There is no greater joy in the entire world than rescuing a dog in need.
Entering a shelter, witnessing all those charming faces, and bringing one home so they can experience the best life alongside you is truly remarkable.
And that’s precisely what Haley Houghmaster opted to do.
After perusing the pups at her local shelter in Memphis, she instantly fell for a lovely Australian Shepherd/border collie mix named Salem. As she was only intending to adopt one dog, she completed all the paperwork and brought the pup home.
However, what she didn’t recognize was that another puppy was concealed nearby.
The Most Adorable Reveal
After allowing her some time to acclimate to her new environment, Houghmaster took Salem to the necessary veterinary appointments…one of which was a spay appointment.
Once the vets induced anesthesia and performed the first incision, they discovered something that completely astonished them – Salem was significantly pregnant.
“Found out at spay appt [appointment] that my new rescue dog is pregnant with one puppy,” she shared on a Reddit post.
The veterinarians explained the situation to Houghmaster and inquired if she wished to terminate the pregnancy. Aware of the implications that the procedure posed on Salem’s health, and considering it was just one puppy, she opted to keep it.
“We are extremely thrilled and praying for a healthy puppy and a smooth delivery,” Houghmaster mentioned in an interview.
Just a week after discovering this delightful news, Salem welcomed the most precious little puppy ever.
Since then, the owners have been diligently caring for the small family, supplying them with everything required from a cozy home and delicious food to copious love they could ever wish for.
Singleton Pregnancy
Singleton pregnancy, commonly referred to as a single-puppy pregnancy, occurs when a dog is pregnant with just one puppy.
Although this situation is relatively rare, it is not unheard of. Several factors can contribute to singleton pregnancy, including a low ovulation count…the scenario where the dog may have released a single viable egg during her heat cycle.
Another factor could be if the pup experiences fertilization complications or possesses a specific genetic anomaly.
There are also risks that must be taken into account.
The risks entail dystocia, the possibility of the single puppy becoming too large for natural delivery, and prolonged labor due to inadequate hormonal cues. Furthermore, the absence of littermates might impact the puppy’s social growth, necessitating early attention and socialization from the owners.
Thus, while singleton pregnancy may seem straightforward, there are essential considerations if you find yourself in this circumstance.
Ultimately, the best course of action will always be to consult with your veterinarian!