ACC
K9 Servant
Feb 28, 2010, 11:59 PM
Views: 20822
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Re: [ACC] THE JOYS OF BEAGLING 2 (Breeding and Welphing)
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Whelping Puppies (Birth to 3 weeks)…
The pups can be so strong, that when the Dam stands up, they can hang on and get dragged out of the whelping box; make sure your set-up prevents this.
At this stage, it is important to check for swollen teats, and make sure you put a pup on the full teats to prevent mastitis; an excess of milk, may cause the Dam to become restless and uncomfortable. She may refuse to nurse her pups. You may need to draw off a little milk first to relieve the pressure, unless it is SO swollen and hot, hard and red and you think mastitis is set in. Mastitis is an infection of the milk gland. If you suspect mastitis, It is a myth, to not put the pups on to the infected teat. ""Call your vet as soon as possible, as in advanced stages you will need an antibiotic"". You will need to massage and drain the teat.
Pups should start gaining right away - 0 to 20 grams the first day. Watch for puppies who's weight goes down. Pups should double their birth weight at 8 to 11 days.
Remember the Nutritional requirements of the Dam while nursing is Very High. It is wise to add vitamins to the Diet with larger litters, and keep the Dam on high quality puppy food. A lack of fluids in the diet, will lower her milk supply, so make sure there is always fresh water available.
In the first 3 to 4 weeks, the Dam will totally care for the puppies. She will feed them clean them, and totally clean up after them. Keep puppy nails trimmed so they do not tear at the Dam with sharp claw tips.
Day 3 or 4 after birth:
The Dam may develop diarrhea, this is often from cleaning up puppy waste. A call to the vet is recommended in case it is something more serious.
Pups should be weighed twice daily for the first few days.
Put the pups who are slower gainers on the teats for a head start or put the smaller pups on the larger teats. IF there are 5 pups, and 8 teats, then a few times a day, you can make sure the smaller puppies get to drain 2 teats. If you do not do this, then the big puppies, ALWAYS get 2 teats, and gain weight even more rapidly. It is intervening, but it works very well to pick up the slower puppies.
After the birth, the dam's hair always falls out, while she is raising a litter. Up to 60% of it, but normally 40%.Likely happens to help cool them, this is normal and it can come out in chunks. If too much hair falls out too fast, she could be lacking something in her diet. Sometimes you will not notice much hair at all come out. Some loose it gradually, some all of the sudden.
The whelping box is only good for the first 3 weeks, then they need a mini home which includes potty station and of course a play area too. They are now ready to start being housetrained. Breeders that use the partition method will teach their pups the concept of house training before they leave for their new homes.
At 3 weeks:
The pups are becoming more mobile. They are beginning to venture out to explore and relieve themselves, to a papered area twice the size of their whelp box. At this time, keep the bed clean and smelling fresh, but only change the paper minimal (underneath kennel board) but clean the surface and bottom area. They learn to go outside to eliminate very quickly, as by day 21, they have developed their sense of smell, and will start to discriminate where to relieve themselves. They can now eliminate without stimulation, the Dam should still continue to clean up after them. Could also help by cleaning, and the Dam would appreciates it very much.
They are beginning to play a little with themselves and littermates, and are becoming more aware of their environment, and slightly vocal. At times you hear the odd attempt at a bark.
 That concludes the topic on breeding and whelping; The Joys Of Beagling 2….Cheers!
(This post was edited by ACC on Mar 1, 2010, 12:42 AM)
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