Impending Delivery

[blueparadise]

Hey, its blueparadise here. My dog is due around the 27th but she is starting to show signs of dialating. Is this normal for almost 2 weeks early? Her bottom is hanging lower and it is hard for her to get her hind end up sometimes, after sitting or lying down. I have not noticed any discharge and she is still eating. Any suggestions? Also is it not a good idea to worm her before the puppies are born to protect them from getting them? I heard that it was ok but I don't know what type to use.

Blue Paradise
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Mom to 8yr old Abby (yellow lab)
2yr old Belle (Bassett Hound) mom to be
Thumper (1 yr old rabbit)

[tiffers]

Panacur and Strongid-T are safe to give her while she's pregnant. We generally deworm that puppies at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 week, and 12 weeks. You can go ahead and deworm if you want to, but it isn't entirely necessary.

Bassett's bone structre stinks and they have big puppies, so it's more than likely that her hips can't support the weight of the puppies. Hopefully, after the weight is off, she'll be doing better in that aspect.

I would say don't worry until she's in active labor, with panting and contractions. It doesn't sound like she's going into labor soon to me...

You must certainly post pictures of those puppies that's for sure! I love bassetts. :D

[lindsayanng]

I'm sorry i'm no help in the birthing department, but i have to say, if my husband knew you were having basset puppies, he would be at your house exactly 8 weeks from their birthday to take one home.. he LOVES bassets you HAVE to post pictures for us!

[Ltlpistol]

My son would probably be right there with your husband Lindsay! He wants a bassett sooooo bad. But the apartment he's in won't let him have a pet.

[blueparadise]

Blue here again, no she shows no signs of labor but she is not eating as much as she was. We switched her food to a higher quality, high protein and she does not seem to like it as well as Alpo. Either that or she does not have any more room for food with the big load she is carrying. I hope she does not have toooo many or toooo big! They will all be up for adaption when the time comes. In Florida they won't let you sell or give away pups under 8 weeks, with 1st shots and vet check. I don't believe in taking them away from mom for at least 8-10 weeks. They will be well socialized with kids and other dogs. If my daughter has her way we would keep them all. She has plenty of milk no matter how many she has. We were not going to breed her yet. We wanted to wait until next heat but daddy dog had other ideas. THROUGH THE FENCE NO LESS! Will keep you posted on her progress.

Blue Paradise

[tiffers]

...I don't suggest Alpo dog food...ever. She really, really needs to be a on a high quality puppy food until the puppies are weaned. The eating less may certainly be that her stomach cannot hold as much because there is no room, you may be right there. You'll also need to talk to your vet about Calcium Supplementation, some vets recommend it, other's don't. Depends on when and where your vet graduated.

[Ltlpistol]

When a dog is in heat, they will go to any lengths to get 'em some! I had a friend who had a little male terrier type dog, and a purebred 150 lb doberman female. I swear I was there watching, when that girl (her name was Lady, no less) backed up to the bench of the picnic table so that boy could get to her! Through a fence would be a breeze for them, I would think! LOL

By the way, my birthday is the 27th, that will be a perfect day for puppies! :D

[blueparadise]

Yea, My birthday is the 25th and my best friends is the 24th. She will either wait until I am at work and my husband is here alone. (He wouldn't know what to do) or until we are all in bed asleep. My husband thinks it will be OK for her to be outside during delivery as they always had hunting dogs. I want her to be in the house so that I can keep an eye on her just in case something goes wrong. Alpo we give is generic (store brand), gravy kind. The food we switched her to was recommended by a friend. We bought it at a feed store and it is supposed to be higher in protien and nutrients for puppies and adult dogs. She and the other dog just don't seem to like it. Someone had mentioned to give them calcium (tums) during and after deliver. Someone else suggested an old time receipe (had not heard this one in many years) to feed them brewers yeast while lactating to help to produce more milk. I can remember when I had my first child, my doctor told me to drink 1 beer a day or to take brewers yeast. I don't drink beer, (tastes like horse pee smells):eek: . It seemed to work OK for that. Then with my second child I had so much milk I could have nursed a whole litter myself:o . LOL. Don't know what this was but she yelped real loud tonight like something hurt her but did not see anything unusual.

Blue Paradise

PS: With most everyone having spring break real soon, check out my website: blueparadisetravel.joystar.com. Summer prices are cheap now too. We won't be going anywhere any time soon with pups and all.:cool: