Could i have some advise on what are best sort of scales to use for pups and also where can i obtain a thermometer from. Thanx

hi i dont know about the best?! but when poppy had her litter i just used the normal "pop in the mouth" themo worked reasonably well, same for scales...my kitchen scales did a good job( obviously i dont use them in the kitchen any more!!) sure you can get made for the job brands but in mo thats just what your paying for "the brand"
emma
edit: oops .....i dont know your breed tho! kitchen scales and great dane pups prob wouldnt work after day 1!!?

Your vet will let you have a thermometer and when they are tiny kitchen scales will be fine. Your bitch will thank you if you have some KY jelly too.

We got a cheap digital thermometer from Boots - about £6 I seem to remember - popped it in one end whilst feeding Loki Yoghurt at the other end!:D

As Jackie H said, kitchen scales are fine.

Margot

I have a nice pair of elecronic scales with a very large pan, and they go up to 5kg.  I used to use an ordinary pair of kitchen savles at birth and before they were too big, and then used a fishing scale later and put the pups in a p-egbag and hooked them onto it.

I use kitchen scales (the electronic digital sort) the ones with a wide dish /plate are obviolusly better than those wiht a mixing bowl type weighting area.  I now would not be without my digital thermometer, it was just a cheapy from a pharmacy  in the USA (about $4) but they are now widely available in the UK too.  However, on of my friends has got the new "in the ear" doggy thermometers, which she says is wonderful.  And for weighing the adults, I use fishing scales too, attatched to one of the big blue bags from Ikea!

If you do a search we have had quite a few threads recently about things needed for whelping, but I am sure we would all be happy to post again, if you want.

bye
Gwen

I'm a cheapskate, asked the vet and they just took one of the shelf and gave it to me, would guess they get through a lot. Could not get them to part with the platform scale though ;)

Never bothered with a thermometer in my life and as far as scales are concerned I just pick the dog up, stand on the bathroom scales and deduct my own weight.

Regards, John

the canine chemist carries all that gear

http://www.hyperdrug.com
just put thermometer in the search they have them from £2.50 up to £40

Thankyou

Hmm i agree,dont pay too much,you can get cheap kitchen scales from argos and when the pups are bigger i weigh myself then pick the pup up and weigh again,deducting my own weight and there you have it!!

Upon recommendation from Champdoggers I bought a digital thermometer from Ebay for a couple of pounds.  It was a good job I didn't pay more as I have never been able to master the technique successfully.  My scales came from Argos for £15 and they seem fine although probably aren't 100% accurate.  As I am not selling puppies by the pound then I doubt Trading Standards will be on my back for under/over estimating!  They are fine for monitoring puppies weight.

I think the most important thing about scales is that they give you consistent readings, so you can monitor the growth of each puppy accurately.  Jacky, sorry you didnt find the thermometer a good idea - I love the digital ones, as I used to have so much trouble reading the traditional sort, could never master the knack of "shaking down" the mercury to try again, and was always terrified that it might break off in use!
bye
Gwen

Gwen I think the thermometer is a wonderful idea and I shall certainly invest in one for family use as they are efficient and 'easy to use'!!  What is lacking is my ability to manoeuvre it to where it should go whilst holding dog still at the same time and maintain position long enough to get a reading!  I couldn't persuade my son to assist with such activities!