We are preparing for our first litter in a couple of months and have been looking to buy the equipment for the whelping process (and not just whelping boxes!!) and have looked on the internet and at crufts but nothing there. There are companies in america that do but I was looking for a company in this country. Can anyone recommend anywhere ??

Also as recommended we have bought the book of the bitch which has been extremely useful. The book suggest that instead of buying Whelping boxes we should use big cardboard boxes (not disposable boxes but normal cardboard boxes). Has anybody experience using disposable, plastic, wooden and normal cardboard boxes and which do think think is most suitable.

Any advice would be most appreciated (doesnt matter much you look into breeding who will never know everything so all advice is useful)

Thanks

sarah & chris

Hi, we had a litter two weeks ago and I used a large cardboard box which had low sides. I was lucky enough to have recently received a bed so the boxes were perfect. I am now on my second box which I stuck plastic window frosting stuff on the base so I just wash it over everytime I change the bedding. I would definately recommend the vet bed stuff. There are a few different brands and if you do a search there is a thread recommending certain brands. I used lots of towels in the box when she was whelping which were old ones and just threw them away. The only problem with a cardboard box is the fear of the bitch squashing a pup but you need to spend the first week or so by there side so this should not happen. I'm sure other people will recommend other things. Good luck with your litter. Louise

I can't see why you can't knock up a pair of pig rails for a cardboard box pretty easily.  Having said that, like you I sleep along side the litter for at least the first 10 days or so.
I use a snow silk plastic box which is good but I do have a problem keeping groves clean so needs a very thorough soak and grooves scrubbed out in disinfectant after a litter and I probably would not buy one again.  However as it cost the earth I expect it to see me out on my breeding career :)
Breed books will often give plans for simple welping boxes of wood in the appropriate size for you to make yourself and disposable one are also available for purchase.  Whether a cardboard or disposable one would be suitable will largely depend on breed.
Can't imagine what else you could possibly need that you cannot find in this country

Hi

interested to know what equipment you are looking for and can only get from america.

I dont have any special whelping equipment.

You need some sort of bed for her to give birth in, I am using a big plastic dog bed, easy to clean and as she is a small breed very convinent. When the pups get a bit bigger and able to get out the bed I will put it in a puppy pen. 

I use vetbed or profleece to line it. with newapaper under this

When she was giving birth I had plenty of old towels, a pair of kitchen sissors, a kitchen roll, and old blankets in the bed that went straigh into the bucket. I also had a hotwater bottle in a cardboard box with a blanket to put the pups in to keep them safe and warm between deliveries. A black rubbish bag to put the rubbish in naturally lol.

I already had a tin of Lactol and a small feeding bottle if needed these came from the petshop. I dont take temperatures so dont need a thermomiter but some do so that could be got easily from the chemist.

My pups are in the house with a constant temperature so dont need a heat lamp or heatpads, but again these can be got from a petshop or on line.

Cant think of anything else you would need.Apart from lots of coffee for the owners :o))

Wendy

We actually knock together a wooden box from cheap wood each time, easy enough to do, buying broom handles to use as pig rails, and then burn it afterwards. That way I am sure no germs will stay for the next litter.This method has worked just fine, and we can pick the most suitable size and everything. :)

If you mean equipment for the actual whelp,then I would recommend the following items :

Rounded tip scissors (I had the nail scissors which are for babies.) for cutting cords if you have to.
KY Jelly (to ease exit of first pup etc)
Lots of towels and kitchen roll.
Disposable rubber gloves.
Mobile phone with vets number all ready for you to call.(Just in case)
Lots of caffeine for yourself.
Lactol/Whelpi,for your girl to drink in between pups.
Oh and not to forget the breeders bible......The book of the bitch.
I also had 2 microwavable heat pads which I wrapped in clean towels and put under newborn puppies.

I had all of the above ready when my girl whelped but all I needed was the towels,kitchen roll and caffeine :)
Always phone your vet and tell him/her that your bitch is in labour so that they too can be on standby.If it is late at night then this is a must as your vet may get called out elsewhere and they usually ring and let you know beforehand.

Goodluck and I hope all goes well for you and your girl :)