Nov 302013
 

Fancy is getting heavier and moving slower each day. There is now no doubt that puppies are on the way, quite visible from the outside 🙂  It is about now (2-3 weeks out) that I start to be nervous about the whole whelping thing.  Luckily, my husband stands by and the two of us together keep tabs on progress.  Fancy tends to look to us to help although I’m sure her instinct would take over if we weren’t there.

Contrary to what a lot of folks think, it doesn’t always go smoothly for the mama dog without assistance.  We typically help free the puppies of the sac once they are out and make sure they are breathing well and also clamp and cut the umbilical before giving the puppy a good rubdown.  I don’t think it will ever be “old hat” for me and there is always something to go wrong.  In Fancy’s first litter, she nibbled Bentley’s umbilical cord too short and he had a bleed out which could have been life threatening had we not been close by to help.  Last time, she had two come down the chute at the same time…just room for one!!!  And, of course, little Tardy aka Kona that decided to wait an extra 4 hours to be born.  Yes, always something to get the adrenalin flowing.

Fancy is an awesome mom once the babies come.   Won’t be long now……..Swagger will be passing out bully sticks to all his buds!!

 

  2 Responses to “On the Countdown for Puppies 2013”

  1. I’m glad my Bentley made it safe & sound! We have mama Fancy & Debbie to thank for giving him such a good start in the world! 🙂

    • Luckily, my husband is a quick thinker and I follow up by having things handy and easy to access. First, pressure with the “cut stop” pads, then we tied off with dental floss. And lastly, to get his little system revved up for you, a dab of Karo syrup on his tongue. That may be the reason he has a lot of energy, that sugar is still in his system from Day 1!!! hahaha No worse for the wear 😉 Oh yeah, in the meantime, the next puppy was coming!!! Exciting!

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