Getting Prepared for A Litter

Puppystim on Amazon. Literally a puppy life-saver. I will NEVER be without it.

Have a plan for when they’re 4 weeks + – ours stayed in their whelping box as it was massive, but we put them onto shavings in it whilst trying to house train them as much as we could, we found it far easier than newspaper! Lots of towels, puppy milk & syringe just incase. Take temp and keep an eye.. mine didn’t eat breakfast the morning of both her litters. She was a week early both times also, but I had no idea the first time, called her to the front door and she come for late checks at the stables, it was only once I’d had a shower and went to bed I noticed a puppy squirming around safe to say I put them both into the whelping box and had to sit with her for the duration of labour.

When it comes to worming pups buy paste not liquid. More liquid ends up out of the puppy than in it  Also don’t be tempted to let people come and see to buy until you are 100% which one you are keeping.

Budget for a caesarean (in our hospital that can be £1-2k!). You’ll need to worm daily from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post-whelping. Familiarise yourself with complications to look for and the normal progression of birth. Sort your vet out ASAP for docking (if necessary for your breed) as most vets don’t do it anymore. Read “Book of the Bitch”.

Read up on pre eclampsia/ eclampsia before she’s pregnant and again before she’s due. Know the signs. Also learn about mastitis treatment, quick treatment for these sort of issues can prevent the need for intervention.

Vet bed for mum, I litter trained my pups which made things so much easier. Look at wheatgerm and raspberry leaf extract supplements (dorwest herbs). There’s lot of great resources out there to read on, puppy culture and book of the bitch for example. Also if you can find a local experienced breeder who’s happy to be on call during whelping, as there may be things you’ll worry about that’s normal and save a unnecessary trip to vets. If things do go wrong, get a few bit of dollar stashed in the bank. It can get very expensive very quickly. Most importantly find time to sleep and relax, it’s bloody hard work but so worth it.

I prefer a special heated mat to a lamp then puppies can choose to get on or off it..especially when the bitch starts to leave them for exercise etc. Also try and have a friend who has delivered puppies before with you during whelping…(this is) always helpful if one needs a bit of extra care.I stay with the bitch all the time once she’s started. Good luck and enjoy.

Best to have plenty in the bank in case of complications, c section etc as insurance doesn’t usually cover that. Plenty of old clean towels, sheets newspapers as it gets Very messy lol. If you know any experienced breeders as friends, it’s good to have on speed dial. I also take my bitches temperature from a day or two before she’s due as it changes before she goes into labour.