Figure 2. Golden retriever pup after removal from its mother's uterus. Photo credit: Katherine Kennedy.

In dog breeds such as the golden retriever, the typical litter contains 4 to12 puppies. In rare cases, however, the mother can fall pregnant with only one offspring which gets referred to as a singleton pup. 

Singleton pups are usually quite large and are difficult to pass. This often leads to dystocia and the need for a cesarean section. 

This week, I had the opportunity to help deliver and recover a singleton pup (0.7 kg) by cesarean section (Figure 1). 

After the veterinarian had administered a sedative to the mother, surgical incisions were made in its abdomen and uterus. The neonate was then removed from the uterus (Figure 2) and sutures were used to close the incisions.