Guide Dogs pups delivered by emergency surgery during flood crisis
A litter of eight healthy Guide Dog puppies was born in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Brisbane’s northside despite the Guide Dog brood being evacuated due to the flood threat.Black Labrador ‘Pip’ (pictured right with her pups) gave birth at 5.30am after enduring first stage labour throughout the night in a motel room at Chermside under the watchful eye of Guide Dogs Queensland’s specialist Breeding Team.
The decision was made to rush ‘Pip’ to Queensland Veterinary Specialists at Stafford for an emergency caesarian early in the morning when it became evident the labour was not progressing.
‘Pip’ was one of more than 40 Guide Dogs-in-training and pups which were evacuated from the 7ha Bald Hills Breeding and Training Centre at midday on Tuesday, 11 January, in response to rising flood waters in a nearby river system.
All dogs were evacuated from the kennels complex and taken home by Guide Dog trainers as well as administrative, fundraising and management staff as a precaution.
GDQ CEO Chris Laine who cared for two dogs overnight said everyone worked together to make sure the valuable dogs had a safe and secure place to ride out a potential flood threat.
“We are a close knit team and our dogs are very much a part of that. Some staff took up to four dogs into their homes, however, our Breeding Team supervisors who whelp our dogs were forced to stay in a motel room as their homes had also been evacuated,” Ms Laine said.
GDQ’s training centre has reopened on Wednesday morning with staff and all dogs now back on site.
“Our site remained unaffected overnight and ‘Pip’ is recovering well from her surgery. She was excited to wake to her litter of five boys and three girls, and is now getting on with being a brilliant mum,” Ms Laine said.
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Breeding and Training Centre
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