Puppy Whelping Page
Updated August 26th 2007
Here is where we will update everyday until the puppies are born!
This is a picture of Magic from Sunday. She is resting a lot and not eating so much, there isn't a lot of room in there! The babies can be pretty rambunctious. It is nice to be able to feel them moving around and kicking our hands when we put them on her sides.
We've filled a baby pool with shredded newspaper so she can start digging around in it when she starts nesting. We'll take the newspaper out when the babies start to be born and put fleece down. Her temperature from this morning was 100° F. When it drops to below 100° we will expect her to go into labor within 12-24 hours.
This evening her temperature is 99.5°. We'll be keeping a close eye on her and if she doesn't go into labor we'll check her temp in the morning!
Updated August 27th, 2007 10:14pm
Well despite lot's of restless activity at night there were no puppies! Her temperature measured 100° in the morning.
She rested most of the day with a few jaunts outside. At least the weather is a little cooler. Most of last week we were in the high nineties and it was miserable. So now 80's is pleasant...go figure!
Her evening temperature is 99.7°. The puppies are very vigorous and moving quite a bit. I could count three separate positions on one side with kicks and squirms. Her temperature should stay below 100° pretty consistently before she goes into labor so we will check it again in the morning!
Updated Tuesday August 28th 10:19pm
Well, you know your dog is smart when she learns a new word in two days. Tonight when I said let's take your temperature she proceeded to back her butt against the wall on the opposite side of the room. As we know, Mom's get to have all of the fun. Tonight's temperature was 100.5°. I think the babies get very happy when she lays down for sleep. Last night I could feel lot's of somersaults and wiggles.
I did some more reading on the temperature thing. Some places say 99.4-99.6 means labor is imminent, and some say 98-99°. So I think the key is a consistent, noticeable drop. So I think I'll do a chart.
We have not gotten x-rays to tell the number of pups. My vet recommended against this simply because it isn't accurate anyway and he will see her shortly after the birth to make sure all is well and everyone made it out.
More updates tomorrow!
Updated Wednesday August 29th, 2007
Tonight we have seen more digging at things and nesting behavior. Her temp is 100.5° and she actually ate quite well today. I was glad to see that. She has only been eating a cup of food or so the last three or four days and so today she ate two cups. She'll need the energy for delivery! We are all ready with vanilla ice cream for the birth. Giving her a little ice cream during labor helps keep her calcium and glucose up. I'll just have to make sure the kids stay out of it!!!!!
More tomorrow.
Updated 30th of August
99.2° tonight. She's been digging in her newspaper and digging outside and digging behind every place she can find. But not in a frantic kind way, just purposeful. It's 10:38pm. I've been keeping her close at night and she wakes me when she gets up and moves around. Last night was actually the best nights sleep in a week or so! So maybe she was saving up energy.
She isn't panting or completely restless yet. So we may have a little while still.
I'll post if anything happens!
Updated Friday the 31st of August 11:37pm
Well we had a rousing start to the day. Lot's of panting, digging and pacing. No progress to serious contractions yet though. However, her temperature reading from tonight is 97.8° and so I think the time is upon us. Off to get coffee.
It's 10:43 p.m. and the first yellow male is nursing. He was welped five minutes before. We are warming towels and writing down data. The second is out and kicking at 11:36 p.m. a yellow girl.
Updated Friday the 31st of August 11:53 p.m.
The third is a black girl whelped at 11:37 p.m. and doing fine. The weights in order are 423 g. 425 g. and 429 g. so they keep getting bigger.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 12:10 a.m.
All three are nursing and doing fine. Rachel, Mack, and Calvin are helping holding the wiggly puppies.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 12:24 a.m.
The fourth is born and she is black and ready to nurse with her brother and sisters.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 12:36 a.m.
The fifth puppy is born and he is black and ready to nurse with her brother and sisters too. Little miss variety.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 1:06 a.m.
The sixth puppy is born and she is black and ready to nurse with her brother and sisters too. She will have a yellow ribbon on her and the fourth has a peach ribbon.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 1:50 a.m.
Trying to keep clean towels for the puppies and mom. The seventh puppy was dead and she could not be revived after 20 minutes. Very sad time indeed. The kids are going to bed now and Joyce and I will be staying up with the mother and puppies.
Updated Saturday the 1st of September 2:30 a.m.
The eighth puppy is a black male and after some coaxing is feeding well. Magic looks very tired as do we.
Updated Monday September 3rd
Big brother with his arm around his sister
Puppies in their bed with Mom
Updated Tuesday September 4th
You can't plan shots like this you can just check on them often and have a camera close by.
Updated Saturday September 8th
The happy tired mommy rolls over and the puppies gotta climb. New pictures are with the puppy slide shows.
