firt time whelping

[indup]

My 20 month old dog is going to have her first litter sometime next month. We live near a small town but instant vet access is not possible. Since this is my dog's first time, would she need any assistance or will her instinct guide her through the entire whelping? What should I expect as the day of whelping draws closer?

[tiffers]

Some dogs catch on fairly quickly, others aren't meant to be mothers.

You'll need to feed her puppy food right now, she needs a much nourishment as she can get. Also, the day her temperature drops to the lower 90's is the day she'll go into labor. She'll need a nesting box, somewhere to have the puppies. Whatever she gives birth on will stain...a disgusting stain, in fact. Also, only the mother and one person should have contact with those puppies for the first week or two. Try to leave her nesting box in one place, don't move it around because you think she's bored with it. If you notice she's in labor, and having active contractions and hasn't produced a puppy within the first hour an a half to two hours, she needs to see a vet ASAP for a possible c-section. Do you have any other questions? I've delivered lots of lots of puppies... :)

[lovecoton's]

Hi, We have been breeding our Cotons for only 4 yrs now. We are about to have 2 litters in Oct, one came into heat late & the other early - go figure!!

We had no real idea of the dogs the first time, horses we do very well!!! Multiple is differant, to say the least.

We had a wonderful mentor that stayed on the phone with us from across the Canadian country and helped us thru it all. He was so very wonderful and gave us a lot of support.

This meant so much to us that now when we have litters from our pups in other families we mentor them and talk to them whilst the birthing is taking place. Only once a vet had to be called, they hesitated but we said CALL them!!!

The one thing that we know for sure is that in 14 yrs of breeding equine, and 4 yrs to be of our wonderful canines is how important it is to be present at the birthing. We have had only 1 death and the vet told us it was not to be prevented, it was one of our mares. We have had a few problems along the way but nothing that vet over the phone assistance or common sense wasn't able to handle.

Being there at birthing gives you the upper hand to assist if necessary. Multiple births are very tiring!!!! One thing for sure the miracle of birth is something to behold. Each time it is new and exciting. To have that chance to experience it is a blessing.

Hope it all goes well for you and your girl. We have names of 5 of the 7 pups that we have spoken for, it is fun to rhymn them off when calling the moms!!!! Such fun, enjoy!!!!! Take care ;) Peggy

[lovecoton's]

Hi, sorry forgot to mention, we know when our gals are going into labor. One will vomit all over, feel so sorry for her, they usually don't have too much in their stomachs as they go off their food for a day or so before the birthing but the bile does stain!! The other gal piddles all over the place, as they move over the bladder we sure know it!!!

We make sure we have lots of towels and in between the births we change the towels so a dry one is down at each birth. Makes for dryer place for mom. :p Peggy

[indup]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the advice. Will make sure I make her as comfortable as possible and stay with her during the birthing. She has shed her hair on her stomach and her nipples have grown big. So we should be parents to a new set of babies soon. Will let you know how it all goes. Thanks again!

[Ltlpistol]

When Cookie went into labor, she spent several hours earlier in the afternoon squatting a little and straining, like trying to potty and not being able to. She wasn't upset or anything more like confused! LOL

Also, the first puppy was breach, I've heard my whole life that they alternate, butt first then head first with the next pup, etc. She walked in circles for about 10 minutes with me supporting the puppy's body until she had another contraction and pushed it the rest of the way out. She had one every half hour or so after that.

They shouldn't take more than an hour between pups either.

Congrats! Can't wait to see the babies pics!