Ready to give birth... help

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by PenniesMom

ya i hope they checked her really well i thought there were 4??

X-rays are not always reliable. A pup can be hiding behind another. While they can give you some idea, what they are used for is to give you an idea the pups positions.

[maggiesmom_2007]

You guys did an awesome job, Congrats to the OP and the Momma and babies. I am really sorry the one pup didn't make it.

[bettycno]

Thank you all for your support and prayers... special thanks to Jim and Mary, I don't know what I would have done without ya'll. These past few days have been extremly overwhelming for my baby gurl and me... Yesterday I experienced so much joy and grief at the same time. I wish I could have done more for baby #2 (Tiny).. he was so little, smaller than his brother and sister. I fed him, put him down for 30 mins while I tried to take a quick nap, when I woke up he had passed away.

I asked the vet about the 4th baby she saw, she said it may have been a "ghost baby".

Baby gurl and 2 babies are doing fine. She will be a great mother. She's getting fixed after this, I can't allow her to go thru this again... too hearbreaking to see her go thru all this pain.

Again, thank you all for being her for us. God bless you.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bettycno

Thank you all for your support and prayers... special thanks to Jim and Mary, I don't know what I would have done without ya'll. These past few days have been extremly overwhelming for my baby gurl and me... Yesterday I experienced so much joy and grief at the same time. I wish I could have done more for baby #2 (Tiny).. he was so little, smaller than his brother and sister. I fed him, put him down for 30 mins while I tried to take a quick nap, when I woke up he had passed away.

I asked the vet about the 4th baby she saw, she said it may have been a "ghost baby".

Baby gurl and 2 babies are doing fine. She will be a great mother. She's getting fixed after this, I can't allow her to go thru this again... too hearbreaking to see her go thru all this pain.

Again, thank you all for being her for us. God bless you.

Betty, I'm so glad you got the needed rest.

Kiss baby and her babies.

Look at the stickys in the breeder section. There is one for Whelping Pudding. Make sure mom is getting a minimum of 4 meals a day. Cottage Cheese, Scrambled eggs. Also, don't forget to assist mom in diapering those babies. Remember our conversation of getting mom to the vet today.

I'll talk to you later today, but remember if you have any questions, concerns, no matter what time of day, you have my phone number.

[bettycno]

Mary, I just called the vets office to ask how much they charge for that and they didn't know what I was talking about. Now, I noticed Baby Gurl has been drinking a lot of water so she only pee's but has not poopped at all. Maby twice, I've seen traces of a lil blood on the pads she uses. Is that normal? When will she start eating her food again? I was reading the sticky's but have not seen one yet that answers those questions... but I'm still reading...

[Woogie Man]

Good to hear from you, Betty. I'm sure you must be drained after a long night of waiting and then the actual whelping. I'm sorry about your little guy. A good many of us have lost babies at one time or another and know just how it feels.

I hope you got some rest because the work ain't over! You have 2 little ones to keep an eye on and a Mom that likely will be a picky eater, at least for a few days. I'm sure Mary has given you some great advice on their care so I won't rehash all that now. If you have any questions, however, don't hesitate to ask.

You have my number also so call me anytime and I'll be happy to help in any way I can. I usually stay up late so don't mind the late night calls.

Now, you know the next thing is....we want to see some pictures of Baby Girl and those little ones!!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bettycno

Mary, I just called the vets office to ask how much they charge for that and they didn't know what I was talking about. Now, I noticed Baby Gurl has been drinking a lot of water so she only pee's but has not poopped at all. Maby twice, I've seen traces of a lil blood on the pads she uses. Is that normal? When will she start eating her food again? I was reading the sticky's but have not seen one yet that answers those questions... but I'm still reading...

It's a Oxytocin Shot.....Good she's drinking water. Traces of blood is normal, occassionaly you may see some clotted blood....she's expelling some of the dead tissue. This spotting will continue for sometimes 6 weeks, maybe longer. If discharge becomes foul smelling, then you should worry. Don't be too concerned. The first 24 to 48 hours she will be reluctant to eat, not wanting to leave her babies. You may have to hand feed her, just make sure she has fresh food. Entice her, Whelping pudding is a great enticer and helps bring in the milk. Scrambled eggs, Cheese sprinkled over her food. Give the Goat's Milk recipe I gave you.

[Mardelin]

A bit of unsolicited advice. Keep her away from heavy house traffic. In a quiet area of the house that is free of drafts and other dogs. Don't allow people to handle the pups, over handling is not good. At this point and for the first 8 weeks of the pups life, pretty much all they need is mom. So, keeping mom healthy is the best insurance that your pups will have a good head start on life. Keep her breasts clean and free flowing, also her private areas. You're going to wish you had stock in baby wipes (scent free). When the pups are a week old, and only if she's ready to leave them for a bit, you'll be able to give her a bath. Use a puppy shampoo and rinse, rinse, rinse. Making sure all shampoo is off her.

You informed me you don't have children of your own, well now you do.l Your maternal instincts will now kick in.

[bettycno]

Ok, I guess I need to start looking for a new vet. The receptionist said Oxytocin Shot is only used to terminate pregnancy. She was not very nice. Jim, I will post pics soon... I still have one of Tiny while he was still alive... Mary, you're an angel.. thanks!

[bettycno]

Vets office just called to appologize.. they do that, they just need to get an x-ray first to make sure she is done and no puppies are inside? Would she still have or give birth after 24 hrs?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bettycno

Ok, I guess I need to start looking for a new vet. The receptionist said Oxytocin Shot is only used to terminate pregnancy. She was not very nice. Jim, I will post pics soon... I still have one of Tiny while he was still alive... Mary, you're an angel.. thanks!

Either look for a new vet, or let your vet know that the receptionist is giving out wrong information.

Pictures are in order. We want to see them regulary....these pups are now part of the family and we've got a vested interest in their growth.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bettycno

Vets office just called to appologize.. they do that, they just need to get an x-ray first to make sure she is done and no puppies are inside? Would she still have or give birth after 24 hrs?

Since you had her at the vet's yesterday and he insured you that there were no other pups, I don't understand why an x-ray is in order. But, if they feel that it is necessary (although, if there was a pup she would surely be exhibiting signs of an infection setting in) then I'm not going to dispute it. Every vet does it differently. But, because of your nervousness yesterday, not knowing if she expelled all the placentas, a POP shot is in order, it'll help expell all the dead tissue and help bring in her milk. Just make sure that they have an examing room ready for you that has been sterilized. Not, necessary for you to take the pups, if you aren't going to be gone long and they are warm and quiet, although maybe a vet check would be good. I'm sure you're going to take them back for tail docking and dew claw removal on day 3 to 5, so vet check can be done then.

[ryorkies]

I waited till after the whelping was complete to post, because I did not want to interrupt the flow of this conversation.
I just wanted to say that this thread is the epitome of why I joined this forum a few years ago.
I became so emotional while reading this because this is what it is all about ! Members helping members and those being helped actually taking the advice given.
Mary & Jim gave of their time and experience freely and with such love and devotion to the breed and the OP listened and used this information with gratitude and did her very best.

As a former Breeder I can honestly say that we all need help along the way and it never gets easier, because each whelping is different and carries its own set of complications with no two whelpings ever exactly alike.

Congratulations Betty ! Please post pictures whenever you can, because you now have a great many who are here for you and those precious pups whenever needed.

[bettycno]

can you tell me what to expect? Is this just a shot or do they do something else? $6.00 sounds too cheap for what it does, then again, I'm not a vet, so I have no clue.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bettycno

can you tell me what to expect? Is this just a shot or do they do something else? $6.00 sounds too cheap for what it does, then again, I'm not a vet, so I have no clue.

It's just a shot. It is given to humans in delivery too. The medical term is Posterior Oxytocin Pituitary (POP). I keep it on hand, and administer with vet recommendations. Usually if my girl is lagging behind and only after the first pup has been whelped. But, always after a whelp has been completed within 12 to 24 hours. It must be done with vet recommendations or administration.

By the way a full bottle, prescribed by the vet is only $12.00, so in retrospect, the shot is not cheap, when the recommendation is only 1/4cc