All all, calling on your help again.

Up to about 3 days ago, my girly has been eating very well. I am feeding her 5 times a day on Vitalin bitch diet which is specially formulated for pregnant and lactating
bitches at the moment she is on her maintenance ration plus 60% more. She is doing very well on it and although she is not fat at all, she is getting very big with the whelps.

I know lots of bitches find it hard to eat when they are very full with babies but I am a little worried that she isn't eating enough for the growing whelps. At the moment I am managing to get 2 out of her 5 meals down her.

Should I be concerned?

Thanks,
Aimi.

No, the whelps will get all the need from the dam, and she will regain any losses after whelping, if she is in good weight a few days aren't going to make a huge dent.  I expect she just can't face eating being so heavily in whelp.

I would get some glucose powder in for the whelping so you can offer her regular drinks to boost her energy.

I will Brainless, thanks

My girl has one and a half week left. She's on three meals a day, out of which one is scrambled eggs, rice pudding, pancake or something else nice ;-) For her two proper meals, she's having Royal Canin Starter Puppy, which the pups will be weaned on. By the looks of her tummy, she's expecting a large litter.I don't think she'd want more meals per day, even if she's got a healthy apetite, and is happy to share our meals as well ;-) I think five meals a day might mean very little time to digest the food before the next meal is served.
As said above, the pups will get what they need. If your girl looks OK, she's probably getting enough food for the pups development.

Good luck with your upcoming litter!
Karen

Shouldn't do her any harm at all.  I wouldn't be able to face 5 small meals a day I would think just before birth.

My friends dog who had the unexpected litter was exactly the same weight at mating as she was a week before giving birth and I can tell you now looking at the photo's the pups look extremely fit and healthy and one by the sounds of it has almost doubled in three days! 

Thanks for all your reply's.
She is on day 58 now and she is so uncomfortable. She just can't get comfy. She is really big so don't blame her for not eating much. I wish she would have them quick so she will be able to eat properly.
She is falling asleep standing up because it is uncomfy to lie down. Do you think she may have them early if she is so big? She had a really big wide gloopy mucusy string hanging last night when she tried to come up on the couch - may have been some of her plug coming - what do you think?

sounds like she is on her way .

good Luck

Mine is due in 6 days big and uncomfortable too but she is still eating all her meals .

Roni

Same with Ellie, she was pretty much the same weight right through pregnancy and feeding, allowing a bit extra for the saggy undercarriage! I just weighed her every week and gave her more or less food depending on her weight and how she was looking. :-)

my bitches always go off their food about 5 to 6 days before whelping, it is a lot to do with nature clearing out the system before the efforts of labour, they are normally the greediest girls ever and eat really well until about 58days, so i dont worry about it too much, but put them down smallmeals of good stuff, chicken, scrambled egg etc. As soon as litter born they go back to being their usual greedy self. So try not to worry but start to get excited as it is now countdown to the big event. GOOD LUCK

in answer to aimibobs
The mucusy string will be the plug "spilling over", not necesarily a sign of impending birth. I've had bitches showing this two or three weeks before birth, this time my girl who's  on day 53 hasn't yet had any for me to see, anyway. She's very good at keeping herself clean, but usually you'll notice after a wee.
Effyh is very large now, she's huge, actually. Can't possibly see her going the expected time. She was actually mated on the last possible day of her season, only one mating, so my guess is she'll be a couple of days early. She's still eating everything she's given, although it's obvious she's having difficulties in finding room for it ;-) She's not really fit for polite company.... You can see the pups poking her just by looking at her, as she's a shortcoated breed. It must be extremely uncomfortable. She's quite happy to lie down, though, with her belly "spread out" like a huge barrel. I'm weighing her tomorrow, I'm really interested in how much she's gained.

Have you noticed the belly sort of changing shape, amibobs? This will be a sign of things starting to happen. From appleshape to pearshape is what you should look for. Again, good luck, let us know how you get on.
Karen

Well we are now on day 59.

Hubby at home, just emailled to say she is falling asleep on her feet again. Last night she would rather prop herself up against the coffee table and doze rather than lie down. Then a little later on would stand with her head hanging and literally nod off and when she swayed woke herself up. She eventually lost her balance and ended up on her side on her vetbed and blankets then did a big sigh and went to sleep for half an hour. I've asked him to check the colour inside her mouth totday just incase something is amiss.

I cant remember her mum doing that, mind you she wasn't this big.

I am waiting for scratching and digging but all she is doing is trying to sleep on her feet. Any of your bitches do this? I don't know whether to be alarmed by it.

hubby emailled again, inside mouth a little pale but she is not "vacant" like she was when she lost loads of blood once (another story nothing to do with pregnance) and fainted.

Would it be an idea to give her some glucose water to give her more energy now?

I dn't know the answer to this, and those who might don't seem to be here. Maybe you should call the vet for advice.
Hope all goes well, keep us informed!

If she's so tired and uncomfortable she's asleep on her feet, I can't imagine glucose would do any harm, and it might help a bit! How about a nice car ride to try and get things moving, if the plug's come away she must be about ready to start!