Whelping questions - Page 1

 What is your best bitch milk replacement recipe?

Any suggestions on how to distract the bitch while I cut the cord.  This bitch also tends to want to chew the cord even after I have tied and cut it and has caused a couple of hernias in the past.  She is very good and wants me in the whelping box with her, however, she wants to be the one to rip open the sacks, chew the umbilical cord and eat all the placentas.  She had no diarrhea after her last litter when she ate most of the placentas.  

Thanks for your help. 

Personally,  I would let her do the work..  she is the mom..   I try NOT to assist in that chore if mom is ready and willing.  Eating the placentas will help with her contractions..      She will probably not cause hernias if you let her do it herself.

Jody

i agree with jody

regards tracie.

www.freewebs.com/incubusgsds

When mom is doing the sack, cord , this is the first step in bonding with her puppies. Yes let her do the work.  It is really nice that she has you with her.  What a good dog. 

To your first question Leerburg has the best receipe around for puppy feeding IF you should need it http://leerburg.com/bottlefeeding.htm

It is human nature to want to "Take over" and do things our way. BUt your female is experienced and is a good mother (or she would not have been bred again). So sit back and watch what is going on. Trust your dog. You are only there IF something should happen. The more you you demand to help the more stressed she is getting and that could cause problems.

EK

The Leerburg recipe is great.  I use it on lower weight pups or just to help with a larger litter. 

 Thanks all for your input.  I have never needed to supplement before but usually have fresh goats' milk available just in case but cannot get any right now.  I do have canned goats' milk and simple sugar syrup on hand.  Hopefully the goats' milk becomes available again before the puppies need to be weaned.  

Why are you cutting the cord?  It sounds like this is causing the problem.  What happens if you leave your girl to it?

Most bitches remove what is necessary and then stop.  By cutting the cord for her you are disrupting this process.