Day 59 and on Puppy Whelping Watch...

Whelping box (I am actually using a kiddie pool for ease of use and cleanliness) is set up in my bedroom. Right next to my bed. That makes it convenient to try to catch a few minutes of z's here and there both until the pups arrive and after they arrive. Sabrina has gotten into the whelping box, sniffed the nice plush blanket, and then laid down on the cooler floor for a rest.

She is not showing any signs of whelping yet. Usually they start getting milk in their back teats about a week prior to delivery. As of this morning she did not have any milk yet. Hmmm.... Since her expected due date is this Sunday, I am wondering if she will come later than that. Sabrina is an excellent mother and always has tons of milk. She has come a day early in the past. They don't always follow the book on whelping, nor do they always follow the same pattern that they have previously.

She is looking pretty big to me. I did not do an ultrasound nor an xray. As tempting as it is to have a better idea as to how many, most of the time the counts are inaccurate. The repro place that does the ultra sound around here won't even try to do a count... they just confirm pregnancy. Well um... I do believe I can tell she is PG! LOL. A friend who reads many research papers read about xrays possibly causing dyslexia in human children. I sure don't want to mess up my puppies reading capabilities (joking) so I decided a few years ago to not do xrays. They only do xrays as an extreme emergency in humans so that is what I do for MY spotted children. :) I know dogs can't read, but what else could it possibly do? I would do one if medically necessary of course.

I have whelping supplies ready and setup: thermometer, scale to weigh newborns, blunt-edged scissors to cut umbilical cords if necessary, alcohol to sterilize scissors, small towels to rub puppies dry, ear syringe to help suck out any fluid let in nasal or throat, vaseline and surgical gloves in case I need to feel for a stuck puppy or assist in turning and easing a puppy out, rags to wipe up fluids, and lots of extra blankets to change out during whelping. (just to name the basics).

Is is important to take Sabrina's temperature at least three times a day, in hopes of catching the temperature drop. Sometimes it is obvious but many times it is easy to miss, if not taking it often. Temperature is supposed to drop 2 degrees about 24 hours before delivery is to begin. This can help you get a feel for possible dystocia (long delay in delivery) which could cause a loss of puppies and/or even the dam. Good breeders watch their dams closely and monitor everything so we know when it is necessary to get to the vet. Her temperature this morning is 99.7. The drop is usually 98 or below. It is also common for my girls to have a lower temperature in the morning. Just my experience over the years.