Morning has Broken...

Guess I drifted off last night. I have the whelping box right next to my bed, have it covered in sheets, but had the side open so that I could just lie there and keep an eye on Figgy and puppers. I must have been dozing on and off the remainder of the early morning hours.

Final Count 5 pups, no patches.

6:30 a.m. Took Figgy out to potty and boy did she have to go and go. Puppies were put in a warming basket (heating pad and laundry basket) Then back upstairs. I cleaned the whelping box, fresh blanket and pups put back on momma.

Figgy ate a small pre-breakfast.

I need more sleep!!! Coffee, Ibuprophen, potty dogs and then I hope to lay back down for a little bit and keep one eye on them.

9:15 a.m. Figgy Temperature is 102.1 running a tad high, but it should be okay. They can run a tad high after whelping. I will continue taking her temperature at least twice a day for awhile to make sure she is not getting an infection or is ill.

I am keeping the whelping box around 85 in the non heat source side... I have not have many Summer litters (usually Spring), so it seems a bit warm up here in my room but do not want them to have a draft or a chill. Maintaining the proper temperature is imperative for the first 2 weeks. Puppies are unable to maintain their own body temperature up until this point. If they become chilled their gut can stop digesting (become sterile) and they will die. If they get too hot they can get dehydrated and die. This is a critical age.

I have the pups on a light colored blanket so I can see how the discharge is looking on momma dog. Bright red discharge (bleeding) can mean a serious life threatening problem. Darker discharge is normal and can last up to a week or so, but should get less and less each day. Black and really stinky discharge is very serious!