Page 54 - Chow Life - Spring 2016

RX for
the Whelping Box
Prolonged or difficult labor
leads to whelping problems which
may lead to a C-section and that
can lead to high puppy mortality.
We accept, even expect whelping
problems with some breeds. Some
breeders say that bitches delivered
by caesarian may reject or even
kill their puppies. For a variety of
reasons, we approach the whelping
process with trepidation but here, I
hope to cure your fears.
The female dog is programmed
to cherish and protect her
offspring with her very life. It is
the miscarriage of common sense
that needlessly puts dog breeders
through weeks of sleepless nights,
round the clock feedings, constant
worry and often, an erroneous
decision not to breed the bitch
again. You may be offended but
read my bio and understand this is
a culmination of knowledge passed
to me by my peers. You can buy a
lot of expensive books on how to
whelp and raise a litter of healthy,
well-adjusted puppies. This is free
but no less valuable to the serious
dog breeder or the nervous novice. when you note how she curls up
Here's what friends have called
a "prescription" for whelping,
from pre-delivery to after-
care, whether by C-section
52
by Barbara Andrews,
TheDogPlace.org Publisher
or natural birth. But with Drydeck. For smaller breeds,
first, let's have an the bottom half of an airline crate
understanding about placed in an x-pen works great and
breeding dogs. A is easier to drape for her privacy.
Caesarian can be Let her arrange (shred and rip) her
necessary to spare the bedding; a roll of clean newsprint or
bitch and save the pups rolls of paper towels.
but I strongly suggest
you avoid today's
practice of routinely Avoiding Problems With
scheduled caesarians. Caesarian Delivery
If delivering puppies Whether elective or emergency
is too inconvenient for you or for C-section, a bitch may reject
your vet, one of you is in the wrong her pups unless you take steps
business. to prevent her confusion. After
having allowed her to perform as
Where To Whelp The much of the pre-delivery routine
as is safe, insist that the veterinary
Litter? surgeon save a complete placenta.
Knowledge our grandparents To emphasize the importance of
grew up with is all too often the request, as you gather the bitch,
obscured by today’s technical receiving box, blanket, (and of
teachings. Sans human interference, course, your credit card!) be sure to
the farm dog has her pups under include a zip lock freezer bag. If it
the porch, in the barn, wherever looks like it will be more than three
she chooses - and she chooses well. hours getting her home, ask staff to
After all, wolves, coyotes, and foxes refrigerate the placenta.
still find the right place at the right Upon returning home, settle the
time. You will select the place but bitch and pups and hope she will
your bitch must be allowed at least take notice of them. You can try
two weeks to make her nest her rubbing them across her vulva but
own. Please don’t put her in a fancy my advice is to take no chances.
square whelping box in the kitchen Warm the placenta by placing the
where the family can watch the big plastic bag in hot water. When she
event. Would you be comfortable is alert enough to respond to you,
delivering your first born in the dip the pup’s rear quarters into the
Group ring at Westminster? bag, then dump the placenta under
If she's a large breed, accustom her (sterile!!) vulva as you discreetly
her to a round, flexible, child’s place the pups at her rear. She will
wading pool before delivery. You'll lick her vulva, the placenta, and
realize why you don't need a "rail" her whelps. The bonding process
has begun. With any luck, she will
in the circular nest and how the ingest the placenta which is laden
sides give under pressure. Put it with much-needed hormones!
in a spare room or in your quiet, It is how we deal with the
darkened bedroom. Put down aftermath of a C-section that will
several layers of newspaper covered