[nelliejellysmommy]

Ok, so this is my first time with a dog who is whelping. She is a first time mom and I have all the supplies needed: alcohol, sterile gloves, washcloths (the pups will be tiny), blunt tip scissors, whelping area, scale, aspiration bulb, and unwaxed floss. Last night her temp dropped to 96.5. Today her breathing was labored, and now she doesn’t want to sleep with me. She is on day 61 of gestation.

 

[LeoRose]

Once their temperature drops they usually go into labor within 24 to 48 hours.

You said the pups will be tiny, so I'm assuming mom is a toy or very small breed? Have you done x-rays, to see how many she is carrying? If she is carrying a singleton, they tend to be larger than pups in a multiple pup litter, which can be problematic, and require a c-section regardless.

Do you have a mentor who can help you with the whelping? Having someone experienced who can either be there in person or just a phone call away is helpful.

Do you have plans in place in case she winds up needing a c-section? having a vet lined up beforehand, just in case, is always a good idea.

If you have any suspicion that something is wrong, contact your vet immediately, and be prepared to take her in for a c-section. It's far better to show up at the vet clinic with a healthy litter not needing a c-section than to wait and see if things turn out okay, only to lose puppies and/or mom.

 

[nelliejellysmommy]

Thank you for the information. She has had an X-ray and it showed 3 pups but the vet said probably 4. She is a small Malipoo so yes, pups will be tiny. We have talked to the vet and will have her emergency contact tonight. There will be someone to help me, yes.

 

[LeoRose]

Good. Fingers crossed for an easy whelping and healthy puppies.

 

[nelliejellysmommy]

Thank you