last minute advice??
- Thread starter Mach1girl
- Start date
R
You need an experienced mentor.
If you are not keeping a temp chart, now is the time to start.
Prepare everything in the whelping room.
At 8 days out you should be able to see and feel the puppies move, and if you have a stethoscope, you should be able to hear heartbeats.
Contact your vet immediately if you see anything other than a crystal clear discharge.
If you are not keeping a temp chart, now is the time to start.
Prepare everything in the whelping room.
At 8 days out you should be able to see and feel the puppies move, and if you have a stethoscope, you should be able to hear heartbeats.
Contact your vet immediately if you see anything other than a crystal clear discharge.
Temp chart starts today. Milk started last night. Whelping kit is ready. Nervous about a still born though. yes I can feel the puppies, at night they literally go crazy in there!They make her jump!!
Crystal clear discharge...even just beofre the pups come? I know if it is grenn or yellow there is a problem. What if it is bloody? That's not normal?? Noo discharge yet.
Her temp was still 101 this a.m., but she kept "sitting" every few steps. That's why I took her temp, and there was no discharge. I called and took her to the vet last night just for a check up. She is fine.
The still born still worries me some. OMG!
Red-Want to be my mentor??
hahaha.
Thanks, Stephanie
Crystal clear discharge...even just beofre the pups come? I know if it is grenn or yellow there is a problem. What if it is bloody? That's not normal?? Noo discharge yet.
Her temp was still 101 this a.m., but she kept "sitting" every few steps. That's why I took her temp, and there was no discharge. I called and took her to the vet last night just for a check up. She is fine.
The still born still worries me some. OMG!
Red-Want to be my mentor??
hahaha.
Thanks, Stephanie
R
A temp of 101 is not normal for a bitch within one week of delivery.
You should be using a digital thermometer and taking her temp at least twice per day, and 3X is better.
Most bitches are at or near 100 or less during the last week.
You should see NOTHING except crystal clear odorless discharge until labor starts. Anything else, get to the vet.
During whelping a dark green and bloody discharge is normal. The hemoglobin in the placentas breaks down and turns a rich deep dark green. Be aware this stuff permanently stains anything it touches that is not impermeable.
If you can't take the thought or the reality of a dead puppy, you are likely to have a very unpleasant experience.
Breeding realities involve new life and oftentimes death. It's simple fact.
Keep the temp chart going. I take the temp twice per day after the whelping for at least a week to make sure there are no uterine issues going on.
What do you have prepared in the whelping area?
You should be using a digital thermometer and taking her temp at least twice per day, and 3X is better.
Most bitches are at or near 100 or less during the last week.
You should see NOTHING except crystal clear odorless discharge until labor starts. Anything else, get to the vet.
During whelping a dark green and bloody discharge is normal. The hemoglobin in the placentas breaks down and turns a rich deep dark green. Be aware this stuff permanently stains anything it touches that is not impermeable.
If you can't take the thought or the reality of a dead puppy, you are likely to have a very unpleasant experience.
Breeding realities involve new life and oftentimes death. It's simple fact.
Keep the temp chart going. I take the temp twice per day after the whelping for at least a week to make sure there are no uterine issues going on.
What do you have prepared in the whelping area?
If a pup doesn't breath on it's own, cradle it gentle in your hands and do a downward swing to try to clear fluids. Make sure you support the head well. I had a pup once that when whelped, his Mom knew something was wrong and didn't work with him. I did the above bit and mouth to mouth. He came around, but couldn't nurse... I had to have him put down .I hope you have a good book ! ( " How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With " !)
Ok, I have lots and lots of towels(I know, still not nough!) I have a bulb syringe, heating pad just in case as well as a dryer(To assist w/ stimulation if needed) scissors, dental floss, stethoscope and Karo Syrup, because I heard weak pups will get energey from a drop of karo. Thermometor, and I still should get styptic powder, dont ya think?? I have a whelping box, AND a mattress I want to place in front of the box, because I'd hate for her to try and come out the box w/ pups hanging on her, they fall off and get hurt. We have ALL tile floors. I also got my digi camersa and something to write so I can record what I need to as they come. I have a scale, not too accurate so I guess I better get a new one. Would it hurt to actually write w/ something, like make a number or mark on each pup to remember their order? I have heard of people numbering their bellies for a few days. Maybe the camera will be enough.
I also printed a temp chart. Funny, it sayd the temp will rise periodically 12 to 24 hours before she starts, uh oh. I better go home and check her at lunch. If she makes it till Sunday, we should be ok.
I also printed a temp chart. Funny, it sayd the temp will rise periodically 12 to 24 hours before she starts, uh oh. I better go home and check her at lunch. If she makes it till Sunday, we should be ok.
R
You definitely need an accurate scale. One that measures ounces or grams.
Do not cut cords. No need to tie them either. If the bitch does not take care of them, or you need to cut one, mash and shred it with your thumbnails, oir crush it with hemostats and tear it. Cutting will allow bleeding, and leave a pathway for infection to go in. Crushing seals it off, stops bleeding, and closes the inward pathway. No need to tie them either. Some people add a drop of disinfectant. I never have. Whelping is not intended to be a sterile experience.
Use yarn or ribbon to ID the puppies if they are not marked clearly enough. I use yarn at first, and then ribbon. This way you can see at a glance who is on top of who in the box, or who is nursing first, or stealing all the toys, or who is always over in the corner.
Weigh each puppy at birth after you dry and stimulate the puppy. The bitch should do a pretty good job of it, but if you have a slow puppy, it needs rough toweling to help it get started. Use a pen light and check each puppy for cleft palate. Use a thermometer and ky and check that each puppy has an open anus. Stimulate each puppy's rectum to make sure they have gotten rid of the meconium. Write on a card each puppy's birth weight, time, and any other particulars.
Get a good laundry basket, and when whelping starts, put the heating pad in the bottom of it, and cover it with some towels, and put a towel over the top. Each time another puppy is coming, gather up those that are already here and put them in the basket. This way they are not in the way, and you and mom can concentrate on the one that is coming. Once the next one has arrived, but them all back on mom. Encourage nursing. Nursing causes the release of natural oxytocin and stimulates labor and uterine contractions.
Call your vet if:
The bitch is pushing for more than 45 mins and has not presented a puppy
There is more than 3 hours between puppies and you know there is more in there
Walking can also stimulate labor if it appears to be stopped. Walk her ON LEASH, and take towels with you. Pupppies can appear in an instant, and many bitches will take off to find their own secluded area if they are not on leash. If it's dark make sure you take a flashlight and keep a close eye on her.
When puppies are born, the first thing to do is to clear the head of membranes. If you have to do it yourself, hold the puppy head DOWN, and get all the membranes off with a towel. ROUGHLY towel dry the puppy. You want them to squeak in protest if possible.
If your bitch wants to clean the puppies herself and eat the placentas, let her. Offer her broth during whelping for liquids and energy. Lots of girls like vanilla ice cream too. Plenty of fat, and sugar for quick energy.
I could probaly keep writing all day about what can happen and what to do, but these are a few things you can take care of.
Do not cut cords. No need to tie them either. If the bitch does not take care of them, or you need to cut one, mash and shred it with your thumbnails, oir crush it with hemostats and tear it. Cutting will allow bleeding, and leave a pathway for infection to go in. Crushing seals it off, stops bleeding, and closes the inward pathway. No need to tie them either. Some people add a drop of disinfectant. I never have. Whelping is not intended to be a sterile experience.
Use yarn or ribbon to ID the puppies if they are not marked clearly enough. I use yarn at first, and then ribbon. This way you can see at a glance who is on top of who in the box, or who is nursing first, or stealing all the toys, or who is always over in the corner.
Weigh each puppy at birth after you dry and stimulate the puppy. The bitch should do a pretty good job of it, but if you have a slow puppy, it needs rough toweling to help it get started. Use a pen light and check each puppy for cleft palate. Use a thermometer and ky and check that each puppy has an open anus. Stimulate each puppy's rectum to make sure they have gotten rid of the meconium. Write on a card each puppy's birth weight, time, and any other particulars.
Get a good laundry basket, and when whelping starts, put the heating pad in the bottom of it, and cover it with some towels, and put a towel over the top. Each time another puppy is coming, gather up those that are already here and put them in the basket. This way they are not in the way, and you and mom can concentrate on the one that is coming. Once the next one has arrived, but them all back on mom. Encourage nursing. Nursing causes the release of natural oxytocin and stimulates labor and uterine contractions.
Call your vet if:
The bitch is pushing for more than 45 mins and has not presented a puppy
There is more than 3 hours between puppies and you know there is more in there
Walking can also stimulate labor if it appears to be stopped. Walk her ON LEASH, and take towels with you. Pupppies can appear in an instant, and many bitches will take off to find their own secluded area if they are not on leash. If it's dark make sure you take a flashlight and keep a close eye on her.
When puppies are born, the first thing to do is to clear the head of membranes. If you have to do it yourself, hold the puppy head DOWN, and get all the membranes off with a towel. ROUGHLY towel dry the puppy. You want them to squeak in protest if possible.
If your bitch wants to clean the puppies herself and eat the placentas, let her. Offer her broth during whelping for liquids and energy. Lots of girls like vanilla ice cream too. Plenty of fat, and sugar for quick energy.
I could probaly keep writing all day about what can happen and what to do, but these are a few things you can take care of.
R
One more thing.
Whelping is a MESSY experience. Lots of fluids, blood, green discharge, membranes, etc.
I usually line the whelping box with MANY layers of newspaper. After each puppy I remove the soaked papers. Once all the puppies are born, I remove ALL the newspapers, and put down a piece of indoor outdoor carpet on top of which I put blankets and bedding I can wash. Puppies need a surface with good traction to grow up on, and the box of course should be kept as clean as possible. This is pretty easy the first 3 weeks when the bitch is doing the cleaning up. IT's less easy after 3 weeks when you take over the duties.
You should also keep a very close eye on your bitch. Some bully bitches will kill, eat, or othewise savage puppies. Just because she does not do this at birth does not mean it can't happen. I would not leave her unsupervised with the puppies AT ALL if you can help it until after 3 weeks.
Whelping is a MESSY experience. Lots of fluids, blood, green discharge, membranes, etc.
I usually line the whelping box with MANY layers of newspaper. After each puppy I remove the soaked papers. Once all the puppies are born, I remove ALL the newspapers, and put down a piece of indoor outdoor carpet on top of which I put blankets and bedding I can wash. Puppies need a surface with good traction to grow up on, and the box of course should be kept as clean as possible. This is pretty easy the first 3 weeks when the bitch is doing the cleaning up. IT's less easy after 3 weeks when you take over the duties.
You should also keep a very close eye on your bitch. Some bully bitches will kill, eat, or othewise savage puppies. Just because she does not do this at birth does not mean it can't happen. I would not leave her unsupervised with the puppies AT ALL if you can help it until after 3 weeks.
Hi, I just got home and took Dixies temp again. But I stopped and bought a new thermometer because I was scared when red told me it shouldn't be that high. Just to make sure my ther. wasn't wrong, I bought a new one. Her temp right now is 99.3. I have a temp chart, I hope she makes it a few more days!
Ok, info well taken. It went back up to 99.9 about 10 minutes ago. I guess it fluctuates. I am staying home with her now, until she has them.Went and bought more papertowels earlier. She is very playful tonite, weird. But Im keeping her from roughhousing. Havent seen her play like this since it all began!
I'll keep ya up to date. If ya think of anything els, lemmie know.
If I have to tear apart the cord, how long should I leave it from the pups belly? I have gotten alot of advice on the cord, but no mentions of legnth.
I'll keep ya up to date. If ya think of anything els, lemmie know.
If I have to tear apart the cord, how long should I leave it from the pups belly? I have gotten alot of advice on the cord, but no mentions of legnth.
Thermometer read 99.9 both times I took her temp, am and pm. But she is not eating today.
pm reading was about 5 pm, but I want to check it before I go to bed again. Especially since it was so close to 99 yesterday.
Poor girl, lol, she doesnt even run, she actually turns for me to taker her temp, weird, my dog is weird!
pm reading was about 5 pm, but I want to check it before I go to bed again. Especially since it was so close to 99 yesterday.
Poor girl, lol, she doesnt even run, she actually turns for me to taker her temp, weird, my dog is weird!