Eek! non expected puppies! help please people!

[Maxy24]

Well,im sorry I just can't abort them,don't get mad,please.
However, all puppies will be nuetered and the mom will be spayed ASAP.
Once again thanks for the advice,We really aprreciate it.

Ok just make sure she does not get spayed until she weans the pups. So is she four weeks now or was that a while ago? She needs to be on puppy food what do you have her on now? And then there is the matter of a whelping box which I hope others will help you with. There are a few threads that show pics of them so if you do a search then you might find them. You can make one or but one that needs to be assembled but like I said make sure it has a bar or soem sort of ledge/barrier on the inside so that the pups can go under it and when the mom leans against the all she won't crush them.

 

[*Jazzy~Jessie*]

Well,She's on adult wet food at the moment,sometimes with a bit of meat mixed in.Do I start giving her puppy formula now?
I knew what a whelping box was previously,but ive no idea how to construct one,I'll leave that to the boyfriend .

 

[J's crew]

I don't have alot of time right now but after skim reading these post's I just wanted to let you know that not all rescue's recommend or have emergency spay's at 4 weeks into a pregnancy. I would never consider it myself, nor would many rescue's I know.

 

[Spiritus]

You can use a child's plastic pool for a whelping box. They're light, and easy to keep clean. You will need paper - lots and lots of paper. Whelping puppies is messy - lots of fluid. I go to my newspaper publisher and purchase roll-ends so I don't have to deal with the ink.

 

[Maxy24]

Well,She's on adult wet food at the moment,sometimes with a bit of meat mixed in.Do I start giving her puppy formula now?

Yes that would be best, it has more calories. She would have to be on it until she weans the pups. What brand do you feed or what brand will you feed if you switch to puppy food. There are lots of suggestions on food brands in the food section.

 

[ravennr]

You might be against abortion for animals, but the complications from a whelp can kill a mother. It happens more often than in humans, more problems can occur more rapidly without any notice.
Letting her have the litter is potentially killing her. And trust me, those puppies have no idea they are even real or living and she doesn't know they are either. Her changes in emotion are natural, not because she knows what's going on.
But if you're still against it no matter how much information is given, regardless of this dog's situation, then, I'm sorry you feel that way.

For the sake of the puppies and the mother, I hope this is an extremely small litter, and not the typical shepherd-sized litter they are notorious for having.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Well, first of all - kudos to you for adopting this dog and for accepting this further responsibility.

While I, too, would encourage you to do a spay on her now it's pretty obvious that you won't do that. I do hope that the bitch doesn't run into problems during whelping. German shepherds can easily have 8-10 pups. If the bitch were to die during whelping, you will be stuck hand-raising these pups. I've done this, and it's HARD. We fed every two hours. It was not just a matter of feeding the pups .. then they had to be wiped to stimulate urination and defecation, then cleaned up and the box cleaned and all that. They had to be kept warm and dry. As they grew, the feedings spaced out a bit more but it got MUCH more messy. We were sleep-deprived for weeks. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone - and if you're working, it will definitely affect your work ability.

I really recommend that you do some google searches for "whelping puppies" or "dog pregnancy" as you can find some great articles explaining the entire procedure and what to do. I believe there's a post on building a whelping box at the top of this section, and I've found other articles online that describe various boxes. You need to stock up now on paper, towels, iodine, and various supplies. You can find more information on what you'll need with a search online.

You'll probably want to line up potential homes for at least 8 puppies. Keep in mind that many times people say "yes, I want one!" and then when the time comes they decide they can't take a pup. Finding responsible homes that can afford to take proper care of a puppy and who will make the dog part of their family and not just tie it outdoors can be tough too. Many people don't realize the commitment it takes with a shepherd. They need socialization and training and they shed 365 days a year. It's important that those who may want a puppy now understand that they're taking on a 12-14 year commitment.

Just one last thing about the abortion issue .. while I know that you are opposed to the concept, in all honesty it is more kind to the pups to not be born than to live a life of misery or a life being passed around. The majority of dogs do not find their "forever" home as pups. By making the choice to allow these pups to be born, you're accepting the responsibility for every bit of pain, discomfort, hunger, and sadness that these dogs will experience for the next 12-14 years. That's a huge responsibility. If you really think that you want to carry that burden (and the knowledge of that burden for the rest of your life) then allow these pups to be born with that full knowledge.

Good luck to you and good luck to the bitch -

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[vanillasugar]

You're definatley in a tough situation, and please know that the members of this forum are very knowledgeable and very helpful, and will be here to support you whatever comes of this (though some advice may not be easy to hear).

I too have to side with the "spay her" option. Please hear my reason why. Your dog may potentially have 10 or so pups. That's 10 or so HOMES. Homes that will not go to puppies or dogs already living in shelters, waiting. Dogs and puppies that are at risk of being killed because those homes aren't available. So which dogs should be saved? Those who aren't born yet, or those who are already out there waiting?

Is it fair to bring these puppies into the world and kill dogs already here?

 

[bubbatd]

It hurt me terribly to abort a whelp once ............... but for the love of the breed and my female , I felt it best .

 

[happyhound]

I always find it weird when people try to anthropomorphize pets. I don't believe they form a lifetime bond with their young the second they are born (or in utero for that matter) like people. Your moral beliefs mean nothing to this dog.

I also think it is ludicrous to spend savings (assuming that is what a building society is) on a litter of mutts with no guaranteed future.

I guess you can look at it this way ... the pregnancy can be aborted now or their lives will be "aborted" at a shelter (after they have had a "chance to experience life" and shelter $$ goes toward the dog).

 

[Cheetah]

Everyone has given great whelping etc. advice... The only thing I could add is that you could maybe write up a contract for all the prospective adopters. And screen the crap out of each person. Maybe write up a questionnaire When I wanted to buy Shippo, his breeder screened me like crazy (and I did the same to her) and we signed a contract saying that he will not be mistreated, he WILL be neutered, and that I'd return him to her if I couldn't keep him. If I breach the contract, she can sue my pants off... >^^;<

But it would help insure good homes for the pups. It's great that you plan on fixing them all. That will insure that the new owners can't breed them and add even more dogs to the world lol...

 

[RD]

Good GOD, people, ease up on her.

If I adopted a dog that was pregnant, i would not be able to abort the puppies. I'm sorry, I just don't see a need to terminate their lives if I can find homes for them. Yes, shelter dogs are going to die if people get these puppies in place of the shelter dogs. Shelter dogs also die when people adopt other shelter dogs or rescue dogs instead. Why is a shelter dog's life worth more than that of an unborn puppy? It has nothing to do with anthropomorphism, it has everything to do with not wanting to kill the puppies. It's a really crappy decision to have to make and I respect her decision either way.

And please don't show me photos of dogs in shelters. I know what's in shelters, I volunteer at one 5x/week.

I think at this point her choice has been made clear, why not focus our energy on helping Jazzy learn about whelping and raising puppies, as well as finding the right homes for them? Cheetah's idea of a contract is a great one.

 

[Sapphire-Light]

Good GOD, people, ease up on her.

If I adopted a dog that was pregnant, i would not be able to abort the puppies. I'm sorry, I just don't see a need to terminate their lives if I can find homes for them. Yes, shelter dogs are going to die if people get these puppies in place of the shelter dogs. Shelter dogs also die when people adopt other shelter dogs or rescue dogs instead. Why is a shelter dog's life worth more than that of an unborn puppy? It has nothing to do with anthropomorphism, it has everything to do with not wanting to kill the puppies. It's a really crappy decision to have to make and I respect her decision either way.

And please don't show me photos of dogs in shelters. I know what's in shelters, I volunteer at one 5x/week.

I think at this point her choice has been made clear, why not focus our energy on helping Jazzy learn about whelping and raising puppies, as well as finding the right homes for them? Cheetah's idea of a contract is a great one.

I agree whit you

The only way I could see on aborting puppies is if the mom is really sick or too weak and giving birth could risk her life.

For example many years ago one of my cousin had a pittbull (now the breed is baned here) and the bitch had 7 months old, and a malinois/ german shepperd mix got her pregnant.

But since she was reallly small and she still had a puppy body she died whit alll the puppies trying to give birth since the puppies where too big and many

I am against the aborting of human children, but with dogs it's different. Children are always wanted, if not by the woman carrying them, then by people who are unable to have children themselves. We don't drop children off at shelters to end up being put to sleep.

But since you are that against it, you have a very big responsibility both to the mom and to the pups. You have a lot of research to do about whelping and raising puppies, and you have to start looking for homes - SCREENING those homes, placing pups on spay/neuter contracts, or even better yet, finding a vet who will do early spay/neuter and having them altered before they leave for their new homes. Choosing to let your bitch have these puppies means that you are responsible for these puppies until the day they die. That could mean 15 years of responsibility....

I hate to say it, but living in a poor country this is not completly real.

You can easily see kids in the street droped by iresponsable parrents, and most of them do drugs whit a type of glue.

In the newspapers they are many news about idiot mothers killing the un-born child, or killing them afther they born.

This is the nasty and horrible facs.

But true is even if they put on adoption the kids are not killed.

 

[adojrts]

I tend to agree, the deed is done and her mind is made up, so excellent advice and support is what is needed.
Such a shame that the shelter that she adopted the dog from failed in the first place to spay before letting her go to a new home.

Take care
Lynn

 

[*Jazzy~Jessie*]

Thank you RD!
I was starting to wonder If I should of even asked for advice by the way the rest of you guys were slaughtering me there.Not to say you didn't give phenomenal advice,But just ease up a bit,mkay?
We are all aware of the shelter situation,but some people tend to be a bit harsh,which scare some people out of asking for help,which means the dog is in an even worse situation than it could have been if you were a tad nicer and supportive.
Im not trying to start an argument,just saying a few pointers there.

Anyway back to the puppies.
I've handed out a few flyers today saying for any keen adopters to ring or email us,1 reply so far,and I'll go round and view their home sometime next week.
8-10 puppies huh? Woah.Well,ive got 2 homes from close friends and family,and that guy I mentioned above,and I might keep 2 myself,If no-one sutible wants them.

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

Be very cautious when looking for homes. Be sure to do a home visit (where you go to a person's house to make sure they don’t have tons of animals who aren’t taken care of, make sure their fence is secure, exc), make an application (I can send you an example of ours if you want). Screen very carefully. You want these dogs in a great home. Also, make SURE you get a vet reference. Call vet reference and make sure their animals have been well taken care of. I have denied many an application due to a poor vet reference. I think you also said that you were going to spay/neuter them before they left (which is great). I would suggest asking the adopters to put a deposit down on the pups before they are old enough, so you can pay the spay/neuter costs. Lots of rescues do this.

I again will suggest that you contact your local GSD rescue; they might be willing to list the dogs for you or allow you to attend adoption events with them when the pups are old enough. And go with your gut, if you don’t like someone but can’t figure out why not, don’t let them have a puppy! Gut feelings are usually right.

A contract is a must. Again, I have a copy of one if you would like to see how it is worded. It’s just saying if the dog doesn’t work out it will be returned to you.

I wasn’t being mean, or harsh-only realistic. It's a sad, sad world out there. I wish it was different but it’s not. But you have made up your mind, so just be really careful who gets the puppies & make sure you are 100% comfortable with the families..Dont be afraid to turn people down.

 

[Fruit bat]

t. Children are always wanted, if not by the woman carrying them, then by people who are unable to have children themselves. We don't drop children off at shelters to end up being put to sleep.


Think so ???? You should see the reports on Child Haven here in Las Vegas. It's exactly like the local shelter. There are three uninvestigated deaths That I have heard about.and there is finally enough public outcry to get something done. And orphananages have always been overcrowded and children suffer.


Any way good luck with your puppies. TRY NOT TO WORRY. Read up a little on what to watch for and most likely your dog will do fine.She will probably handle the rest.

 

[joce]

Be very carefull find ing the pups homes-I have been hearing about a lot of free and cheap dogs getting snatched up lately. Really makes me worry about were they are going seeing some of the articels on line I ahve lately.

 

[Sapphire-Light]

I found two links that could help you whit the puppies.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/whelping.html
http://www.sharpeis.net/breeding.htm

When you are cleaning the puppies try to not over clean them, I heard that some female dogs don't reconise they puppies if most of the smell (comming from her in the puppies) is taken off. and they could refuse to accep them or can kill them.
Mostly if they are by cesaria.

 

[Saje]

Ok this person is obviously knew to dogs and doesn't have any experience with whelping. She is trying to do the right thing. She got the dog from a shelter. Not all shelters spay/neutered. My Mikey and Nanook had to be done after I got them and they were from a town shelter. That's a non-issue. She knows she needs to get her spayed after.

Obviously, she cares about her dog. But she has a lot to learn. The issue of aborting is a very personal one. Not even all regular chazzers agree. I do think it would probably be the best but if she's not willing why push it? Instead lets help her handle it from here on in.

Now what does she need to do next?