The wait is getting nerve wracking!

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ajford

Boxer Booster
My girl is expecting her first litter on Jan. 5th. It is my first litter as well. We have an appt. for Dec. 30th to x-ray her and get an accurate count. We set up the whelping box last night. My friend/mentor, backup friend/mentor, and backup backup canine midwife have all been contacted. Unfortunately, her due date coinsides with one of the first big shows of the year here in California so all my show friends who may have been helping me will most likely be gone, hence the need for all the people, although I appreciate having everyone around to help me.

At this point, I just really want the labor and delivery over. I've read and reread posts about all the bad things that can happen, and I think I've covered all the bases as best as I can ahead of time.

Any advice for this first timer from those who have been through it?

And, yes, before you ask, all of the health testing was completed, I have carefully considered the breeding, and feel I'm definitely going to be bettering the breed, and will be keeping my next show prospect from the litter.

Amber
 
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Vela

Boxer Insane
I don't know anything about breeding because I have never done it but it sounds like you have taken all of the right steps and I'm sending good thoughts and pryaers your way that everything goes just fine. Good luck momma and babies!
 
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ajford

Boxer Booster
I'm excited

Thanks for the well wishes. I am excited about the whole adventure ahead of me, I just hope everything goes well and my girl stays safe.

Amber
 
JulieM

JulieM

Boxer Insane
Any advice for this first timer from those who have been through it?
Click to expand...

Don't forget to breathe. :)

Get plenty of sleep over the next week, because you won't get much around her due date and for the first week or so afterward.

Have all of your whelping books, articles, vet books, etc. right there in the whelping room for easy access in case you have a question about something.

Have lots of 'fun' reading material, as well, for the pre-whelping hours when you can't bear to leave her even though she's sound asleep.

Have some Rescue Remedy on hand - maybe for the bitch and puppies, definitely for you!

Map out the quickest route to the vet, and an alternate route in case of heavy traffic, and keep the vet's phone number handy. Have extra whelping supplies (scissors, thread, towels, etc.) and a box with clean blankets in the car, as many a bitch has delivered in the back seat en route to the vet.

Know what can go wrong, and have a clear plan for what to do about it if it does.

Chances are you won't need most of this, but you'll be much less stressed if you're prepared for every contingency - and a stressed owner can lead to a stressed bitch, when can be problematic.

One last thing - be aware of the dangers of puppy hypnosis. You can lose hours at the side of the whelping box, watching puppies nurse. :)
 
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ajford

Boxer Booster
I wouldn't have thought of equipment in the car!

Thanks Julie. I've got keeping the car gassed up and having mulitple people present in case we have to go to the vet, I've got a "box" for carrying any puppies that might already have been born, but didn't consider that I may need other equipment.
 
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ajford

Boxer Booster
Not sleeping...

I think that may be the hardest part. My daughter, who is now 6, slept through the night 3 days after coming home from the hospital. I can just imagine the sleep gods up there with evil grins on their faces, waiting for retribution
 
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ajford

Boxer Booster
More to worry about...

Well, we just got back from our x-ray. My friends who have had litters before went with me. They looked at her and thought 6-7, I was hoping for 8 at the most. There's 11!!!! I realise there is nothing I can do about it at this point, but what new things should I have?

Milk replacer
bottles
nipples


Amber
 
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SoleilBxrs

Banned
wow Amber! what wonderful, and overwhelming news! :D since we've never been thru a whelp, all we can offer is all the best luck. I would think that TONS of clean towels/rags/shirts is a must. A couple extra hands and a time stopper (so you can catch up on sleep/rest) would be nice too! :LOL: Best of luck. keep us updated!!!

-Kat
 
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