Dr. Theresa Beachler was celebrating a special Mother’s Day last Sunday.
Sons Jack and Colton had homemade cards and a cake awaiting the Iowa State assistant professor when she returned home from routine patient care in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s equine Theriogenology Service earlier that day.
That’s when Mother’s Day became even more special.
Beachler and the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center medical team were soon racing from one patient to another, delivering not only a foal but a puppy as well.
Gigi, a five-year-old Spinone Italian dog, had been bred at Iowa State with frozen semen producing a three-puppy litter. The first two puppies were born at home without complications but when the period between the second and third puppy extended to over two hours, Gigi’s owners brought her to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center for evaluation.
“When we examined Gigi, the puppy was in significant distress and we proceeded to an emergency C-section,” Beachler said.
During preparation for this surgery, a mare at the ISU Horse Barn arrived at the hospital experiencing a dystocia.
Since Beachler couldn’t be in two places at the same time, Dr. Tressa Reiner, theriogenology resident, the anesthesia team and fourth-year students proceeded with Gigi’s surgery. Beachler meantime assisted Kristella, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare, deliver her foal.
“As soon as the foal was delivered, I ran back to the small animal hospital just as Dr. Reiner delivered the last puppy,” Beachler said.
The puppy needed to be resuscitated by Beachler and the fourth-year students while Reiner continued with Gigi’s surgery.
“The last puppy needed a little assistance but ultimately did very well and all went home,” Beachler said. “Both mom and the pups are happy and well.”
The same can be said about the foal.
“The foal was immediately cared for by the equine medicine and emergency service and have also responded well,” Beachler said. “He is currently with his mom continuing care with the Equine medicine service.”
Beachler says dystocias are typically a full team affair both on the equine and small animal side. A variety of service teams were involved in both procedures including Equine Theriogenology, Equine Emergency, Equine Medicine, Anesthesia, and Surgery.
“It was unique to have both happen exactly at the same time, but it’s not completely unheard of,” Beachler said.
“It was a true Mother’s Day special.”
May 2026
