I just came across this on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warwick-Deluxe-Whelping-Delivery-included/dp/B004I5TNK6/ref=pd_sim_199_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=51KqHJ3PWlL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1WKSYHC0NRBVP010F8FB

Is it a good idea to buy a "pack" of everything needed, like this - (maybe not this exact pack, as it might be a crap one! but I've seen others...) or is it better to buy individual bits and pieces?  Looking at the stuff in that pack, is it what experienced breeders think is a good idea to have, or not? 

Thanks!

Just read through the contents and would not buy one personally.  It doesn't even mention obstetric gel (which I find a million times better than KY jelly.)  I also buy a fresh Dopram as soon as I know a bitch is pregnant.  I would not dream of selling it on after like some do, I wouldn't buy second hand Dopram myself.  If I don't need it and a litter is born without any help needed I feel it's a small price to pay, and it is emptied down the sink.

As to buying some of the contents, what a waste when you have similar at home anyway.  I boil old flannels and have them ready if I need to get hold of a pup without my hand slipping.  It's easy to buy scissors, I buy the cheap little scissors on the sewing section at Sainsbury's - rarely required to cut a cord if I'm honest (if they need help I tend to tear the cord rather than cut.)

I could go on, but everyone needs to buy what they think they will need.  Most of the things on that list I've never needed, and have whelped a lot of litters.  I am sure that, bought individually, you can do this a lot cheaper.  I have things that I have never used, just because I read about packs like this. 

Great, thanks Jean

Can people list what they have in their whelping kits, so I can make sure we have everything?  I don't want to buy stuff unnecessarily which we're unlikely to need (or which I wouldn't feel confident using and would want a vet to do), but also want to make sure I have everything.

If people listed their essentials, then if the same things appeared in everyone's lists, I'd assume that was a "must have" item!

Thanks!

I'll try not to miss anything!

Dopram V, never had to use but have passed it on to friends, wouldn't be without it.

Towels cut into smaller pieces, one for each puppy on delivery, kept on radiator during whelping to keep warm, then binned.

Newspaper to deliver on in whelping box, bin bags to clear up.

Vet bed - used once whole litter has arrived.

Antiseptic hand gel.

Sterile scissors, have cut cords on occasion but keep them long.

Thread to tie the cord if mum takes it too short.

KY jelly.

2 smaller cardboard boxes lined with towels, 1 to move pups into as another is being delivered to keep them clean and dry, the second to to transport to vet if it was required or to take in the car along with a hot water bottle in the event of mum needing oxytocin during labour.

Pen, paper to note delivery times and weights - it's easy to lose track when tired.

Scales.

Powdered glucose to put in mums water during whelping, can give a much needed energy boost when we see the droopy tired eyes.

Porridge oats, honey, glucose and eggs - a light meal for mum in the hours following delivery.

Book of the bitch.

Phone with vets number stored.

Powdered puppy milk and bottle - for emergency use.

Hope this helps.

Excellent, thanks!

What is the KY jelly for?  We have some of that for expressing anal glands(!!)...

Would facecloths be able to replace towels for each puppy or would they be too small?

Facecloths would be ideal. KY jelly to help with a stuck pup or examine mum, never had to use but would always have it

Thanks!