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Ok all..I knwo I have been banned from posting on here, BUT! Jeff is in North Carolina and I think the Chesapeake is in Labor. How can I tell? and what do I do? Just leave her alone? Take her to the vet? leave her outside? Bring her in the house? Put her in a closet? a box? Do I keep kids and dogs away from her? help, please~!!!

Becky

Do y'all have a place prepared for her to welp the pups?

I like to have a clean, warm place she feels safe.

Becky, I would keep her close and inside, give her a place to "nest". SBE also gave you some good points.

Here is a link as a "guide", it also has some photos: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/whelping.htm

Be Prepared to contact your vet. Good luck & keep us posted, even if you are on double secret probation.

short answer, no! But...I do have this humongous heavy box that my husband transports the digs in to and from hunting camp...SO! I managed to move the thing (by myself) onto my sun porch and have blankets in it. I am letting her come and go..I just am not sure if there is anything special I need to do? Im online reserching. Jeff is going to try to come home tomorrow night..I dont think he will make it in time?!?!? but who knows! I hope!

Becky,
Did she have the pups?

When she gets close (day of), she'll start to try and build a nest - I like to give them some clean newspapers. She'll dig and shred them to suit her, but it's best to have a dry place - inside where you can watch her if possible. A kids plastic wading pool makes a good whelping bed if you don't have a whelping box, and will keep the pups contained until 3 wks or so.

If her temp drops below 100F, it's going to start withing a few hours. Just watch her and make sure she's not in distress; big dogs like Chessies usually whelp w/ no problem. If for some reason a pup isn't breathing, holler at your vet but often CPR works after you clear their airway.

Let us know! PM if you have more questions, I'm not too far away.

Mike Falkner

OMG! BOIL WATER!!!!!

LOL MUD, and rip up some sheets!

Make sure after she has them to give here some chicken broth or something of the like to help get her strength up. let me know whats up, Spoon

Thank you all so much. She has not had them yet, and actually seems less in labor than yesterday. I Think because I explained to her what a terrible nurse I am and that I think all that is really gross. She said she would wait till Jeff got home tomorrow! :D Anyway...I have her in a box (that she doesnt really like) , but its big enough if she chooses to go in there. Otherwise, she is happy just following me around. I am making kids, dogs, and cats leave her alone for the most part (we also have 4 day old kittens!!!) Molly dog as some of you know is easily agitated, and I would hate to add stress. Right now, Molly dog is in time out on the porch because I needed space. Im hoping she can wait, or that I will wake up and it will all be done. Im like a kid, and I get excited, and scared, etc...and it makes me very nervous...so I am sure its not helping her at all!

one more question? How do you take her temperature? Can I use a digital thermometer? Cause thats all I have here.

photoshopper wrote:How do you take her temperature?

You know where,

I am lost for words... maybe the graphic will help.... Good Luck!

Yep, digital will work fine, but as Teul said, you know where so you might want to chunk it when you're done. If she has pups, I usually add some powdered milk to her food to help her avoid eclampsia (milk fever), and good vitamins help too.

Sometimes it takes a day or two of messing around, especially if it's her first litter. You'll know if she gets in trouble.

mfalkner wrote:If she has pups, I usually add some powdered milk to her food to help her avoid eclampsia (milk fever), and good vitamins help too.

I haven't heard that one before. We always just told them to switch to puppy food. She definately needs the extra nurishment.