Rose, Roxie has gained a little over half a pound (8 ounces). I was expecting her to gain more, but the way she eats, I'm surprised she gained anything at all! I bought some jarred chicken baby food today and I mixed about a teaspoon in with her dry food a few minutes ago to make it taste better and she LOVED it. She ate the entire bowl of food! Now she's sitting at my feet, fat and happy :D

I went shopping for whelping supplies (just got back). I couldn't find the exact items I wanted though. So a question for the experienced breeders- to tie off the cord, does it have to be unwaxed floss, and if so, why? (I assume unwaxed has better grip?) I couldn't find unwaxed anywhere! I was surprised at the seemingly hundreds of floss choices, all of them being waxed. So I just grabbed a waxed one that was unflavored. Also, I bought some iodine to dip the cord in after I cut it. However, there was no white iodine, only brown. It says povodone/iodine solution, 10%, antiseptic. Is this going to be ok?

I hope I don't sound silly, I just want everything to go as smoothly as possible.

Ooo I also got a heating pad, a nasal aspirator (fondly known by my husband as the Snot Ball) and some super girly doggy fabric (flannel!) to make another blanket for her whelping box. Sadly, I couldn't find a heating pad without that pesky auto-shutoff feature. Lame. So I guess I'll be waking up every couple hours at night to turn it back on, lol. Anything else you guys can think of that I'll be needing?

Aww, look at her little dollface <3 She looks similar to Roxie, even the little faint gray stripe in her bangs. I love her! She's due the same time as Rox (a day earlier) and she's so much bigger with triple the pups. You lucky grandma you ;)

Luckylady: she was bred July 1st (day 10), July 3rd (Day 12) & then July 7th (day 16) <- the last tie was 6 days after the 1st tie, so that why I am really thinking she got preggy at that time, i figured she was REALLY ready, a day before i was catching her "hump" everything around her so I figured she was ready to breed & that is when I took her back to see the b/f, the owner asked if I wanted to try again the next day, but I thought that was enough already, I didnt want to over do it!

I have noticed her tummy getting a lil harder these days & they do look a lil bigger & when i notice this its the end of the day, hours after she had her 1st meal. Her nips are starting to point out a little more too. I reallly really hope she is a week behind.
Hubby built her whelping box yesterday & lol she hates it... she wont go inside, but my 3 others & my cat are loving it! So lets see... thanks

By those breeding dates, she would likely be due the first week of September going by the pregnancy calendar, so she would just be 5 weeks along. I'd say that's what her belly looks more like in the pics. Have you used this pregnancy calculation calendar (there's also one on the debbie jensen site) Canine Pregnancy Calendar? Just fill in the breeding date & it will calculate the whelp date along with great information. It's great to be able to print it out and watch step by step what is (or should be) happening. Although with Halle just carrying one pup, I don't think I saw what it says in the same timeline.

BTW, please stick around with us even if she is due in September :)

I think i see two spines in that xray... YAY for puppies!

I do believe I am about to post a Puppy watch thread... My roxy's temp is 98.1, she's panting, nesting, and can't get comfy... This may be a long night

I copied & pasted a timeline I found online, & have been going along with that. I will def stay around... but I guess I gotta start that September litter.. Lol, I will keep ya ladies updated!! thanks

Ooooo.........a puppy watch thread!!! My notes tell me Roxy's due date was the 10th, so she's a couple of days early. OR, she's going to drive you crazy with worry & sleepless nights for a day or to.:rolleyes: Is this the first temp drop? Has she eaten anything today?

How exciting, and it's the weekend! Perfect timing :) keep us posted, I'll be gone all day but I'll keep checking YT from my cell phone. I hope Roxy has an easy time of it.

Oh and I also thought that I saw two spines (right next to each other) but the vet claimed that the second "spine" is just the ribs from the first spine. So, who really knows! I can still only make out one puppy when I'm feeling her belly. It's really easy to feel the pup now; it constantly has body parts sticking out! Usually a head, sometimes a bum. haha.

Oh and I have a question about taking temperature- It's impossible to do, with Roxie. She screams, yelps, cries, and squirms like crazy. I feel like if I try to just do it quick, I'll puncture an organ because of how violently she thrashes around. Even the vet and the vet tech yesterday weren't able to get a temperature from her! So what should I do? Is it really necessary to take her temp often when she's due? Can I just feel her belly with my hand? Because I know that her belly is always flaming hot, and I'd assume when it drops she'd just feel "normal" (like a person) or even cool.

I would never NOT take the temperature. In the case of my Kalina, I started taking her temp on 8/1 thinking I had about 5 days to get a baseline and then would notice immediately when it dropped. The first time I took her temp on 8/1 it was 98. The next morning she whelped 3 preemies. One died, but two are alive and doing quite well. They will be one week tomorrow and they weigh 4 1/2 and 5 oz. They were 2 oz and 3 oz at birth; the littlest girl that died was 1 oz. I am sooooo glad I took her temperature and was ready for the puppies or I don't know what would have happened.

My Bella had her babies on Aug 6 .
Sorry I have been too busy to come on and post. # males 1 female They were 3-4 oz. Everyone is doing great so far!

Some more pics!

Congratulations on your new litter. Momma and babies look very content.

If it's that difficult to take her temp, I wouldn't force it. Why stress mom out more than need be at a time like this. Also we've all read about how crazy the up and down temps can make us. I read on one of the MANY whelping sites I've been to, exactly what you are saying. When whelping time is near you will definitely feel a difference ON her belly. I believe it read "it will be darn right cool to the touch" compared to what it's been. Use your best judgement on what's best for you and Roxie.

Congratulations on your beautiful healthy puppies!!! Looks like everyone arrived safe and sound. Thanks for sharing the pictures.