Okay, my dog just had one puppy about an hour ago. Is that it? Will she have more?
Also, what can my family and I do to help/take care of it? Or should we just let her take care of her baby for now?
Lastly, when is a good time to begin playing with the puppy away from it's mother?
2007-06-02 17:14:04 · 10 answers · asked by sookie_nyla_baboolal 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My Shih Tzu had pups in January it was her first(and last) litter. She had five pups. Because it was her first time I stayed with her all night. She started whelping at midnight and the last one was delivered between 5 and 6 am. Keep your girl as comfortable as possible and change her bedding after each whelp. After she has spent a little time with the pup, help her clean it. I used a clean dry towel to clean our puppies If you have a heating pad cover it with a clean towel put it in a clean kennel, the pups need to be kept warm just like human babies do. It is important to supplement your dogs diet while she is nursing the puppies. I fed mine a good puppy food along with her regular food the whole time she was nursing. It is also important to be sure she gets a calcium supplement every day. Get her and the pups to the Vet ASAP. This will insure that both mom and pups stay healthy. You won't have to ask when is a good time to play with the pups. They will just eat and sleep for the next two and a half weeks and then they will start getting more active. Oh btw change their bedding daily, don't let them live in their waste. Good Luck!!
2007-06-02 18:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by Patricia L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is she a small breed dog? Lots of times they will only have one the first time around. Still it is early yet. She could be in labor all night if there are more pups. Does she still look pregnant? The mother will usually do everything that needs to be done to care for the new pups. It is okay to handle them a little when they are newborn, but wait until they have their eyes open before really handling them very much, and after they are up and walking around before you really start playing with them.
2007-06-02 17:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pup can be played with, after 4 weeks old, normally. Cannot be re-homed until 8 weeks, minimum.
Momma dog will know how to care for her pup, you just need to care for momma dog (puppy food is good for when she's nursing).
She should have more than 1 pup, but if she doesn't, you might want to get her checked out by a vet to make sure there's not more ''stuck''.
2007-06-02 17:20:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you had an x-ray or ultrasound done previously, your guess is as good as mine. Birthing a litter can take many hours, though with hours between pups. It's rare in most dogs but if the mother appears to be very uncomfortable and a few hours have past, a vet visit is in order.
The pups should stay with the mother nearly constantly until weaned and not placed until 8-10 weeks old but you handling them, as long as you disinfect your hands and shoes prior to handling them, can start right away. At minimum, they should be handled for a few seconds daily (for socialization reasons). In addition, weigh them twice daily for a week then daily for a few more and keep records. If a pup is failing, its weight gain will not keep up with its siblings and you will know if a vet is needed.
2007-06-02 18:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations!!
Depending on her size, she may only have one (small breed pups have small litters)
Is this her first litter? My female large breed dog) only had one puppy with her first litter (I freaked out and after a bunch of xrays @ the vet to make sure there weren't any more inside of her I find out that it's normal for a dog to have one pup for a first litter)
If she doesn't have any more pups by in the morning and you think that she may still have pups inside of her, take her to the vet for the xrays to be sure. It's only been an hour, and sometimes labor can take all night...
Don't do anything but look for the first few days. She will know what to do. Just watch her, as sometimes mamas will kill their pups if there is something wrong with them (and it doesn't have to be something that we humans can see). Just observe and make sure that they are both warm enough (puppies cannot regulate their temps for about 2 weeks after birth) and that mama has enough food and water. leave them be but check in and make sure everything is OK. The pup's eyes and ears will be closed, and will open in the next couple of weeks. DO NOT try to force open the pup's eyes, as you could cause damage.
about 3-4 weeks, when puppy is walking and exploring and mama is resting is a good time to start playing outside with the pup away from mama....this will help with the weaning process as well.
here's a link that may help you: http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/DOGS/newbornpuppycare.HTM
good luck with your puppy!!
2007-06-02 17:31:52 · answer #5 · answered by kuntry_guhl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my dog had puppies, the first came out around 11 Am, the next came after 1 PM. If your dog is cleaning and attending to the puppies it is better for you to wait before playing with them. Remember the puppies are blind and helpless and need their mother now. Your dog will let you know when she is ready for you to visit her babies.
2007-06-02 17:24:24 · answer #6 · answered by Willy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she isn't having contractions she should be done, but get a vet check to make sure. congrats on the puppy. puppies can be played with at 4 weeks away from its momma. momma will know what to do. just make sure she doesn't sit on it or roll on it. if you let momma outside for bathroom breaks for a short time and keep the puppy inside, you can find out if it is a boy or girl and make sure it looks healthy. mom may attack you if she sees you holding it.(personal experience).
2007-06-02 17:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by jos :) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's not having any contractions there may only be one. She needs to go to the vet tomorrow to ensure there are no puppies still in her. It can be fatal. Handle the puppy immediately, and every day.
2007-06-02 17:20:34 · answer #8 · answered by Corey B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi , its depends of what breed in your dog if is a small dog that's probably it , and to help your dog just food and water for her and blankets, don't play with the puppy just yet wait till 5 hour.
2007-06-02 17:26:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
congrats.stay with the mother all night long . start playing with the dogs around 4 weeks old. the puppy should be ready to leave his mother at 6 weeks old. good luck
2007-06-02 17:22:16 · answer #10 · answered by lucky14 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋