So the time for my dog to have these puppies is not coming round fast were on day 46. I have set up her welping box and she seems to love it. So other that a welping box what essentials would you suggest. You know the stuff you never thought off but wish you had handy when the time came.
So far i have. Spare towels, weighting scales, gloves, suction bulb, and scissors. All obviously just in case as I plan to let her get on with it herself but be close by if she needs me. She seems happy in her welping box so that's one less thing to worry about. She's eating lots of natural raw foods and is looking healthy and growing nicely.

More towels. And a few more towels. 200 kitchen rolls. Anti-bac hand wipes/wet wipes. Pen and paper and a visible clock (you think you'd remember when the fist/last pup was born, but in reality, it might not be the first thing in your mind at the time). Vets phone number. Calcium. Hotwater bottle and safe box to put pups in if needed. Puppy milk (hopefully you won't need if it you've got it, but surely will need it if you don't!). Coffee making assistant!

Thank u. Lol. Canning just ask the calcium? What's that used for? I've briefly seen it mentioned but also seen people saying it's not needed. So haven't done as much research into that.

We are also approaching the big date and I made a small list of necessities for two main stages. Star marked are items than might not get used.

Birth:
A plan to keep whelping box dry and clean during birth (thick padding of chip papers, then 10cm layer of shredded white paper bedding on top, then a small piece of vet bed on top for just under the tits for the pups to lay on while nursing while the birth continues; spares of everything to replace if and when wet)
Couple of clean cotton towels for drying and rubbing the pups if necessary
*Dopram
*Oxytocin
*Glucose
Bucket for placentas
Hot water bottle
Small cardboard box for pups when separated from mum (hot water bottle should fit inside)
Paper towels for misc needs
Scales
Bands for marking the pups
*Plan for C-section (24h vet hospital nearby)

Pups and after birth:
Everyday bedding for whelping box (vet bed "pillows" that fit over the plastic floor insert, so the bedding can't fold and suffocate the pups)
Hot water bottle
*First milk formula
*Milk formula
*Feeding tube and syringe
*Feeding bottle
Pups toilet solutions (shredded white paper bedding)
Pups feeding bowl for when weaning

I'm counting days

I don't give calcium either.  Never once needed it in 45 years.  But I won't be without this -

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Battles-Obstetrical-Gel-500g/Productinfo/OBS9006362/

It's so much better than KY jelly, and it's helped so many large pups just slide out.  I've used hyperdrug for many years, especially for Panacur.  And I won't be without Dopram even though it's not required a lot of times.  But I would rather throw it away unused than not have it as standby.  I've had several whelps need it to get started, but just remember that a pup needs to have gasped once before you use it.

monkeyj

I see you list oxytocin, are you saying that you keep this in stock and administer it without vet advice?

I get it from my vet just before birth. The vet knows I know how and when to use it and that I won't use it unless absolutely necessary. I oversaw two births so far and both times I brought it back to him as it wasn't needed. But I like to have it it to hand to avoid the stress and disturbance of taking the dog over to the vets or having the vet come over when just a shot is needed.

All good advice above.

Something for you, don't forget to take some Valium for your nerves

Bin bags for rubbish, usually whelp on newspaper in whelping box then use vet bed after delivery.  Thread or dental floss to tie any cords that are short and bleeding.

> Something for you, don't forget to take some Valium for your nerves

And if like me,  you are likely to be no good without a reasonable amount of sleep each night, somebody to sub you while you do get some shut-eye!!

I would like to add a sensible friend to sit with, patience and a very large dollop of common sense, oh yes and chocolate

Think I'm now ready. Does anyone know the earliest she can have them and they be ok? Today is day 51. I'm really hoping she gets to 63. The puppies seem extremely active last night. Amazing feeling and seeing them move. On one had I can't wait to meet them but other hand I want them to stay put for as long as possible

If they are super active means there is still a way to go! Wait till they grow a bit more and run out of space, then it will be the time

Good luck.  Saw a healthy litter born on day 56.

So today is day 56. Looks like my dog has little aliens in her tummy. I think I have pretty much everything she may or may not need. Now just to wait. And give her as much tlc as she wants.

My dog is 64 days pregnant today first litter, she's not eating, still drinking water, sleeping a lot, she won't let me take a rectal temp. She has shown some signs of nesting, follows me every where I go in the house, but no pups yet. Called the vet explain all of her symptoms and they informed me to just keep an eye on her. Should I be worried? Also, I witnessed the mating on 12/29-12/30-and 12/31. Please any advise would be helpful.