Whelping Supplies

[Sparklesmom]

Hello everyone,

I was just getting everything together for Sparkles 1st litter and was wondering if anyone had a list of things that they keep handy during whelping. This is going to be our first litter and I have been doing a lot of research online and thought I would put the question here as well. My husband is building the whelping box for us and putting the pig rails in it so momma can't accidentaly squish the babies.

We went to the vet for her x-ray and are expecting definitely 3 babies and maybe one more than that. The fourth image wasn't as clear the vet said it could be part of her stomach.

This is our second attempt at breeding Sparkles the first time it did not take. I got a lot of stuff together the first time before I realized the tie didn't take so I have the majority of the things I need. Just thought it would be nice to know what other people keep handy.

Thanks everyone,
Amanda

[gkathleenw]

Congratulations! When is she due? Do you have any belly pictures yet?

As far as the list of supplies...... Lots of towels! thermometer, hemostats, dull scissors, dental floss, alcohol wipes (to clean the hemostats and scissors), bulb syringe, styptic powder, nutrical, digital scale, ribbon or yarn to "label" the puppies, esbilac powder, little bottles and/or syringes (just in case), heating pad, whelping pudding...... I think im forgetting some stuff but I don't have my actual list in front of me, im just going through the box of supplies in my head. But, either way, I hope this helps and from the sounds of it, you might already have all of that from the research you have done. Best of luck to you and if I can be of any assistants, feel free to send me a message.

[Sparklesmom]

She is on day 51 today. I suspect we will have puppies between the 31st and the 3rd. She is getting huge. She sits on the couch with me and lets me rub her belly all night. It's definitely getting exciting. It was amazing to see the little puppy heads and spines on the x-ray at the doctors Friday.
Thanks for your response, I will check to be sure I have everything you said.

Amanda

[carmen in nj]

thank you for this list, I am rechecking and making sure we got everything we need too, my son's girl is pregnant too and we are making sure we don't forget anything..
hugs,
carmen in nj

[gkathleenw]

I know, I am getting an xray done on the January 2nd for my Bailey baby who is due on January 12th. I am SO excited!!! Last litter she had I had an ultrasound done and it was so amazing to see the little babies heart beats, and the little skulls and the little spines. I love it! I love Babies!!! Bailey wants me to rub her belly all night long too. Its to cute! But anyways, your welcome for the list and best of luck to you!

[katelin]

We use pee pads under the mother during the birth. This helps in cleanup and keeps mom and babies cleaner too. I put down 4 or 5 on top of each other. After each birth I just pull the top one off and we have a clean area again.

Besides NutriCal, I also have Nutri-drops which are for newborns and Bene-Bac. After the puppies are born and nursing well, I give each a tiny drop of the Nutri-drops and Bene-Bac.

Best wishes for a healthy Daytime whelp.

[gkathleenw]

The pee pads are a Great idea! Thanks! Ill have to try that for my January birth.

[Leesha]

Originally Posted by Sparklesmom

Hello everyone,

I was just getting everything together for Sparkles 1st litter and was wondering if anyone had a list of things that they keep handy during whelping. This is going to be our first litter and I have been doing a lot of research online and thought I would put the question here as well. My husband is building the whelping box for us and putting the pig rails in it so momma can't accidentaly squish the babies.

We went to the vet for her x-ray and are expecting definitely 3 babies and maybe one more than that. The fourth image wasn't as clear the vet said it could be part of her stomach.

This is our second attempt at breeding Sparkles the first time it did not take. I got a lot of stuff together the first time before I realized the tie didn't take so I have the majority of the things I need. Just thought it would be nice to know what other people keep handy.

Thanks everyone,
Amanda

YouTube - Whelping supplies Part I

[Leesha]

This is the list I used:

Here's how to build you own kit for so much less!!!

The Major Items you need to have on hand when whelping a litter of puppies are the foloowing:

Betadine - Use to dip umbilical cords in after cutting them and keeping them clean (Walmart $3.00 the band-aids)
Stethoscope - To listen for heartbeats before and after delivery. And most important to make sure all puppies are delivered. (ebay, buyemp, 9 - 13.00)
Thermometer - To record temps, use digital not mercury, you can cause damage if mercury breaks off in a nervous bitch (Walmart $3 - 7.00 by the pharmacy)
Scissors - You can use anything from children's safety scissors or surgical scissors. (Ebay, Walmart $.99 - 10.00)
String - To tie off umbilical cords after cutting. Do not use waxed flavored dental floss, I use cross stitching string (DMC Floss) (.59 cents in walmarts craft section) Soak in alcohol or betadine.
Bulb Syringe - To suck out fluid from puppies nose and throat. (Walmart, baby section, 2 ounce size for $2.00) or you can go to buyemp and get three different bulb syringe sizes, from 1 ounce (Small Pups) - 3 Ounce bulb syringes (For large Puppies) Plus you can buy what sellers are calling whelping umbilical cord scissors (there price 5.00 and up) for 2.59.
Hemostats - To Pinch off Umbilical cords (ebay is the cheapest I found them at ( 1.50 and up)
Latex Gloves - Now when your helping deliver the pups these gloves will not help you grip the pup so I do not use them when I am assisting a birth. I only use them for internal vaginal exam for the bitch. (Walmart - 3.50 - 8.00 a box, by pharmacy)
Ky Jelly - To help loosen the puppy when delivering or to place on the thermometer during temp check. (Walmart $2.00 - 4.00)
Hand Towels - Everyone has extra around the house, if not walmart again :-) you can get 10 for $5.00 or go to your local thrift store and buy some ( Make sure they are washed in hot water before using)
Heating Pad - I simply use a standard heating pad that I bought at walmart for for like $14.00. And it had 3 settings and an automatic shut off when it go to hot. It worked perfect.
Towels - Just like hand towels
Scale - A simple Kitchen Diet Scale works (Walmart again cost $8.88, where kitchen dept.
Underpads - You can get these at sam's club, cosco for like $20.00 for 100 pads.
Trash Bags - Easy anywhere you go you can get them. Get Small for plactena's and stuff like that, Bigger bags for newspaper, towels or blankets that need a wash but you can't do it yet.
Dark Kyro Syrup - To help slow pups and tired moms. Its a great energy boost and natural. Simple rub on the puppies gums for fast action.
Puppy Formula and Bottle - Emergency Only Supply - Again walmarts pet section - $3.00 and up
Oh and ribbon - to tie around the puppies neck for identification. Get 10 different colors or designs.
Heating Lamps - Walmart has them in the hardware section for 5.00 and the bulbs for 3.00.(10' Polished Aluminum Refelector Lamp only 5.88 at walmart)
Feed Tubes and such for 1.99 please contact me for where to get them and pet meds

[leucothea]

I just set up my puppy hot box yesterday I have to gather the ribbons still to differentiate who's who in the litter and my feeding tubes and syringes didn't come yet, but I bought a preemie bottle set. My Princess is getting huge. I can feel the puppies moving around quite alot now, but according to my calculations she could only be at day 49. Lord knows when the big event will happen, but I am excited too!

[katelin]

you can also use elastic hair ties instead of ribbons. They can be shortened with a little fold in them for newborns, and then let out as they grow. They come in pretty colors too. Just be careful to check them all the time and have at least a finger width inside the band so it is not tight on their neck.

[Sunnie]

Don't forget to have a camera handy, a note pad to record birth order and weights.

[Skittles_Momma]

Ya know I just used finger nail polish on the bottom of thier paw pad. Granted I would have to redo it every few days. I'd make sure it was dry before putting pup back with mom. I just made a note of who got what color next to who as born at what time. I might try the ribbon/string/pony tail idea this time. As they got a lil older, like when they were getting mobile we used the rubbery string that is in the craft section that kids can make necklaces or bracelet with as lil collars. My hubby is a whiz with slip knots or whatever so they were always loose. Never had trouble with them getting them caught, tangled up, or Skittles bothering them. You just have to try out a few maybe to see what works for you and your brood once they get here. Keep us posted and best of luck.

[Sparklesmom]

Everyone here has been so great. I'm kind of nervous about putting something around their necks. What about putting it around one of their legs? I just worry about them choking. Someone mentioned rubber bands. What kind of bands do you use?

Last night Sparkles was sitting on my lap and I could feel little puppies "kicking" on her tummy. She is getting so big.

[leucothea]

I thought about that too. Maybe the nail polish idea is a good one. I guess their nails are too small to put a dot on one of those.

Princess has some lively ones in there also. They were going to town the last few days.

I have my scale and my forms for their weights and all. Should be a very exciting time! I wish everyone the best of luck