Whelping Box Help!! Please!! :o)
 

:p Hi all, I am new to this site and I have a pregnant female yorkie (appx. 60 days pregnant). This is the first time she has ever been pregnant and I am a newbie breeder. I made her a cardboard whelping box a few days ago but she doesn't really seem to like it and I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions on how to properly make one or how to make it more comfortable to her. She had some clear discharge today (like mucus) and I just want to make sure she will be comfortable when she delivers. Also, I have read so much about what supplies I will need when she delivers I am so confused!?! Can someone give me a list (if you have one or know of one) you think is best? I really appreciate the advice and will post pictures of my two babies soon and then her babies as soon as she has them.:p

BTW-This is my first post, I have been reading info on here for a little while now. :p I think this site is wonderful and so helpful. Thank you all so much in advance!!

A cardboard box for whelping will not do, it will get soggy and will be a pain to deal with. I heard alot of people taking those huge storage bins and using them as a whelping box. You can even cut a hole in it if you want and it is easy to clean. Most of the time the won't go into their whelping box until they are ready to go, and then they still need encouragement, not all of them want to have their puppies in there, you just have to have them stay in there when she starts going into labor.

For whelping supplies, here are a few things to have:
Thermometer, to tell when the time is near
Scissors, make sure they are sterlized first, for cutting umbilical cord
Dental floss, braided umblical tape or hemostat for tying off the cord
Towels, you will need plenty of towels
Bulb syringe, used to aspirate pups once born
Iodine swabs
Alcohol pads
Antiseptic, to apply to umbilical cord to stop bleeding if there is any
Milk replacer and bottle, incase mom can't or won't nurse them, this needs to be a special formula for newborn puppies such as Esbilac, you can't give them regular cows milk.
Nutri-drops, will help weak puppies
Scale, to measure them each day to make sure they are gaining
Gloves, to assist delivery
Vet's phone number and emergency vet number and phone near by
Heating pad, to lay under box to keep puppies warm
Notepad, to record how many puppies are born and their weights

That is all I can think of right now, but I know I am missing some. Everyone feel free to add on.

Also, here is a good website to refer to, tells you how to cut the umbilical cord, aspirate puppies, etc.
www.debbiejensen.com

I hope this helps. Good luck on the upcoming birth!!!

box
 

I use the RubberMaid type bins...put one layer of bedding, like a towel..I use made to fit pads..do not put layers of blankets. Put a heating pad UNDER the box..she may not be too interested until the first pup arrives and then she should decide it is a good place to raise her babies.
Good Luck

I use one of those clear plastic sweater boxes that slides under the bed. I have what is called a pish pad in it. Don't know if that is going to work. kandy hasn't been in it since I took the towels out. I am expecting puppies anytime.

This is also what I use. Easy to clean up and roomy enough for mom and pups. Got mine at the dollar store for around $5.00.

the rubbermaid tubs are great and easy to keep clean...I have a few that I have cut out one side, at three-four weeks I switch to this so they can get out and use their pee pads (mom sometimes will stop cleaning up after them around this time)

I use pish pads cut to fit the bottom and throw in a fleece blanket about the size of a T-towel, the heat pad SET ON LOW wrapped in a towel UNDER the bed...Mom will continue to nest in the pups bed, you dont want anything too large or bulky mom will bury the pups.

(2) Hemostats to clamp (crushing) the umbilical cord (if needed) and another to keep hold of any placenta that may not come down easy.
Thermometer - easier to use a digital
Scale - should be digital more accurate - weigh 3 x per day first week
Scissors - should be surgical
KY gel - if a pup appears to be a bit stuck or tight in the canal
Benebac gel - for the pups and mom
4 different colors of fingernail polish or loose fit hair ties to mark each pup so you can monitor individual weight gain.

***make sure no drafts are near or around the bed and the room is at least 75 degrees
***Food for mom (her favorite things to eat and drink, goats milk daily)
***nurti-drops - ONLY ONE TINY DROP on your finger and wipe on the newborns tongue (for a weak pup) once or twice a day along with a bit of benebac
***take moms temp for three days twice a day post whelping anything over 103 get her to the vet
***take mom to vet no longer that 24 hours post whelping if you feel for any reason there has been a retained placenta

hope this helps, good luck!

Storage box
 

I use the under the bed plastic storage boxes too. Works great! Easy clean up and the pups start hopping out of it about 4 weeks old. Good luck!! Sounds like she is ready to deliver today with the mucus released. Let us know!

Do you put the heating pad under the plastic box or under the bedding in the box? i can't understand how it could work thru the plastic pan. Thanks

under it NEVER in it and only to one side so there is room for mom to lay away if she gets too warm! the heat penetrates, you only want it warm to the touch not toasty!

Thanks!!!!!!!!

here is what i did lol,,, my little girl is so spoiled she wouldnt go in it at all until after the puppies were born lol.... i did the cardboraad box and the bottom i line with a big bath towel, then on top of that i put some piddle pads and the over them i put a receiving blanket, i have several of them that i kept just for use in it so i can change them and wash them up lots lol, she decided she wanted to have her puppies up on bed with us where she normally sleeps lol , so that night when she was in labor i lined bed with trash bags and put towels over it, then after that she still didnt want in the box with the puppies i tiold she is rotton lol. til i cut a square ahped hole on the side so she could get in and out of it easliy and since that she has done great, first 2 days she stayed with the constantly and now she comes and goes freq they are 11 days old today lol, so far the box is staying good it hasnt gotton wet at all but like i said i keep it changed daily... gl and keep us posted

Wow! You guys are all so helpful...
 

:p Wow, thank you all! The info is so helpful, much more helpful than my vet, who is great but not a breeder (but that is why I asked) <smiling>. This is my first litter of puppies ever!! I am so nervous because I love my little Trini so much and I just want everything to go right for her and make her as comfortable as possible. I am tossing my cardboard box and going out to buy one of those storage bins from Target and I have pee-pee pads and a scale and a normal thermometer that I will be switching to a digital.

Can I ask another question...:confused: Is it normal for the (outside) temperature of her stomach to be so hot??

Thank you all again and I hope you enjoy the big belly pics, (they were taken yesterday night and the one on the couch just now).:p

my vet suggested a lamp instead of a heating pad. i did it and the lamp worked great. just a few more suggestions

Okay, so Trini is on day 59 if the first breeding took. I usually bathe her every 2 weeks, give or take but is is time for another bath. Can I give her a short bath now, so she feels clean? I shaved her belly hairs all the way down with clippers last night so no cutting just a nice warm bath...

I am too afraid of heat lamps and dont recommend them! I know there are some that believe in using them but I dont want to take the risk of over heating, with a heat pad on low and on one side you have no chance of this happening!