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URGENT! Rescued Boxer-X about to whelp. Need advice!

3K views 33 replies 13 participants last post by  KenyaARaineCD 
#1 ·
I have just been "blessed" with being foster mom to a Boxer-mix pulled off the street who is about to whelp at any moment. The main problem is she has to stay in a pen/dog run, I cannot bring her inside my house. :( I have never helped whelp a litter. I need to know what to expect and how to spot an emergency situation.

She will see the vet this afternoon, but any advice is appreciated.

Also, does anyone want to adopt a Boxer/GSD-mix puppy? They'll be ready to go to their new homes in about 8 weeks. ;)

THANKS!!!
 
#2 ·
Is this on your own or through a rescue group? If through a group, hopefully they have someone who can help.

how is the kennel set up? For the first 3-5 days I don't leave pupppies and dam unsupervised so an outside kennel is obviously not the ideal situation (it is better than being on the street). Is there a whelping box with a pig rail so she can't squish the puppies? Do you have any supplies?

This is a pretty educational site

Information about breeding and whelping a litter of puppies

You'll have to decide what you are going to do with umblical cords. Let dam do it or do it yourself. I personally didn't let the dam do it. I had a vet tech friend help me clamp it, tied it with dental floss and she cut it. You'll need a ton of towels to keep puppies dry. how are you regulating the temp in the kennel? Puppies need it warm, really really warm.

I really think the best thing IF possible is to have someone who has whelped a litter come help. That's not always possible :) Even with my one singleton and seeing a few whelps, I'd never do it alone. I'm also a stress nut :)
 
#3 ·
It's really not something you can teach/learn overnight by reading the internet. Contact some breed clubs/kennel clubs/training clubs in your area and find someone who knows what they are doing to help.

And why in the world can't she come in the house? How do you plan to have the area hot enough and climate controlled enough for newborns through the first few weeks? And how are you going to supervise them constantly night and day at first if they aren't in the house?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Back from seeing the vet. I'm not so panicked now as the vet says she's one to two weeks from whelping. I have time to get up to speed on the subject. Thanks for the suggestions to find a whelping mentor. I'll call the shelters.

@adara: I'm providing a safe place for Momma Dog while she whelps and raises the litter. The actual rescuer doesn't have a fenced yard. There is a rescue group that is helping with some of the vet costs, but Momma Dog is not in their adoption program.

And why in the world can't she come in the house?
My resident female dog is same-sex aggressive and she and my two males have high prey drive. Momma dog (and pups) will be safer if segregated. (Vet agrees it's not an ideal situation, but approves of the plan.)
How do you plan to have the area hot enough and climate controlled enough for newborns through the first few weeks? And how are you going to supervise them constantly night and day at first if they aren't in the house?
Don't know, but now that I have a little more time, I can look into these issues and figure out what to do. Also, I'll try to find someone who can lend me a whelping box.

---------------------------
A clarification: the pen/run is attached to the back of the house where there's a small patio with a roof/overhang. The patio is off a utility room. The whelping box will be placed inside the utility room. Momma dog will have access to the utility room, the covered patio and a large patch of dirt that gets sunlight in the mornings and evenings. (Grass died away because of the drought. :( )

---------------------------
Once again, thanks to all for the suggestions. More advice and ideas are always welcome.

I'm gonna be a grandma! ;)
 
#5 ·
The whelping room should be around 80 degrees. I think it's at about 4 weeks old where they can finally start to regulate their own body temperature. Did the vet xray to tell you how many to expect? Did the vet walk you through temping the bitch the week before? I temp 2-3 times a day and chart the temp. When it drops and STAYS low, then it's time. Did he tell you how long to go in between puppies or how long to wait if sac breaks and puppy is still inside? Make sure to count puppies and placentas so you know if there is a retained placenta (that's very bad and can cause infection). You may need to help if a puppy is breach also. My vet walked me through it on the phone (to the vet tech who relayed to me). You don't always have to help but I had a singleton and the vet wanted him out. Did the vet say when it was time for a c-section? As in when is too long to go?

Personally I'd get a scale too and weigh each puppy two times a day with a chart to make sure they are all gaining weight appropriately.

You could get lucky, it could go easy like my friend who had a bitch dumped on her and she had 4 puppies naturally and she was on her own the entire time without any help. never seen or whelped a litter. But it could go the other way too.

What are you going to do if there is a cleft pallet puppy? Does the vet want her in for a shot after she delivers?
 
#7 ·
I e-mailed some rescuers of my acquaintance asking for a "whelping mentor". I have gotten a couple of responses, with one offer to talk me through it. (Also, I will re-read all my dog care books' chapters on whelping a litter.)
So far, no offers to lend a whelping box, but did get instructions on how to make one (not a viable plan at the moment).
Two alternatives suggested for whelping boxes were: plastic kiddie wading pool (don't have) and, giant-size Vari-Kennel (which I do have). I prefer the Vari-Kennel because I can put the top on it and drape a comforter over it at night to keep them warm. What say y'all?
{snip}Did the vet...
To answer most of your questions: basically, "Nope". (Sadly, X-rays aren't in the budget.)
I have a rectal thermometer (used for dogs only). I have a kitchen scale that goes up to 11 pounds.
I don't know how I'm going to regulate the temperature of the utility room. I might have to get a heat lamp/bulb (dog-safe) and find some way to put it in the plastic kennel. We've entered that time of year when the days are pretty warm, but the nights can get chilly (upper 50s to low 60s F).
What are you going to do if there is a cleft pallet puppy?
Sorry, dunno. Will look into the issue and consult the co-rescuer and rescue group about it.
Does the vet want her in for a shot after she delivers?
Didn't say, but I'll call the clinic and ask before she whelps.

@Darkevs: He palpated her abdomen, auscultated her thorax and abdomen, and examined her vulva and teats for discharge(s). FWIW, he used to show, breed, judge (AKC) and rescue "English" Bulldogs and French Bulldogs.

The vet vax'd her for DHLPP, but said to hold off on the rabies. Unbelievably, the dog tested negative for HW (antigen test). {A 5-year-old street dog without HWs? Incredible! Astounding! Staggering! No way, man!} Can I give her Ivermectin now? What about Frontline? She was loaded w/fleas. I bathed her w/a very mild shampoo and rinsed her w/water, then rinsed her w/unfiltered ACV diluted in water, but don't know how long that will keep the fleas off her. Can/should I just sprtiz her on a daily basis with diluted ACV?

Dang, but I'm iggurunt about breeding dogs. Well, I told y'all I spay and neuter everything!!

:sleepy:
 
#8 ·
Just stay with her while she is whelping...on newspapers or whatever. That part is messy.

Have some nice blankets ready that the pups can't get tangled in. Flat rugs maybe.

Keep calm. She needs that from you mostly. Then let her take over, while you get help.
 
#12 ·
I've seen/heard of puppies getting umbilica hernias and in 2 cases puppies dying from over eager mothers with experienced whelpers and healthy dams. That's why I don't do it. I'm on a lot of email lists so keep that in mind too. It might not happen often. I'm wasn't willing to risk it myself.
 
#10 ·
Wow Good LUCK. I have whelped several litters..Things to have on hand.. LOTS of newspaper.. I go to the recycle bins and go dumpster diving or should I say my hubby does LOL.. :doctor:NONwaxed dental floss to tie the cords off with.. a couple of clamps(you can borrow from the vet) Scissors.. LOTs of towels.. We went to Walmart and go shoprags.. Cheap.. Or go to the local Goodwill.. baby bulb syringe to clean out the mouth and nose.. Baby bottle and puppy milk..a small heater or heatlamp..I love a product called PetZZZpad or snuggle safe microwave pad, to put in a basket while I am whelping the other puppies so I can keep the first one warm and safe while Mom is delivering the others if needed.(I have seen Mommies stand up to deliver and almost step on the other new borns) Stopbleed.. Scale..I keep Karo syrup on hand for weak puppies to give them.. Leash and collar.. Sometimes they need to be walked between puppies.. And Keep a flashlight on hand.. I know one Bitch that wanted to walk and she almost delivered a puppy outside.
A clock or timer to time the space between each puppy.. Note paper that I can keep a record of -Puppy-timeborn, weight, sex , color, markings, etc..
Also PLEASE watch if the mommy is cutting the cord.. Some newmom might cut the cord too short.. If she does not have an after birth with each puppy it is no big deal..
Start today by taking her temp..Normal is 101. If it drops below 99 and stays.. you will have puppies within 12 to 24 hours... Keep a close eye on her.. Good luck and If you need anything else let me know as I have helped with lots of babies over the years...
 
#16 ·
Is there a vet around you that is on call for house calls for when she's ready to whelp?
During office hours, my regular vet will handle things. Primary rescuer (and decision-maker) has selected an emergency room where I'm to take the family in the event of off-hour complications.
Hope all goes well. I'd be a nervous wreck!
Thanks! I already am a nervous wreck! LOL!

@Darkevs: Want to post pix of Momma Dog, but forgot my flickr username and pw. How the $*&% do I get back in it?

Thanks to all for suggestions & advice. Am reading it all. Just kind of swamped with trying to contact folks and reading stuff and dealing with my needy foster Dobe, the feral cats, and visiting in-laws and life and everything.

Thanks!:wavey:
 
#18 · (Edited)
My camera doesn't take very good quality still pix, but I got some video. PM me if you want the YouTube linx.

Update: she's sleeping in the dog house on the patio at night, and on the dog bed in the utility room during the day. Her temperature is normal. She pants during the day and seems warm to the touch. Her mucus membranes look normal. The vet said it was okay to put Frontline on her and give her HW prevention, so that's done. Her appetite comes and goes. I've been reading up on the signs of imminent labor and so far, no indication of it.

Will be getting huge delivery of newspaper soon, but no whelping box, yet. Still hoping to hear from one last person. (A rescuer was going to lend me her box, but someone else borrowed it and hasn't returned it. An ethical Dobe breeder contacted me to offer help and advice, but has a litter due the same day so she can't lend me her box.)
 
#21 ·
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#23 ·
Her attitude is still upbeat, but she's tired of moving her bulk around. She's definitely off her feed and not even interested in the kibble mixed with wet food. He abdomen and teats have gone from pliable to tight-as-a-drum to firm, but pliable. No nesting behaviors, no discharge from teats (or anywhere else). I offered her a soft toy to see if she wanted to cuddle it, but she's not interested.

No one has a box available, so I set up the giant Vari-Kennel's bottom half with newspapers and some cotton sheets. I have two space heaters I will set up on top of some concrete pavers on top of plastic crates, with the cords tied to an overhead pipe to keep them off the floor. My mom is a needlwork fan, so I'll be "raiding" her stocks for ribbon, yarn, and rickrack to make ID collars for the pups. A DT member has generously sent me a "care package" with milk replacement formula, clamps, bulb syringes and some other stuff. We're hoping the package arrives before the pups do.

Other than that, it's still watch and wait.
 
#25 ·
Kenya - Wishing you and your soon-to-be mama all the best. Keep us posted when you can.
 
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#28 ·
Baby/Kiddie pools are dangerous as whelping boxes. Boxers aren't known for being the most graceful of mothers, and mum could easily slip or slide in the pool and squash puppies. I've used a blow-up kiddie pool for smaller breeds in a pinch, but ideally, a corrugated plastic or pvc box with pig-planks (not rails, planks!!) would be most useful.

If you can, I would get several sheets of tarpaulin and layer newspaper on top of the tarp, add another layer of tarp with more newspaper, then another layer of tarp etc. This way you can remove a layer of the newspaper/tarp and have a fresh layer ready and waiting with little fuss.

The puppies need to be kept at a certain temperature, otherwise they will not be able to digest food. A puppy's tummy contains an enzyme that helps long the digestion process, but this enzyme is only active above a certain temperature. You should never allow a cold puppy to feed, else the food will just sit in the gut and wont digest, leading to a host of other problems. Quickest way to warm up a cold puppy is skin to puppy contact. Heat lamps are useful, just make sure there is a place where mom can escape the light/heat.

Hope the whelping goes smoothly!
 
#29 ·
I never thought I could read so fast!!! I read threw this whole post like a speed reader! So exciting and nerve racking....
Photos, photos PLEASE POST PHOTOS!!!
And a DT person sent you a care package... aww how sweet!!!
I got some valuable information as well reading everyones answers!!!
I hope you get a welping box soon!!!
How about posting her story along with a "wanted ad" on your vets wall, or inside of pet-co or what ever pet store you frequent asking to have or barrow a welping box.... or maybe even craigs list would have one...

Good luck with the mom and pups!!!
 
#30 ·
It's wonderful of you to do this. I'm anxiously waiting for updates and I hope it all goes smoothly.
 
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#31 ·
Where I live, you can go to any newspaper printing place and get their roll ends (the last part of the roll not large enough to fit on the spool) There is usually lots left on the rolls (come in various sizes, depending on the size of the newspaper or flyers being printed), cheap and much cleaner than printed papers. Prevents ink from getting all over, and momma from licking ink when she's cleaning.
 
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