QuestionHI I have a friend who is whelping their first litter of bassett babbies as we "type". I am not as informed on bassetts as I am my own breed- shelties. What is the normal weight of a newborn bassett? any whelping or new born information you can share would be greatly apprechiated.
AnswerDonna,
I have never had a basset who has whelped pups.
As far as the weight is really just depends, I am only guessing about a half pound.
The basics of birth pretty much apply to any breed of dog.
As soon as the baby and sac come out, make sure the mama opens the sack quickly, and starts cutting the umbilical cord. I would get some scissors and some dental floss in case she cant get it cut on her own. You just tie the floss in a knot about 2 inches above the stomach and then about an inch apart tie another knot and cut in between.
Make sure she cleans all their noses, and mouths so that they can breath.
Have some clean dry bedding ready for her and her pups when you think she is pretty much finished put them on it.
Keeping the liter warm is pretty much all you have to do from there on for about 3 days.
If she starts in to labor and you can see her actively pushing, and nothing happens within 30 mins, you should call the vet.
Once the active labor starts, she could have up to 2 hours in between each labor for each pup.
Pups born butt first aren't usually a problem unless she has problems with pushing them out. If the pup is out half way and she can push it out with in two contractions call the vet.
Hope this is of some help.
crystal
