I think they are Precious!
2 girls on the left & 2 boys on the right in the picture
Lil Bit
Twinkle Toes
ButterBall
Scruffy Jr

Thank you Dee!

About the scissors, I was afraid that children's scissors wouldn't cut well enough. I was thinking of getting a small pair of surgicals and I think they make some with blunt ends. I just want to make sure they cut well. As for the blankets and towels, I was thinking more about using them during the whelping. I wouldn't leave too many in there afterwards... much too scared of the puppies getting smothered...!

You should see my list... maybe I have too much, but I so want everything to go well...

Here's a great link for all your whelping supplies recommended: http://www.debbiejensen.com/umbilic_cord.html
Good luck with the first litter!!!

Delores is right you really don't need surgical scissors. In fact if you have nails it is best to shred the cords with your nails. It alot more similar to the action of Mom's teeth. Most of the time the mom will do the cutting. I simply hod between the base of the cord and where I want her to sever it so that she doesn't get too close. The rougher the cut, the faster the clot.

Oh, I didn't know that...!!! But aren't nails... dirty...?:eek:

I guess it would be OK if I were to disinfect my hands with rubbing alcohol regularly throughout the procedure? They'll be all chapped and dry afterwards, but who cares...?? ;)

Congratulations and good luck. I love the pictures you posted! :thumbup:

Keep us posted! Have you decided what to do about a whelping box?

That is all so exciting! You are so lucky! I am thinking of breeding my girl if she turns out to be a good health grown up exactly because of that. It must be so exciting having new babies! But there is so much that goes into it and I really want to be responsible about it too so please keep us posted with how things go. I'm trying to learn everything I can so that I can really make an educated decision. Good Luck!! :)

the whole point of the child's scissors is to kind of shred the cord as it cuts but it seems to take too long to me.

Just wash your hands well (sing happy birthday) and use a neil brush. After the cord is shredded put a bit of iodine on it. Iodine will kill any germs and aid in the drying up of the cord. I wouldn't worry overmuch, mom is going to lick it anyway.

I read on one of those links that eaglez sent me that putting iodine on it will, in fact, prevent mom from licking it...

I use gloves when I deliver my pups now, when I first started I didn't. And I agree, I like to also tear the cord because it doesn't seem to bleed as bad if you do this or as Dee was saying the scissors that aren't sharp work. And if you have retained placenta you can clamp it with a hemostat so it won't go back up in her, so you can concentrate on the pup. I also have Calsorb on hand, it is great to give the mom when she is starting contractions and often they get tired and the contractions are not strong and if you give calsorb it will give her a boost on her contractions. NutriCal is great to keep their energy level up.
If you don't have a room that you can keep warmer, I always use a pet taxi that is big enough for mom and pups and I cover it with a blanket and it will incubate it nicely without any added heat source such as a heat lamp or heating pad. The moms like the den like atmosphere, they need to feel their pups are safely in the den away from the activity.
So beside your is a great place, I keep a flashlight handy for the night time.
Good luck and looking forward to hearing your litter announcement.
You are welcome to PM me anytime.

Deana

Iodine never stopped my dogs from licking. Licking won't hurt, it's natural. Just don't let mom get carried away and irritate it. You should have some Esbilac on hand so just give mom a bit if she seems to be getting tired. It will boost her energy, provide nutrients and calories, and supply calcium for optimum muscle function.

Deanna, where do you find the Calsorb? that's something I cannot find in my area. Thanks

Dee or should I call you Delores?,
Here is the link to order some.

I have a litter now that would have been a Csection had I not calsorb on hand. :)

http://www.revivalanimal.com/product...242&ss=calsorb

Deana

doesn't matter what you call me. people on here are the only ones that call me Dee besides my deceased father. someone from YT called the other day about the babies and assked for Dee and my hubby told them no one lives here by that name LOL. Thanks for the link