Close to Whelping time, Do I have everything?

Ok, so I have done all the proper things in getting my girl ready for puppies including OFA,CERF,Heart, and Thyroid. Ch Sire and *****. She is day 59 today.





Have been taking her temp now 3x a day and no drop yet. I expect her to whelp over the weekend. Here is what I have ready.





Whelping Box with pig rail.


old blankets %26amp; old towels to rub down pups


puppy wee pads for the under the dam


dental floss and scissors for the cords


suction thingy


puppy formula and 1 bottle (insurance ;-0)


hot water bottle


nice quiet room with adequate heat.


calcium tablets for after she whelps


beef liver for after whelping ( I was told by my mentor to feed it raw)


directions for the 24 hour vet incase of complications after hours.





twin size mattress for me to sleep on.


Is there anything else I forgot?





She was bred on Dec 23 and 24th natural ties. Saw 4 pups on U/S but I think there may be 1-2 more. Bouv's usually have 6-8.


Bella is doing fine and pups move alot!





Lisa

Close to Whelping time, Do I have everything?
"Ready" box complete with hot water bottle just in case you have to make a dash to the ER vet with dam and pups.





Hair dryer- after I towel the pups off.. I dry them and hand back to mom.





Hemostats- clamp off a too short umbilicus (not necessary but great to have on hand).. then you can tie it (also handy when the dam decides she's going to have 3 pups in 5 minutes).





I wouldn't bother with the wee pads under the dam.. I use about 40-50 layers of newspapers (so I can pull up a few layers as needed) and a ton of towels then I just do laundry.





Edit: My favorite book- The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies by Muriel Lee... has a great explanation of slinging.
Reply:Yup looks like you've got everything covered. Check the link below to double-check.
Reply:Sounds to me like you did a lot of research to prepare for the puppies. I think you have everything you need. Not only have directions for the vet, but have a number and a phone right next to you in case you need to have him help coach you through the birth or if you have any concerns.. Congratulations on your new pups (when they're born lol).
Reply:Sounds like you have it all. How about some Valium for you? lol, you sound so excited ! You also sound like a loving dog owner. How great that she has you. She will do the work, you just have to offer support, and a helping hand if she runs into trouble. My worry wart sheltie/border collie had 8 and I only had to resuscitate one of them. She was a wonderful birth mom, and great mom for her babes. They just need our support and kind words.
Reply:You are very organised! I think you have thought of everything. Good luck with the whelping. I have been "midwife" to 8 litters of Standard Poodles over the years and have encountered few problems. Most dogs, especially large breeds, tend to have no problems whelping, but it's good to be prepared. Lucky you, love that "puppy breath"
Reply:Vet's number on speed dial.


Mentor's number on speed dial. Or better yet, can someone experienced come sit with you? I had someone come help me deliver my first litter, their help was invaluable.





Baby scale.





MORE towels. There is no such thing as too many.





Do you have a good book or two on the subject? I usually sit and re-read them while I'm waiting for pups to appear.





This one is very good:


http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?I...
Reply:I like kitchen towel sized towels for rubbing down puppies - not too much bulk to get in the way. And the rough towels stimulate them better.





Sounds like you're as ready as you can get. Keep the coffee maker ready... although the excitement may keep you awake just fine. :)





I use goat's milk instead of a manufactured milk replacement, but that's the only thing I'd change, and it's really a personal preference.
Reply:Sounds like you have everything in order,but pups will need to nurse off of Mom in order to get the antibioties to fight off infection especially for the first three days and thereon if at all possible.Do you know what to do in case the pups come breech birth intead of head first? If not please make sure you check on this.Your Mom expecting should have been placed on the calicum tablets 1 week in advance of whelping the pups.I also always put my pups on a heating pad set on low setting as the pups are being born,this way the pups don't get chilled.Good luck with your new litter.