Hi as many of you know my bitch was due to whelp this coming friday,but yesterday she had the the first one at 3.30pm after a restless night before.She had the first 4 within an hour and had the 8th and what i thought to be the last at 10pm.Mum and pups settled nicely but although she wasnt panting or straining i suspected there may be another one and consequently at 3.15am she started contracting all over again and had another 3,it was like shelling peas for her bless her.I have never had a litter of this size before and with only 10 nipples but 11 pups wondered if i should supplement them to ease the strain on mum if nothing else.What are your veiws and experiences on supplementing?Is it best as i have heard that if you supplement you should keep those pups on replacement and the others on mums milk so as not to confuse and upset the digestive system or should i rotate them?Any tips and advice would be much apprieciated,thanks.

P.S.Good luck to all of you who are awaiting pups,get plenty of rest now and make the most of it,i am completely exhausted and cant see that changing for the next coming weeks,lol.

Hi Jestony
Congratulations.We have just reared a litter of 12 (now 6 weeks) with no problems. Mom had only 8 teats of use but I did not do anything else until the pups were 2 weeks than I started to wean them. Are they all an even size?. If not, make sure the 'littlies' get their turn or the bigger ones may push them off the teats. Keep an eye on Moms milk level and make sure she has lots to drink and eat to keep the milk going. If she is a good Mum you should have no problems. Wait till they are as old as mine, thats when the really hard work kicks in. What breed are they.
Sue

Hi Star,thanks for that.They seem to be doing ok but there is one or two smallies so i will keep rotating them on mum for now.She has plenty of milk,it came in on week 5 of her pregnancy,and i dont like to interfere unless absolutely nessary as mums milk is obviously best and she is doing brilliantly with them,bless her heart,so i;ll see how they go for now,thanks again.

congratulations :D Jestony

8 days to go here til D day

Emma
x

Thanks Emma,and i will keep my fingers crossed for you that it all goes smoothely.Get yourself plenty of rest now as if your vet's anything like mine,then she could be any day now,lol.

I do feel too that it is best not to interfere unless you have to. I did wean a week earlier than usual at 2weeks just to help Mum out and the pups have come on a treat. Yours will too.:)

hi there,
Congratulations!
i have to agree with the advice already given,if pups all seem well and contenet with nice full bellys i would'nt give any supplements,our largest litters have been of 10 and 11,and we did'nt come across any probs,we just find leaving mum to it is best,we did weigh pups ever day just to keep an eye on them,this is normally the best indication if one is losing weight or not gaining enough,for you to know he's maybe been pushed off by his other litter mates,or some times the little ones just arn't as strong as the other's, we always make sure the little ones are getting there fair share.
everytime we have had a large litter we also try to start weaning as soon as possible around 2 weeks with puppy porrige,and then at 3 with soaked puppy food.again congrats and i hope everything goes well,keep us updated on there progress.

They dont need a teat each - just make sure they are all feeding well, as is mum (with plenty of fluids) and they are putting on weight. Enjoy!!

could i ask you where you obtain puppy porridge from thanx

hi,
pedigree dog foods do a puppy porrige,which is great,but you can make your own as a friend does,she use's baby rice(powered)and readybrek and whelpi mixed in a blender,but i do prefer pedigree puppy porrige.

I didnt think pedigree still done the porridge??I know they now do an excellent new puppy complete,breeder professional,exclusive to breeders,its more expensive but higher protien than the normal pup complete and whats more the kibble is really fine like gravy granuels much quicker for softening down.

Hi again
I went to a pedigree collection point today and the porridge is still listed on their price list. I think its around £11 or so.

Yes they still do it.  Bought some this week.  Smaller tub than before!

I stand corrected lol :0)

My pups mum only has 9 teats & she had 10 to feed but what I noticed happening was they fed at different times so there were enough teats to go around :) If mums fine & pups content it`s best not to interfere, but keep an eye on them to make sure. I found looking after mum harder, she`s just about eaten me out of house n home :D

Christine, Spain.

Congratulations Jess,If anyone deserves a lovely litter you do,i hope mum and babies are doing ok,speak to you soon mate,cant wait to see them.Julia xxx

Hiya Ju,thanks for that,pups are doing great and as for mum well.......what can i say,she is caring for these babes fabulously considering the number of them she doesnt stop checking and fussing them and keeping them really clean,she doesnt want to be away from them for more than a couple of minutes,just long enough to do her bits in the garden,lol,and she zooms back in.I know what you mean also christine,my girl is just about eating me out of house and home which is great though because it shows she is feeling bright with a good appetite.Julia i will ring you soon for a chat(as long as you have a spare couple of hours or three,lol),thanks to everyone for their kind words and advice.

Hi Jess,You can phone anytime mate,weve really gotta put the phone down b4 the hr lol,i knew Jade would do you proud,hopefully i will see for myself shortly if the offer still stands?Julia xx