Anyone had Puppies? Part 1

[Dorothy rouse]

Is it happening then? Think I keep missing things, having to use the ' big main forum site'?

If it is, think 3 puppies on Monday afternoon.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

For "God's" sake "Bess" get a shift on! Ya freaking everyone out!!!!!!!

[veggiechicken]

Do I look happy? I'm going as fast as I can .................

[Glutton4...]

^^^^B00000000bies!

[Greenleaves]

Looks like at least 6 VC.....puppies I mean

[Potstubsdustbins]

Think I can see the lumps too, looking good I would say.

[Creemteez]

Oh, VG!!! I turn my back for five minute sand look what happens! Now everyone, just all take a big, cleansing breath... Better?
Let me point out that I HAVEN'T READ ALL THE POSTS, so some of my advice may have been repeated, contradicted etc, but I HAVE acted as midwife to my lab when she gave birth to NINE pups having given me FOUR DAYS notice!! (It's a long tale, I won't bore you with it.)
Suffice to say, canine gestation is 63 days. I think the crate idea is a good one, though you want to make sure that you can reach her to help if required. A good sign that birth is imminent (IE a couple of days away is when she starts producing milk. (A little squeeze of a teat will produce a bead of milk - she won't mind) Her teats don't look that big in the picture, though it might be the angle of the dangle. Another sign is panting, digging and general restlessness. -As is throwing up. - they do this to empty their stomachs to reduce strain.
Have a basket lined with something soft and a hot water bottle to put pups in as they are born as Mum might not be interested in feeding them until she's had them all. Don't panic if this happens as my Lab actually lifted her lip at her pups until she'd finished giving birth - but she was totally devoted afterwards.)
One thing that IS VERY IMPORTANT is if to look out for and tremour-type head shaking. If she starts doing this contact a vet IMMEDIATELY as this is a sign of Calcium deficiency and CAN BE FATAL IF UNTREATED. - My bitch developed this and it was sheer luck that I had read up about possible birthing problems and realised what it was. I had to take the whole family to the vets in the car as he could not get out to me as he was in surgery, but felt it was important to see her as soon as possible!!!! . Poppy produced another pup in the boot of the car as we arrived at the vets and another on his doormat as we were leaving! It was quite a hectic day..
To be honest, you probably won't have to get too involved unless there is a problem. It might be a good idea to have a "Birthing partner" with a car on stand-by just in case.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion!!...Now ...about that drink.....

[roitelet]

Here's a few more of these I think you might need them!

Best of luck and hope it all goes smoothly.

[Thelma Sanders]

and a few more for good luck.............

[veggiechicken]

Thanks CT for the advice, and everyone for their contributions!
Bessie has just come in from the garden with one of those rawhide chews, that she buried about a week ago. She's not daft as it had softened and swollen in the soil and was much easier to eat.
Did someone say they go off their food ?

[Jeanied]

Lol - Petal loves those chews as well - but she waits for Rosie to chew them till they are soft then nicks them off her

[nellie-m]

I said mine never went off their food - probably because they never read the books

Any panting yet?
I know I get on your nerves but as soon as you see the puppies being carried low, or as soon as panting sets in, even if it's only in intervals at first, please please please don't let her go out off leash, and use a torch if it's dark so you always see what's going on. She will want to go out more often than usual, perhaps even a lot more as this is her first litter and she still has no idea what all those sensations inside her body mean.

Bessie knows how to keep her readers' tension up, doesn't she

[veggiechicken]

Morning All !!
No panting, don't think they're low, still running around and hungry. Stomach feeling firmer and movement more obvious.

Reader's tensions! - how do you think I feel.....................Where's those

[Nicos]

There ya go.....hope they help?

[alldigging]

You can have one and that's all.
Oh go on then if you insist

Are we there yet?