Yorkie Due any day now.....

[imchrissysmama]

Hi, everyone. We are expecting our first litter any day now. Mama is huge. She has her milk and the puppies are very active. She is now on day 58 and she has started digging and she is shedding her mucus plug. She has not eaten very much today. I woke to her scratching in the corner. She has been doing that more lately. I am excited and we are expecting 4 or more puppies. She is gonna be a great mommy. She is sleeping alot today. She is due on April 23rd, but I think she may go tonight or tomorrow. I will keep you posted.



Mary

[BamaFan121s]

Sounds like she's getting close. Let's hope that she can hold out a few more days!

Good luck!

[imchrissysmama]

She finally ate. So, I figure she will hold out for a few more days. She just seems so uncomfortable. She is so picky about food anymore. I have to mix wet food with her dry just to get her to eat. She turns her nose up at the dry food. She is resting now and seems to be okay. If anything changes I will be sure to let you all know.

[phfgkl]

Do you have her on puppy food? If not, she should be on that, and also, try giving her one tum a day, if she won't take it, chew it up and then try giving it to her. She needs calcium right now

[imchrissysmama]

Hi, yes she is on puppy food right now. I have heard to give her a tums after she delivered. I didn't know you were supposed to give it to her now. I will get some and give them to her. She is still sleeping. Thank you for your advice.

[bjh]

It is not advised to give calcium before they deliver pups. As long as she is on a good quality puppy food or all stages of life food that is all she really needs. During delivery I always give my mommas little bits of Nutri-cal between pups. Some people will give a tums or calcium supplement during delivery.

You momma's puppies may be dropping and getting into position for delivery. Often when the pups drop the momma might starting digging around and nesting more even though the pups are not due for several days. They are just anticipating the big event.

It sounds like she could have them anytime. I pray she has a safe whelping.

[luckylady]

Hi Mary! Oooo, exciting times for you coming up shortly; congratulations on you upcoming litter. I will be watching this thread closely as I LOVE puppy watches and yorkie puppies!

I agree with bjh.........hold off on the calcium until AFTER the puppies arrive. Good luck to you & the little mama

[imchrissysmama]

I was thinking your not supposed to give calcium in the last week of pregnancy. I have been reading a lot about it since this is my first and her first litter. I do have nutri-cal to give her after birth. Thank you for the info.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by bjh

It is not advised to give calcium before they deliver pups.

Yep. No calcium until after she delivers. Also, I've heard of giving Tums for Calcium, but that's actually pointless. (no carrier, so the calcium does no good) You need to supplement with something rich in Vit D too...like cottage cheese, or yogurt.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Yep. No calcium until after she delivers. Also, I've heard of giving Tums for Calcium, but that's actually pointless. (no carrier, so the calcium does no good) You need to supplement with something rich in Vit D too...like cottage cheese, or yogurt.

Yep, that's why I don't give tums even though others recommend them. I give the Doc Roy's Healthy Bones from Revival and my girls love them.

[phfgkl]

I have over a year before breeding, so lots of time to read. I know it said to give a tum a day and to chew it up for them if they wouldn't take it. I knew also to give puppy food, not real sure on why on any of this stuff yet, things I have to read up on yet.

[FlDebra]

"from phfgkl --I have over a year before breeding, so lots of time to read. I know it said to give a tum a day and to chew it up for them if they wouldn't take it. I knew also to give puppy food, not real sure on why on any of this stuff yet, things I have to read up on yet. "

You give Tum's after delivery because the puppies are going to make a huge demand on their mom's calcium reserves as they nurse, and Tums have a good amount of calcium in them. It will take the body a while to adjust. If the calcium levels go too low they can become weak, fall down, convulse/have a seizure, and even die.

You don't want to give extra calcium (Tums) before they deliver because it can accutually make them more susceptible to these problems because it can slow down their body's response to the low calcium caused by the new demand of nursing. Since the body is already used to an outside input, whether it needs it or not, it never uses the built in response to quickly provide more when needed. So, after puppies are born and start to nurse, the momma's body forgets how to react quickly when more calcium is needed.

As to feeding puppy food prior to delivery, it is for the extra nutrition and calories. I feed Canidae All Life Stages food so I did not change. I also free feed so food is always available. I definately noticed her eating more especially 2-3 weeks prior to having the puppies.

[imchrissysmama]

Hello, I just thought I would update you and let you know were on day 61 and no puppies yet. She has had a lot of discharge, all clear, but no signs of labor yet. She has not ate yet today and she is resting comfortably. She is still digging and nesting. I am sure she is close. She is quite swollen in her private area. We are anxiously awaiting our first litter. I have heard first timers whelp later. Is that always true? If anything changes, I will be sure to let you know. Thanks everyone for all the info and advice.

Mary

[jeanm1963]

Congrats on your first litter , I look forward to seeing pics!! Hope mama is doing well too!

[bjh]

From experience I can tell you they will just whelp when they are ready. I have had first timers deliver on the 59th and 60th days from the first breeding. I pray everything goes well for you.