Just for anyone else whelping....You need to get pups well aspirated immediately after birth..there are links posted all over here to whelping sites with methods for flinging and bulb aspiration.
as for the cords...I usually just use my (well scrubbed and I mean surgically well ) thumbnail to crush/shred and hold the cord pinched between my thumbnail and forefinger held up against the pups belly. I allow the mom to chew the cord up to my thumbnail, but she can't get close enough to damage the pup by chewing too close and the tight grip keeps her from tugging too much and causing umbilical hernia. I use my other hand to rub the pup to stimulate. When the pup is released from the cord.... keeping pup's head down to drain fluids during this process...I will clamp the remainder of the cord if it is still bleeding (usually it's not) and work on getting good breaths. If the placenta is still not delivered before pup is off cord...I use a second clamp on the cord that is exposed from the mom's vulva so I can help her deliver the placenta after I get the pup going if she needs assistance.
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Stacy and the crew |