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jones2168
Apr 19, 2011, 05:25 AM
Hello people please help me, My ***** lab in pregnant and she won't sleep on her huge bed and she won't cuddle up on the couch either, this is really strange behavior from her she is 4 years old. She has started leaking milk from her teats every now and then and. She has started crying yesterday and she just started crying again this time it was much longer this time and she just keeps walking around and can't seem to get comfy. It is her 1st litter I have spoke to some vets in my area but waiting list was to long they have explained to me what to do if something goes wrong during labour but they forgot to tell me when will I know she in labour.

Than ks just need help

shazamataz
Apr 19, 2011, 11:54 AM
How many days is she?

Gestation period for dogs is 65 days
Nesting and restlessness can happen a few days before whelping occurs so I don't use that as an accurate indication (although it does mean the time is nearing).
The most accurate way to tell is by taking the dogs temperate regularly (every few hours) until you see a drop. In the last 24 hours before whelping you will see a drop in temperate usually to around 98 degrees.

Having a vet tell you "what to do" if something goes wrong is not good enough, you need to find a vet who you can depend on in an emergency. You can't perform a c-section at home. That is not a dig at you, that is a dig at the vet.

Do you have a whelping box prepared? It's a good idea to have it available now so the b*tch can get used to it. Have her lay in it and put some familiar bedding in there.
When the pups are born make sure you only have flat bedding in the box. We use just polar fleece blankets neatly tucked into the edges so no puppies can get trapped in the folds.

Some items that you will need on hand for the delivery are:
Scissors
Cotton or dental floss
Betadyne
Plenty of towels

Towels are self explanatory, it's going to be messy and as each pup is whlped you need to pick them up in the towel and give them a good rub all over, this isn't to clean them (mum will do that) rubbing helps get the lungs going and gets them breathing.
If any of the pups have trouble breathing after the rub down you will need to swing them. To swing them just hold them with their noses pointed to the ground and literally swing them towards the ground. This helps dislodge and fluid on the lungs and moves it towards the mouth. You will need to do this with a bit of force, but not too much, use your best judgment.

The scissors, cotton and betadyne are all for cutting the cords. Tie the cotton tightly about an inch from the pups belly and then cut behind it. Dab some betadyne on the end.

The time between puppies should be no more than 2 hours. If the b*tch is struggling to delivery a pup or it has been longer than 2 hours then you need to contact a vet immediately.

I think that covers the basics, if there's anything else you need to know don't hesitate to ask.

jones2168
Apr 19, 2011, 01:27 PM
OK thanks for all that very helpful and thanks again

jones2168
Apr 19, 2011, 01:28 PM
Will mum do the cord or do we have to

paleophlatus
Apr 19, 2011, 01:35 PM
Mum would ordinarily chew the cord in two. It's surprising how fast 'instinct' kicks in when the puppy hits the ground, so to speak. I have noticed that the new mommy often doesn't try to nurse her pups until she is done with delivering. This isn't documented anywhere, it's just my observation over the years. Mum also will actually consume the afterbirth. This helps both stimulate milk production, and more labor. She needn't eat all of them, but 3 or 4 should be fine.

shazamataz
Apr 19, 2011, 01:59 PM
I personally don't let the mum chew the cord, there are too many things that can go wrong. We had a lady on this site a while back who had a puppy bleed to death has a result of the cord being chewed too close to the pups belly.
Tying and cutting is the safest way.

Some dogs will eat the after birth, some won't, if she wants to eat it let her, like paleophlatus said it helps stimulate labor.