posted 07-30-2003 07:06 AM         

So you are awaiting the arrival of a new litter. This is an exciting event for both owner and expectant female, but can be also tiring.

Make sure you make a nesting box for the mother and her puppies. You can tell she is going to deliver her pups when she starts "showing" and nervously starts licking herself and gathering up the sheets that you have put in the nesting box.

If your female is mature and old enough, chances are she will know what to do and nature takes care of the rest. She will clean the puppies one by one when they are born. You will need to supply rubber or latex gloves for yourself to hold the puppies if need be and a heating lamp to keep the puppies warm. They will be wet and need to stay warm. Place a heating lamp on the nesting box over the litter and mother. Also, make sure you have some clear plastic tubing in case one of the pups is having difficulty breathing at first, you can insert it in their mouth and blow air in it.

Be sure to have enough sheets to keep the area dry and clean. If you notice that the mother is passing a green fluid, this is a sign that something is wrong somewhere. Call your veterinarian right away and report the time.

Keep records of all the birth times and the sexes of the pups. Up to the time the pups are 6 weeks old, they will nurse off their mom. If the mother's milk does not come in properly or dries up, you will need to supplement the mother's feedings. Buy baby bottles and baby formula. Fill the bottles and feed the puppies.

By the time they are 4 weeks old, start introducing some baby cereal and formula. Make sure the mixture is loose. If the pups are a large breed, chances are they will start eating on their own at this time. Take them off the formula and start feeding them a good puppy chow formula that you made in your blender by adding water and mixing until loose also.

Leave a bowl of water on the floor, they will also come to the bowl and drink the water. Once they start eating on their own, they do not have to nurse off the mom, but they will still try. They should be ready to leave their mom fully by the time they are six weeks old.