Betty, not sure if Mary has discussed this with you, but you want to make sure Mom has milk and that the babies are actually getting something.

To check for milk, take one of the teats (a larger one) and grasp it just below the nipple with your thumb and forefinger. Give it a squeeze (not a pinch) and slide your fingers up towards the nipple as you do so. You should see milk being expressed.

The babies should be latching on and working the teat with their feet. You should be able to see the tongue wrapped around the teat as they nurse. They will pretty much stay at the milk bar for the first few days and sleep in between.

The babies are born with a more elongated shape but should shape up and plump out by around the third day. You shouldn't hear much out of them....a crying baby should be cause for concern. They will whimper a bit and such but you shouldn't hear any extended crying from them.

If your girl has a full coat, watch out for the babies getting tangled in the hair. You will need to wrap the coat if it is long. Of course, her belly should be shaved at this time. Also, watch for the babies getting under Mom and not being able to get out. For the first few days, you really have to keep an eagle eye on them. There really isn't much opportunity for rest, even with things going well.

Also, keep the Mom clean. She will be a mess after birthing and should at least have her rear cleaned as the babies will be rooting around in that area.

Just a few things I thought to mention. Hope all is well and continues to be.

Congrats on the new babies! I was very sorry to hear about (Tiny). My thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with you. Please keep us posted and take good care of yourself, mama, and babies.
:aimeeyorkYorkieProud:aimeeyork


:pWHO LISTENS BETTER TEENAGERS OR YORKIES? I THINK WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE. YORKIES!!!! LOL!!:p

Good job everyone, what an ordeal you had to go through. Glad momma and puppies are doing fine. I'm so glad I'm not a breeder, it was hard enough on me just to read this thread.

So sorry to hear of the loss of "tiny". Sometimes there is just no way of knowing why there is a loss.

And most of all.... congratulations to you, "Baby" and her little puppies.

Can hardly wait to see photos.

Betty call the Hope clinic Dr Faulkner is very good, I will NEVER use anyone else when it comes to my babies. He is one of the most well versed toy dog vets that I have met. In our area that is hard to come by.

Carmen
(don't take your babies into the waiting room let the girl know at the front desk you will be outside, she will come get you when its your turn.)

Hi :) my name is norine. i've been a member for a while but only been here on and off. i love coming in and reading all the posts. i have a miniature yorkie,5lbs. although, i'm sure she weighs more now. we are pretty sure she is pregnant. this was not wanted because our other dog is either a pomchi or miniature american eskimo. he is about 10-12lbs. we had been out of town for my daughters wedding..ssooo..anyway, i've been reading about whelping and labor etc. everything i can. but we have been told she would be fine delivering these puppies and we've been told she will need a c-section. i am reading either way. zoe,my yorkie, may be about 42 days pregnant..estimatiing. she eats in small amnts. not as active. was in the beginning but her stomach is bigger now and she is sleeping a bit more. i've been walking her some to keep her excercising. zoe hides uner our bed a lot and seems uncomfortable in her kennel now. again, the posts are so helpful. thank you for your time. oh i called our vet and he said to wait until 45 days preg. so taking her in very soon here. :)

Oh dear....my best suggestion is to find a mentor......whelping a litter is not something that can be learned on a website. Read everything you can about whelping.....You aren't in the best of situations....having a mixed breeding that is an oops...that in of itself is scarey. Breeding and whelping standard size yorkies is difficult enough with experience.

You're girl is 5 pounds....which is on the lower end of the weight chart of a breedable female (by the way....there is no such thing as a minature yorkie) the Yorkshire Terrier is a Toy dog.

Hi, Norine. Wow, you are in a pickle! Not a good situation to be in. Do you have any experience at all with whelping pups?

So, you haven't seen a vet yet with her? At this point, you have about 3 weeks until delivery. Hopefully, your vet can give you some guidance but it's still too soon for an x-ray to determine the #, size and position of the pups. That will need to be done at around day 54.

The pups will do most of their growing in the last couple of weeks so that is when the drain will be greatest on the Mom (aside from nursing). Now is when the pups are putting on size and skeletons are developing so it is very important that Mom eats very well at this time. Calcium supplements are not recommended prior to whelping, but a calcium rich diet (eggs, yogurt, goat's milk) and also some organ meat (typically liver) would help replenish the nutrients the pups are using up at this time.

Mary is right in that you need a mentor of some sort. Time is short, but if you know a local breeder, they could be of tremendous help for you. No one on the internet can be there with you if the need arises, so having an experienced person actually with you would be invaluable.

While there is a limit to what you can learn on the computer, there is some good info to help prepare you for what to expect. This....Dog Breeding and Canine Reproduction by Debbie Jensen. Dog Breeding and Whelping guide for dog breeders..... is a very good site that you'll find helpful.

Please let us know what the vet has to say and feel free to ask any questions you may have as the time approaches.

OH My.

If you had come on sooner, right after she was bred, you clould have had her spayed and the litter aborted.

I don't know who told you it would be OK for her to have these babies, but that was poor advice.

Chances are good that she will need a c section, and that could mean that she will reject the puppies and you will need to hand feed them.

I suggest that you move this post to a thread of it's own.

Good Luck and keep us up to date on her progress.

I have to second what Mardelin said.:thumbup:

A bit late to take the best course of action now. :( I would strongly suggest that you make sure to get an xray/ultrasound in about a week. It will give your and your vet a indication if the pups seem too big for her to free whelp and will let you plan for a c-section rather than chancing an emergency one. I really can't stress how you really NEED a mentor who can be there with you when she delivers.

Hello everyone :) well i know it was too late. we are guessing she will deliver around the 28th. will be taking zoe to vet this week as vet said not before 45 days pregnant. i am worried for her. she seems to want to eat more now and wants my attention..like she wants to be comforted. she sleeps right up against me all night and seems to want my hand on her through the night. i've been trying to find a mentor but no luck just yet. after xrays will know more. thank you all for replying. i am reading a lot even realizing she may need a csection. :(