Hi everyone, We have made a whelping box for Nugget by following the directions in the Book of the Bitch. I have not gone out and got the fur suggested as I wanted to ask what you think first. I have been told by a few people including the vet that I should just shred newspaper for her instead. I have never done that before and was a little worried as to when she is whelping won't the paper get wet and stick to the pups as she tries to clean them. Also if paper is a good idea how much do you use. Any suggestions as to what to put in the box would be welcome.

Nugget is really getting big. She still vomits once in awhile in the morining. She is urinating more often and has even had a few accidents which is not like her.I am a little concerned about how many pups she might be having as she sure seems to be big already.

Thanks, Dede

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Hi, I would definately get the veterinary bedding - at least 3 big peices to fit the whelping box. Most people used to use shredded newspaper before vet bed was invented but there is no comparison. Place generous amounts of newspaper underneath the vet bed to absorb the fluids that will go straight through- keeping the pups dry. I really would follow the advice in the book you have - there s no better advice!! You will find the world and his wife will offer advice - the bloke next door, the pet shop, the person you meet on walks - and ignore it all, if it differs from the "bible".
It sounds like she has a big litter, just make sure you dont overfeed her. It can be hard to tell but she should not get any fatter over her shoulders/back. Try not to worry, bitches almost always cope with their large litters. Keep us posted. :-) Good luck.

For the actual whelping shredded newspaper is great as you can easily remove the soiled and add more to soak up the birthng fluids (there will be lots).

You really can't beat the Fleece for after though. I alw3asy use white (or a light colour) for whelping boxes, as you can see the colour of the bitches discharge, and whether there is need to worry.

Profleece do a good quality http://www.bedding.demon.co.uk/Mail%20Order.htm

As Brainless says, for the actual whelping use newspaper - she will do most of the shredding when she's 'nesting'! She is likely to carry on scratching up the bdding material in pauses between pups, and there if you use fleece/blankets there is a danger that a whelp could get buried and squashed or smothered when she lies down again.

But afterwards throw out all the soiled newspaper and put down some nice clean fleecy bedding. They will allbe warmer and more comfortable, and the pups will be able to crawl much better on the fleece than on the smooth surface of the newspaper.

Good luck with them!
:)

Hi Dede,

We always use vetbed, it's the best and so easy to wash, dry and fluff up again and it's lovely and soft for the pups. We have never had any problems with this as long as loads of newspaper is underneath.

manda
X

I line the bottom of the whelping box with white plastic/rienforced table cloth type material and glue it in position... lapping up the sides a bit and put the vetbedding on top, it is so easy to clean and dry. John Lewis stock it in their fabric departments ( the table cloth that is)

Al