Whelping

[bwjohn]

To all,
I will be whelping my first litter in early July, looking for advice on best practices for whelping?

things to have before, during and after the litter. Could expand into vaccination schedules afterwords, times to do dew claws and tail docks, etc.

looking for any practical or text book info that you would like to give.

thank you in advance,
brandon

[GRIFF MAN]

A good resource book is Phyllis Hoist book "Canine reproduction: the breeders book"

Answers alot of questions and is a source of info to have on hand when things start to happen and you can't remember what you read weeks before.

Have a good vet on hand and have them aware of whats happening. It's always comforting to know you have a vet available for questions or when things don't go well.

Stay calm and let mother nature do its job.

It is not for the faint of heart, but well worth it when it is over.

GMan

[Misskiwi67]

Pregnant Dog Care: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... 0&EVetID=0

Whelping (with video!) http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... &C=0&A=678

The recommendation to do the X-ray for a puppy count 3 weeks before whelping is incorrect. Puppy skeletons are not visible that early in pregnancy. I recommend an X-ray at 55 days.

[STait]

I've learned to skip the ultrasound and do the x-ray on day 57-58. Just for peace of mind it's nice to know how many are coming.

[3drahthaars]

A good resource book is Phyllis Hoist book "Canine reproduction: the breeders book"

Answers alot of questions and is a source of info to have on hand when things start to happen and you can't remember what you read weeks before.

Have a good vet on hand and have them aware of whats happening. It's always comforting to know you have a vet available for questions or when things don't go well.

Stay calm and let mother nature do its job.

It is not for the faint of heart, but well worth it when it is over.

GMan

X2 on Holst's book and the rest.

Only addition is to not let the bitch cut the cord. Tie off, clamp two hemostats and twist to break... I think that may actually be in the book.

Good luck,
3ds

[STait]

Not to be antagonistic, but I've had 5 litters in the last two years. Never helped with a single cord. All three of my females whelped their own pups except for one last pup the one female struggled with. I took her to my reproductive vet at 2:00 am on July 4th and he gave her a couple of injections and the pup came right out.

Holst's book is very good, as well as a lot of good internet info.

Good luck, Steve

[SMAbby]

A lot of good reading for you above. But there is one tool that I just love. It is the Deelee mucus trap. Lets you clear the pups throat without swinging. You put one end in the pups mouth and suck on the other end. Helps if you have a slow starter or whatever.

http://www.lapdog.co.nz/proddetail.php?prod=WSDLMT

Also, having Nutracal on hand is good for slow pups. Some kind of calcium for mom. Vanilla Ice cream or tums etc. I normally give it after the whelping is done.

[hicntry]

Put the whelping box outside in a safe spot. I didn't do the dew claws because dogs actually used them contrary to popular belief. Do the tails at 3 to 5 days. Let mom do the whelping and, after the tails, leave mom and the pups undisturbed until they are walking. Don't look at em, don't handle them. This insures that the pups you end up with are the strong and healthy. Or, keep em in the house and handle them from day one so they will all look the same and you can't tell what you have. It is a choice you have.

[hicntry]

One thin g I failed to mention.....if using my method keep an eye out for the first born. Many times a first ti me bitch thinks she has to squat and relieve herself and will leave the first pup laying on the ground with her wondering why that BM is moving. You got to pick that first one up and put it in the whelping box.