I picked up a Dorwest herbs leaflet the other day and was having a read. Has anyone ever used caulophyllum 30c during whelping? and if so did it help. Anything that helps is worth trying and so I thought I would pick your collective brains to see what you think. They also suggest Vit e before and after mating along with Rasberry leaf tablets. Never tried things like this before so I would be interested in your input.
Aileen

I did try Raspberry leaf back in the 70's as advised by my mentor in Toy Poodles.    It certainly didn't stop problems, and I've never supplemented since in any way.

Ive used caulophyllum 30c with every whelping once contractions start. I also use Vit E prior to mating and for at least three weeks after and Arnica after whelping for three days. Cant tell you if they work or not because Ive never not used them but Ive always had uncomplicated whelpings, never had a bitch miss or re absorb and my average size litter across 11 litters is 9.54 puppies.

I use it just like you do Wirelincs !
I wouldn't whelp a bitch without it.

I have been looking at Fit and Fertiles "Help 2 Whelp" and need to do more reading about it.

You start a daily dose about 10 days before due date.

I used Cauloghlul 30 with and whelping went like a breeze.  She just popped them out and i saw the contractions wave down the body.  I used arnica awell afterwards to help with bruising.  My first ever whelping but won't be without next time.

Mine had vitE part way through and very healthy inteligent pups are the result?? (maybe lol).  i did read VitE helps the womb soften and contract as it should and for post whelp.  I used respberryleaf as well.

What dose Vitamin E and when did you start.  We're at 6 weeks from breeding either tomorrow or Wednesday, so wondering what dose Vitamin E and if it's too late?

We give wheatgerm oil capsules from Dorwest.  They recommend (taken from the Dorwest catalogue) "for breeding animals the recommended amound should be given to both the male and female one week before mating, increasing to double this amount on the day before and the actual day of mating." It's 1 capsule per 10kg bodyweight. 

I give Vit E capsules just before mating and right through pregnancy makes then fertile and healthy babies also big litters, well all my girls have had big ones. One every day, my mentor gave me that advice.

I decided to do folic acid this time for fertility rather than the wheatgerm, but they also recommend you only do it for 3 weeks after mating and then start the raspberry leaf. 

It was the straight Vitamin E that I'd not heard of till reading this thread, and wondering if it's too late to start at 6 weeks.

I've decided not to do raspberry leaf this time but on recommendation from this thread and another will be giving the Caulophyllum.  Just wondering if it's worth doing the vitamin E for the next 3 weeks or not and if so what dose capsule.

___

edit to add:

Re-reading the thread, it looks like those using Vitamin E and/or Wheat germ are doing it for part and using for the same thing - so it would be the earlier part of pregnancy rather than the latter part...

Folic Acid is given to help prevent deformaties, ie cleft palate and is supposed to be given for 2 months before mating.  http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/nutrition.htm

Sorry yes I realise i simplified what I was using the folic acid for- it was for health and development and no cleft palates etc, and yes I gave it well before mating.  I chose to just use one supplement so chose that over the wheat germ. 

People seem to be missing the actual question I asked and addressing everything else instead:(  Perhaps my 'given till 3 weeks after mating' was misread as referring to the folic acid.  It wasn't - it was in response to the 'wheat germ' post I was replying to which indicated it was to be given till mating.  I as expanding that if you give wheat germ that way it is meant to be continued 3 weeks after mating.

Vitamin E was mentioned in an earlier post not in relation to fertility but in relation to whelping (though maybe I misread) so I just wanted to know what dose and if it's too late to start at 6 weeks.  I don't know how else to phrase the question so people understand what I'm asking and actually might answer the question I'm asking.

I give up :(

Sorry I don't mean to sound snarky. It's been a long day and I'm tired.  I'm not a total novice and I'm always happy to learn and absorb info.  I just honestly thought I asked a straightforward question and the answers are taking a bit of a detour LOL

Hi

i gave evening primrose oil (vit E) right through.  I read it helps to relax the womb as the babies grow and soften it.  i also gave the Caul' 30 on day of whelping.  Can't remember giving it the day before.

Hope that helps.

Thanks :)

Never given ours anything & never had a problem whelping, in the last 47 years of owning the breed but they..in general..are not a problem breed