whelping advice.

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, My Shih-tzu is approx 56 days since her mating so I am preparing for pups very soon. (It wasn't planned she was at my moms while I was away and her Shihtzu tied with mine.) I have got all the essentials I read about, whelping box, kit etc... I just wanted some extra advice as this is my 1st time.
I know the signs of labour and will start taking Honeys temp tomorrow, I have the vets number on hand in case of an emergency but I'm just worried incase theres a scenario where theres no time for a vet. I have been doing alot of reading and have read some scary situations. Will she have a green discharge followed by a pup and placenta everytime? I know that the placentas do not always come with the pup but there needs to be 1 for everyone in total. How long do I leave Honey to break the sack before I intervene? And then do I immediately cut the cord or pass it back to her to do it? If I have to do it I have read that I tie it off 2cm away from pups belly with dental floss and then a further 1cm and cut between and then dab with iodine is this correct? Do I do all this before rubbing with the towel? At any point do I help assist when she is pushing the pup out? I have read that I need to gently guide towards moms head along her tummy?
Lastly there are a view conflicting views on whether to move the pups into a heated box between deliveries after they have fed to encourage contractions to begin again shall I do this?
How do I know if a pup is very unwell and what is the best thing I can do? I haven't put pig rails in the box yet does she need them?
I am so sorry for all the questions, I have probably read the answers a thousand times but I feel very nervous for her now, I don't want to let her down she Is my baby. she is on a very good natural dog food and have also started her on nature diet puppy meat, I wormed her at the advice of my vet yesterday with there formula which they said was safe. I don't know how many to expect as they wouldn't/couldn't say by the ultrasound, how do I know that she has finished labor? They told me to take her for a check-up after 2 days! I guess I'm just asking for any advice you can give me to help with the impending day, I am praying they are all okay.
many thanks in advance
SAM

ANSWER: Hi Sam,

First time whelpings are very scary stuff. But I have a feeling you will do just fine.

The first thing I would recommend is that sometime soon, ie. today or tomorrow, to take your bitch to the veterinarian for an X ray. This will give you an idea as to how many puppies to expect and will put your mind at ease a lot. One puppy can be scary, two puppies not so much.

Once you know how many puppies are expected, you'll know how many placentas. One placenta is required for each puppy, and yes, is often accompanied by a green/black/brown discharge that is hard to wash away.

When my girl whelped her first litter, she did not know what to expect with the first puppy, and so I helped her to break the sac after about 5 seconds. Do not leave it too long, as the puppy can aspirate. Once the sac is broken (it should be very difficult to break, so try to grow your nails a little before the big event) I present the puppy to my bitch, so that she can chew off the umbilical cord. Often mom will lick and nuzzle and fuss over puppy. If she does not chew the cord, I do this after a minute or so, as long as the puppy is in good health. If the puppy is not breathing or lifeless, I don't give quite so long.

If mom is really pushing well, you shouldn't have to guide puppies much. If she is really struggling, you may need to assist her. As she pushes, you can grasp (usually with a towel, as the puppies are very slippery) gently the puppy and guide it towards her head. Once the contraction subsides, its likely the puppy can slip back in somewhat.

I wouldn't let a bitch go more than 1 hour of straining and pushing with hard contractions without looking for some assistance. If the bitch is content and quiet and not distressed, I increase that to three hours.

I'm wishing you and your girl the best of successes!
melissa

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

QUESTION: Thanks Melissa for the words of encouragement! I will ring the vets tom to get her in for an xray. I just wanted to ask a couple more things: Again I have read different things about when the pups arrive, firstly I read they can be born healthy between 56-63 days after the first mating but then I read thats they cant survive until at least 58 days after last mating! She only had one as far as we are aware but which one is correct? Also I read on a site that she gives the mom TOMS tablets during labor and one a day after as a calcium supplement, but is this safe ? Lastly the same lady recommended giving pups who arent looked after properly by mom a mixture of water, salt and some sort of honey I'd rather not intervene this way and if I did could I not just give them a puppy formula?
Once again thanks for all your advice

Answer
Its hard to say when your girl is actually 'due' as dogs can conceive up to one week after they've ovulated. So its difficult to answer your questions. Usually, if puppies are early they will lack facial or leg hair or their toenails won't be as long as those who are full gestation. If you take an X ray and there are skeletons, you needn't worry, as calcification of the bones is the last thing to occur.

Tums after whelping is just fine, I prefer to add cottage cheese to my girl's diet, as too much calcium isn't good for the puppy's bone growth.

Once puppies are born, you will check for cleft palates. If you have a puppy who is not thriving, there is usually cause and as hard as it is, its sometimes more humane to let them go. I give each of my puppies ample time to come to after birth, have tube fed etc. I would consult your veterinarian before offering any homemade concoctions. If you can get some goats milk or goats milk powder, you can feed the puppies this if needed.

Good luck!
melissa