Mentor gone - Puppies coming! - Page 1

I'll spare everyone the story - long story short:  our mentor is MIA and is no longer in the picture (due to ethical and moral issues I don't care to discuss).

We have several GSD's in our large family, have for years.  All other previous litters were born at our partner's kennel (many stayed with us post 8 weeks for socialization and for placement).  We have imported a new female (no, this wasn't random - it was a planned breeding) and we expect pups to be on the ground sometime next week hopefully.

Early ultrasound indicated a good 10 pups.  We had our vet do an xray Saturday (day 51) and she saw at least 9 pups.  There was quite a bit of stool on the xrays, she believes there may bemore hiding.

Today, she is ad day 55.  Our sunroom is her own private room, with a whelping box.  I noticed last night when I went in, that she has begun nesting a bit.  Question:  I've read on more than one occassion that this indicates we should begin with temp taking (our "mentor" never took temps, among other things we're discovering), and that birth could be a few days to a week away.  My question:  what is everyone's experiene with nesting?

And before any nasties make an entrance ;) or mud slinging begins... no, we're NOT byb'ers.  We have high standards, have done our homework (and still do - many long time breeders have said that you never stop learning), and have a passion for this breed and continuing and improving upon the integrity of the breed.  Dogs should never be bred just to turn a litter and possibly make a dollar.  With thousands upon thousands of dollars spent, more time than I could count, money isn't our motivator.  So... poor choice in mentor?  Yup.  No need to even go there at this point. Acknowledged, agreed, and moving on.  Would appreciate any imput or what I would expect to happen as we quickly approach week 9.

Thanks,

~t

Is this her first litter?
If not, what happened with her last whelp?
 

Second.  Produced 10 pups last litter - previous breeder indicated she did well and was a wonderful mother.  Delivered around day 60 post tie.

Just took her temp (day 55) and it was 99.9.  Thoughts??  It was my understanding that generally when a dog's temp drops to 99, labor should begin within 24 hours.  We're talking .1 degrees here between 99.9 and 100, so I'm on the fence.  This is her first temp reading, so I have previous temp history to go on.

Is she still eating? Early nesting happens sometimes but it has been my experience that nesting closely follows whelping.

She was eating really, really well - almost TOO well (dry, dry/wet mix).  Now she only eats really well if it's wet.  (We use Taste of the Wild Prairie).

#1 have your vet on call, and a back up emergency vet..
#2 ask your vet for oxi and how/when to use it.
#3 learn about feathering
#4 purchase some online videos about whelping (leerberg?) and watch them several times.
#5 do you know of any other breeders (GSD or not) in your area (ask your vet if you don't know any)?
#6 get all necessary whelping supplies now
#7 get heat lamp or heating pad, have plenty of towels clean and ready
#8 get a can of Esbilic, baby bottle with human premi or new born flow rate (1 doop rating)
#9 rest up now, you will need it in a few days.

Since this isn't her first litter, she knows what to do. You will be there just to supervise and act if there's an emergency.

All dogs are different.......
I have had:
one that eats in between puppies, another that stops eating 2 days before
one that never has a temp drop, another that the temp drop is like clockwork
one that nests 10 days prior to whelpig, another that waits until the same day
one that wants to run and play up until the day of whelping, another that hides in dark corners thru the whole pregnancy
one that won't have her puppies if I'm not there to help, one that will wait until I leave the room to push one out.

no I don't have that many dogs, but behaviors are a combination of what my dogs have done.

#1 have your vet on call, and a back up emergency vet.. - Done (awesome vet - very close with 24 hours, on call hours)
#2 ask your vet for oxi and how/when to use it. - Will do (she didn't mention it on Sat's appt)
#3 learn about feathering  - Researched and familiar but no first hand experience - yet. Suggestions?
#4 purchase some online videos about whelping (leerberg?) and watch them several times.- Done.
#5 do you know of any other breeders (GSD or not) in your area (ask your vet if you don't know any)?  None.  Our "mentor" was the closest one and I assure you, he is NOT the person who needs to be doing anything hands on. :/
#6 get all necessary whelping supplies now - Wrapping that up today
#7 get heat lamp or heating pad, have plenty of towels clean and ready - heating pad (lowest setting under sheets/well washed and worn bath mat. Tons of sheets and towels at hand.
#8 get a can of Esbilic, baby bottle with human premi or new born flow rate (1 doop rating) - Will do.
#9 rest up now, you will need it in a few days.- Fun times. ;)  Actually, I'm very excited (but well stocked on coffee).  Thoughts on temp drops?  Should I take temps 3x a day at this point?  (I've read both twice and three times advised at this point).  As a child, we bred/raised beagles so I'm not totally ignorant to what's to come.  Just a bit anxious about going it alone (but I guess everyone has their first litter at some point ;)  ).

FYI:  the "local" breeder (which is still an hour away) has no interest in OFA, age restrictions, or otherwise doing basic homework (peds, importing pregnant dams at 18 mo of age - obviously hip stamps at this age is an issue, size, temperment, etc.) so trusting his judgement is a big issue.   In truth, we've been walking with him/fellow breeders, researching, etc for a good two years now before going forward with our own first litter.  This isn't something we take lightly or without much forethought.  Thank you for any/all insight - it is much appreciated.

Since this isn't her first litter, she knows what to do. You will be there just to supervise and act if there's an emergency.

IMO, at this point, ANY experienced breeder is better then nothing!

You don't have to create a lifelong bond with that person, just someone who know how to whelp puppies who can come and stay until the pups are born. Offer to pay some $$ for the service.

When puppy comes out, you will need to remove sack from head, cut umbilical cord, and if one comes out strugling, you will need to try to recessitate it.... These things are best demonstrated trying to learn on the fly is much less desirable.

While I have had to have one go at resussitation, I have never yet

had to take the placenta off a puppy or cut the cord.  Memos re

having scissors to hand for the latter task have been noted (should

have been on your list SM ?) but I never had to use them.

Granted I have not whelped a maiden bitch;  all I've been there for

have been on second or third litters - but they've always done all

that bit for themselves.  So, 'bunchofmitchells',  have the scissors

to hand, but don't scare yourself thinking you WILL have to do this,

its just a possibility.  Your bitch may quite naturally realise and do

these tasks herself.