Young Pregnant Lab

Question
QUESTION: My 12 month old yellow lab is pregnant with our 9 year old male black labs pups. I am concerned that she got pregnant so young. We really wanted to wait another year. What are some complications that I should be aware of due to her young age? Also, how can I tell if she is about to go into labor, what are some obvious signs? And finally, should we keep the male away from her at this time, since she is about 55 days or so pregnant? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

ANSWER: I don't foresee any physical complications with her pregnancy and delivery due to age. You might have some issues with her not knowing what to do with the pups. Or not being terrific at taking care of them, or staying with them, a lot of that depends on maturity and temperament as much as age.
You don't need to separate her from your male until she goes into labor.
Start checking her temp once morning and once night at the same time every day. Normal, average temp is about 101 degrees F rectally. If you notice a drop down below 99 you're going to have babies usually within 24 hours. Make sure you set up her whelping area and nursery now. She needs to get used to sleeping there. Some dogs get very secretive when they are going into labor, they try to hide in closets under beds etc. Some like to be right up under you and are very needy, some shred paper and 'make beds' , some will try to get outside to have their babies. I would say watch for any and all of these changes, plus a loss of appetite. Usually they will show signs, pacing hiding etc, heavily panting an odd expression in their eyes, looking oddly at their tummies. Make sure she is on a puppy food or food for pregnant bitches now to make sure she has enough milk and strong babies. Deworm her two weeks before pups are due, then again when they are born and again when they are two weeks and you begin their deworming regimen. Have your vet on call anything can happen and often does. If she goes for very long pushing hard and heavily panting with no progress call your vet. You may have to help her break the back, cut the cord, dry baby off and get it breathing well, for the first couple of pups to show her what to do, or even for the whole litter.
I'll post back this morning with some web addys to help you out
Happy Holidays
Cindi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Cindi,
I know you alredy answered my questions, but I thought of one more that I forgot to ask. Sorry, this is my first time having puppies so I am really new to this. I was wondering whether or not I need to be the one to cut the cord and tie it, or will the bitch take care of all that? I have read different articles and they all say different things. If you could let me know whether or not my assistance is needed on this, that would really help me out. Thanks again for all your help.

Answer
It depends on how she's doing.  You may have to do it at first. Don't be in a hurry to cut it. It should be more clamped off than cut off anyway.
http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/whelping1.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxNoFyatpWU
http://lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/breeding2.htm
These are three websites that can probably give you some more help and ideas. Utube has actual live births that you can watch on your pc.
Let me know if I can be of any more help
Cindi