the shih tzu is pregnant and about ready to pop...?

Question

this is her first litter, we got a toddler pool, and lots of towels, rags and newspaper...now what?

first of all, not my dog, second of all, NOT PLANNED , the dog belongs to my 70 year old mother in law, and YOU try telling her what to do

Answer 1

Y wouldn' t you find this information out BEFORE BREEDING? I don't understand people to be honest with you, hey lets have puppies cause their cute. You should really research your breed, How do you know your breed doesn't need a c-section? did you ever look that up? What if a pup get stuck, what are you going to do. this is all stuff you should have researched before today!! Have you spoken to your vet? They are good at telling people who don't know anything about breeding NOT TO DO IT..
These poor puppies, POOR MOMMA!!
Again though, since your already here, (where you shouldn't be if you don' t know bout breeding)
this info will probably help..

Good luck

Stages of Labor

Your Dam may exhibit all or just some of the following signs.

Stage 1
• Temperature will drop to 98 degrees or so...
• Eyes will dilate
• She will stare at you and want you near
• Refusal to eat
• Hide under your bed or a dark place
• Laying on her side but can't seem to get comfortable
• Mucus Discharge

Stage 2 - pre labor
• Digging
• Shivering
• Panting
• Staring at her rear end
• Licking vulva excessively
• Mild Uterine Contractions

Stage 3 - Labor
• Hard Uterine Contractions
• Extreme Shivering
• Water Breaking
• Grunting and pushing
• Visible sign of the First pup and delivery (Whelp)
Note # If the Dam is pushing and grunting and crying out in pain that lasts for over an hour with no visible pup,
you maybe in trouble. This is when you need to search your gut. Ask yourself, how do you feel?
Do you feel you are safe or in trouble. Go by your gut instinct. Read the Dams signs, her body is talking to you.
She is probably safe if she is napping between contractions, but if is she becoming exhausted from constant pushing and straining,
if she appears close to collapse you maybe in trouble. She is telling you something is wrong and a puppy maybe to large to pass thru her pelvis.
If you feel you are in trouble. Call your Vet and get ready to seek help

Answer 2

I definitely agree with the previous replies, but in the spirit of feeling sorry for the dog....

You need to take her temp., when it's dropped to around 99 she'll be whelping in 12 - 24 hours, she'll likely stop eating, be very restless, follow you around. She should have been introduced to her whelping box a week before she's due so she can start nesting and feel secure in it.

When she's very close, it's a good idea to take her out on a leash when she needs to go, you don't want her having a puppy out in the yard. Stay with her in case she needs help. When a puppy's born, make sure its nose and mouth are clear and it's breathing. I never liked to let my bit ches tear the cord because they're often too rough, so I cut and tied the cords myself.

Let her eat the first 1 or 2 afterbirths, but it's best to dispose of the rest or she'll get the runs.

Make sure she has plenty of fresh water and she should be eating good quality dry puppy food now to help out her body while she's nursing - let her eat all she wants.

Answer 3

make sure when she starts to deliver that you are with her in case she has troubles.
make sure each puppy comes out and that the birth sack is removed by mom fully, she should lick it clean.
make sure the mom bites thru the cord and there is no excessive bleeding.
make sure the puppies are breathing.
you might want to tie different colored ribbons around the puppies neck to give order of first born, if you care lol
keep a vet's # on hand in case of a problem.
post an ad in the paper after if you want to sell the puppies. don't sell them untill weened and ready to leave mom, remember fem's usualy go for more than males.
set up an appointment with the vet to get the puppies shots and check ups and one for mom to get fixed if you don't want her to breed again.

Answer 4

You don't know the answer to that simple question and your breeding your POOR dog. Man do I feel sorry for her having an irresponsible owner like you. Welcome to the world of backyard breeders. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I know you don't have a clue about breeding so why are you doing it? Let me guess, your breeding your shih tzu as a cash crop. Sticking 2 dogs together is very irresponsible breeding.

With all the dogs being put down in shelters because of backyard breeders like yourself you still have the nerve to bring yet another unwanted, unneeded, ill bred litter into this world.

Get your dog spayed!!!!!!!!! Stop contributing to the overpopulation of pets please.

Answer 5

She's been pregnant for 9 weeks and NOW you're asking questions? Left it a bit late, didn't you? Why didn't you do your research before?

Geeez, BYBs give me a headache.......