With a bitch whelping or whelped which calcium supplement do most use and why?  Calciboost or Collo-Cal D?  I would like to know which is the safest and when to use it if needed.

Loads of CD 'ers will advise, as they use it routinely.

But in 45 plus years I have never, ever used, or needed a calcium supplement.

> But in 45 plus years I have never, ever used, or needed a calcium supplement.

Neither have I!!

I always thought that calcium supplements had to be given with care. Not a breeder though so only going on what I've heard over the years

> I always thought that calcium supplements had to be given with care

Well yes but supplements like this don't necessarily 'have to be given'.    Provided the dam is being fed a good quality food, from before being mated (ie always) there should be no need to be adding supplements - it is possible to over-supplement.   A bitch with a huge litter may need extras, but again, provided she's been eating a good quality food, this isn't necessarily needed.

We used cal-d but started after losing a bitch to pre-eclampsia that we knew something was wrong, at the vets four days in a row but not spotted until to late to save her, we could not go through that again they are our pets share the sofa and show on weekends, follow the instructions to the letter and no more than stated

I always kept Collo-CalD in stock. I only ever needed it for eclampsia once, but that time it was invaluable.

I use Oral Cal Plus from Revival Animal in the US.  It is very palatable compared to some other brands and the syringe of it is much bigger so you need less.

Research shows that giving calcium during whelping causes better/stronger contractions and helps avoid inertia - as well as helping to prevent eclampsia.

After whelping, I switch to Doc Roys Healthy Bones (if needed) which are a better option for long-term use.

That's what I meant but it came out back to front Mamabas

Where do you order the Oral Cal Plus and the Doc Roy's Healthy Bones from plse?

You can only get these from the US - Revival stock them but they don’t ship to UK. I get relatives to bring it over.

Collo-cal D is the one I always have available for every litter.

Thanks, that is what I thought x

Jeangenie - Have you ever used it during whelping (after the 1st pup is born)?