There is no better feeling in the world than adopting a pup in need. Walking into a shelter and seeing all those adorable faces, and then taking one home to live its best life by your side, is truly incredible. That’s exactly what Haley Houghmaster did after falling in love with a sweet Australian Shepherd/border collie mix named Salem at her local shelter in Memphis. After signing the paperwork, she took Salem home, unaware that another puppy was hiding nearby.
The Cutest Surprise
After allowing Salem some time to adjust to her new home, Houghmaster took her to necessary vet appointments, including a spay appointment. To their surprise, once the vets put her under anesthesia and made the incision, they discovered that Salem was heavily pregnant. Houghmaster later commented, “Found out at spay appt [appointment] that my new rescue dog is pregnant with one puppy,” in a Reddit post.
The vets explained the situation and asked if Houghmaster wanted to terminate the pregnancy. Aware of the risks to Salem’s health and knowing that it was only one puppy, she decided to proceed. “We are very excited and praying for a healthy puppy and an uneventful delivery,” Houghmaster told Newsweek.
Just a week after this surprising revelation, Salem gave birth to a beautiful puppy. Since then, the owners have taken excellent care of the little family, providing them with a warm home, nutritious food, and all the love they could wish for.
Single-Puppy Pregnancy
Single-puppy pregnancy, or singleton pregnancy, occurs when a dog is pregnant with only one puppy. While uncommon, it can happen due to various factors, including low ovulation counts, where the dog releases only one viable egg during her heat cycle, or fertilization issues and certain genetic conditions.
It is important to consider the associated risks, such as dystocia—where the single puppy may grow too large for natural delivery—delayed labor due to insufficient hormonal cues, and potential impacts on the puppy’s social development due to the absence of littermates. Thus, adequate intervention and socialization from the owners are necessary. While singleton pregnancies can be straightforward, there are essential factors to keep in mind. Always consult your vet for the best advice!
