyone over with an Emmi photos!  Here she is with her class winner ribbon from the obedience trial:

Day Fifty Six - Feeling the Frustration

The next of the "things not going as smoothly as planned" moments hit today!  Emmi finished the course of the first of her medication last week and we were off to our local vet for a blood draw for a progesterone test on Saturday.

When I got the phone message on Saturday night to tell me her levels, along with the "you had better ring us, because she's probably just peaked", aside from a giggle - because if Emmi is in season it sure is a surprise to my boys - I knew it wasn't what we were wanting. 

It wasn't until today that I was able to get the message through to Dr Mason.  Although the medication has lowered her levels, it hasn't been quite enough, so we're going to have to continue for a little longer.  Of course, I have no tablets left, so we were arranging express post deliveries today.

It's not the end of the world, but it is a bit frustrating not to have it all go perfectly!  Not that Emmi will mind.  She was loving her "special treats" each evening!

Day Twenty Eight - A Vet Visit

We were off to the vet tonight, for Emmi's post season check up.  Another ultrasound, much to her disgust, to see how things are looking now that her season has finished (although don't tell Louis she has finished - he REFUSES to believe it!).  Although, looking a little better, now that her uterus has contracted again, there were still the same signs.  The good news is there is no sign of any fluid build up, which would be occurring by now if she was developing pyometra.

We went away with the first of Emmi's medication, which she will start on in a little over a weeks time.  This will shorten her period of dietrus, and she will be on this for two weeks before having a progesterone test to ensure her levels are right down low.

Day Seven - Some Sad News

Well it wasn't the news I was expecting and hoping for today.  We went off for Emmi's first progesterone test and ultrasound this morning. The ultrasound was to double check that her uterus is all healthy before going ahead with the AI, particularly given she is a bit older, at almost six years of age.

Sadly, it showed that there is some thickening of the uterine wall and some cyst development, indications of a mild level of cystic endometrial hyperplasis, not unusual in older girls.  Although not remotely severe, Dr Mason believed we would be safest not going ahead this season, and risking the loss of a litter, given how precious Ressi's semen in.  Instead, he advised treating her, with the aim of getting her ready for her next season.

So sadly, there still won't be Emmi x Ressi babies for a little while to come, which has left me rather depressed today.  But as Dr Mason said, better to be a little disappointed now and still have a good chance than a lot disappointed in a couple of months time.

Once Emmi has completed her season this time around we will commence her treatment plan.  I did consider deleting this blog and starting again down the track, but in the end, I guess this is all part of the process.  So I will keep it going - although news won't be all that frequent for a while.

Day Six - The DNA Stuff

I remembered to order a DNA kit today so it is here in time for the insemination date.  Generally I have all of my dogs DNA profiled already, so it is not something I need to think about.  But with Ressi on the other side of the ocean, things are a little more complicated.

Luckily they will profile from an empty straw once the insemination has taken place, so the pups can all have their parentage checks done as per normal.  That's the kind of thing I am likely to remember after the fact, and be kicking myself over!  So I'm glad I remembered in time.

I wonder what our poor Australian Post staff members would think if they knew what they were carrying around in that envelope?! :-)

Day Five - Moved and Ready

I didn't post last night, because we were busy moving!  Trying to work out what we will all need for a three week period is quite the challenge - and my car was full to overflowing.

But Emmi, Louis and I are now settled in to my parent's place.  Kulta was very very happy with our arrival.  I think he thought I was bringing him an early birthday present!  Louis thought otherwise!  I haven't had the heart to tell them yet that they are both going to be disappointed.

The crates are all set up ready, but it is still too early to need to separate anyone when we are home to supervise.  After Kulta's initial excitement he has just settled in to his usual sleep ..... "wake me up when it is time."

As for Emmi, I think she has decided that she is already pregnant.  Either that or she thinks she needs some extra fat reserves.  She's always wanting food at the best of times, but there is certainly an edge at the moment.

Day Three - A Reprieve

Today was Emmi's last outing before the door closes on her extra-curricular activities, with us heading off to a dog show for the day.

Emmi wasn't entered.  If she had come in season on time, she would be peaking right around now, and I'm personally not to keen on showing my girls during their seasons at any other time other than the very beginning.  So she sat ringside while Louis and Taija went into the ring - with a rather dirty look directed my way when she realised they seemed to be getting more treats than her.  She made up for it later, though, hunting down any poor unfortunate who looked to have their hand in their pocket, and putting on her very special flirting language!

Louis was Best in Group today, so it was a pretty special day for us.  He seemed a bit distracted in the ring today, though, not his usual self.  And if the extra sniffing is anything to go by, Emmi is becoming more and more interesting each day.