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.