Hi Everyone
I'm new to the site and have found it really useful. I had her scanned at 28 days and it showed 3 pups (would be interested to know from anyone how accurate the scans are). This is my first litter and if I'm expecting only 3 pups I need to be careful what I spend on, but I want to do everything properly. I was considering using a very large cardboard box as a whelping box (as suggested in the book of the bitch) and some puppy panels as they grow and explore. I know vet bed is excellent, but would towels and blankets do? I would really appreciate any advise. Thanks

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I always use a cardboard box, usually go down to the local electrical store and get fridge size ones. From a hygiene point of view if it gets too mucky you can always throw it away and get a new one.

If you don't use vetbed, then use shredded newspaper, blankets and towels can be dangerous for pups, (i.e. they can get claws caught, and then roll about and get tangled up, they can get underneath so mum can't see them and lays on them). Vetbed is really quite inexpensive really if you buy a large piece and cut it to fit, and it last for ever and ever. I usually cut a piece for every puppy to take away to their new homes, so they have a familiar smell.

Never had any of mine scanned, but having heard loads of stories, don't believe that there are only 3, at 28 days it can be very difficult to get a true picture, you could end up with a lot more. Plan for an average size litter. A friend of mine was told that her Dachshund was only expecting 5 she had 10!!!!

Best of luck with the whelping

Jayne

I bought vet bed after it being recommended on here - and i have to say it was a god send, i wouldn't be without it now. Also one little tip - newspapers etc for whelping are fine but as each of my pups were born i used a pampers changing mat or bed mat - one or t'other, whichever is the biggest, it soaked up everything, fresh one with each pup, and still a clean bed at the end of it all which meant i didn't have to disturb mum and pups at all. They are a bit of money, but they really helped me.

I didn't want to use just an old cardboard box, just in case they caught anything - there is a company that do disposable whelping boxes, which i used - it lasted until the pups could climb out at about 3 to 4 weeks, then i panelled off a corner of my living room - luckily me other half is good at diy and he put em up for me - only needed two panels and someway of getting in and out.

Can't think of anything else at the mo.

NIkki x

I'd go for vetbed. Its easily washed and quickly dried. I had two large pieces for my last litter 2 years ago. It was in the washing machine daily. Its still going strong after two years use with two labs, so well worth the initial investment.
Lorna

The accuracy of the scan depends often on the experience of the operative, we us a lady who specialised in scanning animals and does it 100% of the time (she does some 5000 sheep a year). She has been spot on in the past, however when the foetus is the size of a grape it is easy to miss one or more!
On the other hand our local vet refuse to say how many pups there are because of the come back from owners who ended up with a different number!

Hi Katie

Scanning is only as acurate as the person doing it! My friend had a setter scanned and was told she was having 3 she had 9 so I dont bother scanning anymore to be honest it is obvious by looking at them a week or so after they can be scanned unless there only having one or two then it gets a bit more tricky!
good luck with your pups
kate

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Excellent - Thanks for all the advice everyone. I think I will get some vetbed especially as it seems to last so long. If everything goes well I would like to breed again next year.

The pampers idea is great, I've got a young daughter so have pleny of absorbant changing mats. I also think I will plan for a bigger litter, just in case.
I can't wait - I hope she's a good Mum!

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Mine was scanned at day 42, I was told 3 pups..............she's had 7!

It's amazing that the vet can get it so wrong isn't it? All I could see on the scan was three black blobs - They didn't even look like pups!

We had a scan because we thought our bitch was pregnant, she ended up being full of food!! But, we saw something in the scan that the vet told us were air sacs :rolleyes: . So when she was due in a week and still getting big, we took her to the local vet, and were told to prepare. Errrrr!
Rudy and Mum

Hello Everyone, Just thought I would let you know I've managed to get a big corrigated plastic box from my DIY store to use as a whelping box - Came across it purely by chance and its just ideal. Its really easy to clean and disinfect and I would imaginge its going to be quite hard-wearing too.

Just thought I would let you know incase it helps anyone in my position. My DIY store were happy for me to have one free as they are purely used as packaging and then disgarded afterwards.

Decided to get some vet bed too after all your advice - I've ordered 2 big pieces!

Thanks again

How big are they? need somthing for my hound, a mate has offered to make me a pine box 4x3 for £60 but no sure on useing wood.

Any positive news on your Hound yet???

No news yet, Geoff is calling her The Hound as she has disgraced herself the last two nights, its so unlike her she is normaly so clean.

How long is your hound, nose to rump? Make the whelping box this size, square, with a removable pigrail (4" up,4" in) all the way round. Looks huge to start with, but will be the right size when the litter is 5 weeks old.
:)

Hi

I have just made a 4ft x 3ft whelping box using melamine timber and chipboard - I used ply in the past but because I line the box with PVC cloth the floor does not get wet. The total cost for an 18" H x 48" L X 37" W was under £30. The melamine is very easy to clean!

Al

apx 4x3 - They vary slightly.

I got my bitch scanned at 4/5 weeks the scan showed 2 wriggly pups, she welped and had 7, was I shocked, I only thought she was having 4/5 dont know where she hid them , she wasnt that fat either.

My Bitch is now 42 days and doesn't look a bit preganant, except in her teats. I know it says in the book of the bitch that they will suddenly start to show around this time but I can't believe she's due in a few weeks. I guess it must be a small litter after all.

The pups grow a lot in the next 3 weeks... we are a week ahead of you... the scan showed 5 ish (allowing for the accuracy of the scan!) and our girl is hardys showing external rotund signs!

Al

Thanks, its useful to get some advice with this being our first litter. It also says in the book of the bitch about seeing/feeling the pups move, but I haven't managed to feel anything yet though, although its very difficult to get my excitable bitch to stay still for long enough.

My girl missed last time, so I'm more in a state this time, this site has been so usefull.My vet wont do a scan till 5/6weeks which is silly.Wont to no now!!!!!!!!

By then you would know anyway. I have usually had them done at 30 days after mating, and when a specialist in scanning did it he scanned my bitch at 25 days post mating and said he could see at least five. (she had 9). The non specialist vets have usually only been able to see two or 3 at a time, and been way out.

Fingers crossed! Another practice around here will scan at 30 days, and invite you back for free in a week if it is negative, just to make sure.

Hi, Just for the future - does anyone know of a good specialist in scanning around the Gloucester(shire) area, or how I would get in touch with one? I took my bitch to my vet this time.