Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc  Question:
I am having some confusion over the cord cutting thing. Some places I am reading "surgical scissors" and other places I am reading dull childrens scissors. Can the cords be cut with any sharpness?
Also, if mom doesn't push out the placenta....how long should you wait and then get it out yourself....and how is the best way to go about removing it?
My biggest fear is a second puppy exiting while first puppy's placenta is still inside  |
I have whelped many many litters and I can tell you that many times you might not see all the placentas. My husband and I work together delivering the pups and he just cuts the cord with a sharp pair of surgical scissors and he then pinches the cord and we tie it off with dental floss. Many times I have just torn the cord using my finger nails, similar to how the momma would do if she was cutting it with her teeth. Some people like to clamp the cord and then cut it. No matter which way you choose you need to make sure the puppy's cord not bleeding too much. Many times the placenta will not release. You do not want to pull real hard on the placenta cord because it needs to come out naturally. Sometimes I have delivered several pups before a placenta comes out. Once all the pups are born, their nursing will help stimulate the moms uterus so the mom will continue to have contractions and she should eventually expel all the placentas. Many breeders recommend a cleanout shot (oxytocin) after the mom is through.