Information for Dog Breeders
In my research on Whelping my litters I have found some very helpful supplies and information on the web. I am part of a network of breeders who share information with one another. The information below is provided to help other breeders know with useful information and supplies.
Website for Whelping information:
If you are new to breeding ..or would like more expert advise to be prepared for emergencies then i highly recommend the two books below by Myra Savant.
Also, be prepared after a delivery...
Read about the care of the Mother and Puppies
know the signs of Fading Puppy Syndrome.
Additionally there are several books recipes and charts that every breeder should have on hand. Here are some of the ones that I have found
Website for Whelping information:
If you are new to breeding ..or would like more expert advise to be prepared for emergencies then i highly recommend the two books below by Myra Savant.
Also, be prepared after a delivery...
Read about the care of the Mother and Puppies
know the signs of Fading Puppy Syndrome.
Additionally there are several books recipes and charts that every breeder should have on hand. Here are some of the ones that I have found
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How to Know when your Dog is Fertile
Dogs come into season on average every 6 months. When they start to come into season some dogs will spot blood. I cover my dog beds with White Pillow Cases so I can see if they start to spot. Once they come into season it is usually 7 - 10 days when you can start to breed them. Most people breed the dog every other day, beginning on the day that she will accept the male. But unfortunately many females play hard to get even when they are ready to mate.
There are some female dogs that do not spot. They can be very difficult to know when they are in season. With those dogs one can look for other signs as well. Close observation of the vulva area every morning will reveal that it starts to swell as they get closer to their time to breed. Most dogs will become swollen and pink, and the vulva will tilt up so that you can see it quite well without turning them on their back.
Another way you can tell is by their behavior. If your female starts mounting other dogs, even other females, and becomes very frisky then she may be ready to breed at that time.
For those female dogs where the beginning of their season was not very obvious, it can be difficult to know when they are ready to breed. And it can be disconcerting when you are afraid you could miss the right window. In those cases I will take my dog to the Veterinary that does Progesterone testing. The Veterinary takes blood sample from the dog and tests the progesterone levels. A number below 5 means the females is coming into season. When the dog measures 5 or slightly above, she has ovulated. Once ovulation occurs the Progesterone numbers spike very quickly. It is important to breed the dog on the day of ovulation and two days later. That is because it takes the eggs 48 hours to ripen after they have been released. By day 6 after ovulation the eggs have fully matured and start to die off. So getting the window for breeding right is very important.
It took several years before I found a veterinary within a reasonable driving distance who did the Progesterone testing. And even then, the Progesterone testing at the veterinary can be very expensive,,,especially if you need to go back 2 or 3 or more times to get the right number.
This is why a home fertility test is such a Godsend!! It took several years for me to find a reasonably straightforward home fertility test that any lay person could use. I have finally found it. It is called Fertility Focus and it uses saliva under a microscope observed every morning, to determine if a dog is getting ready to ovulate. The saliva on the slide will actually form a pattern like a FERN. They call this "ferning". Once this happens the dog will ovulate 5 days later. (This test also works for humans....but the number of days to ovulation after ferning is different for humans)
There are some female dogs that do not spot. They can be very difficult to know when they are in season. With those dogs one can look for other signs as well. Close observation of the vulva area every morning will reveal that it starts to swell as they get closer to their time to breed. Most dogs will become swollen and pink, and the vulva will tilt up so that you can see it quite well without turning them on their back.
Another way you can tell is by their behavior. If your female starts mounting other dogs, even other females, and becomes very frisky then she may be ready to breed at that time.
For those female dogs where the beginning of their season was not very obvious, it can be difficult to know when they are ready to breed. And it can be disconcerting when you are afraid you could miss the right window. In those cases I will take my dog to the Veterinary that does Progesterone testing. The Veterinary takes blood sample from the dog and tests the progesterone levels. A number below 5 means the females is coming into season. When the dog measures 5 or slightly above, she has ovulated. Once ovulation occurs the Progesterone numbers spike very quickly. It is important to breed the dog on the day of ovulation and two days later. That is because it takes the eggs 48 hours to ripen after they have been released. By day 6 after ovulation the eggs have fully matured and start to die off. So getting the window for breeding right is very important.
It took several years before I found a veterinary within a reasonable driving distance who did the Progesterone testing. And even then, the Progesterone testing at the veterinary can be very expensive,,,especially if you need to go back 2 or 3 or more times to get the right number.
This is why a home fertility test is such a Godsend!! It took several years for me to find a reasonably straightforward home fertility test that any lay person could use. I have finally found it. It is called Fertility Focus and it uses saliva under a microscope observed every morning, to determine if a dog is getting ready to ovulate. The saliva on the slide will actually form a pattern like a FERN. They call this "ferning". Once this happens the dog will ovulate 5 days later. (This test also works for humans....but the number of days to ovulation after ferning is different for humans)
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For years I searched for a HOME Fertility test for dogs. I have finally found it!! It is called Fertility Focus and is a little microscope that helps you observe with accuracy the upcoming time of ovulation.
To do the test you take the saliva from your female every morning before she drinks or eats. You place the saliva on the microscope slide and observe it with the hand held scope. One day the saliva will begin to create lines in a pattern that looks like a fern! They call this "ferning" and when that occurs, you know that the dogs is going to ovulate in 5 days. Of course this test is only accurate if you have the presence of mind to start checking the saliva on your dog at the right time. If your dogs starts to spot then that would be the time that you would want to start checking the saliva. IF your dog does not spot, then you would want to observe the saliva at the time that you would expect her to be coming into season. (Please note that this test is also used by humans. However the test works differently for women then it does for dogs.) |
Homeopathic Recipes for Fading Puppy Syndrome, Runts and Nursing Dams -- Miracle Liver Elixir for Fading Puppies
√ When we used the Magic Liver Elixer the puppy rallied in 2 doses. Please note: we also gave tiny dabs of Nutri-Cal (by Tomlyn Products) just after the elixer.
- Start with a piece of raw or frozen raw beef liver. Put it in a pan with a small amount of water and simmer gently until the blood comes to the surface (about 5 minutes). Let the pan cool and drain off the elixer.
- Give 4 drops(without regard to the breed) to the fading puppy.
- Repeat every 2 hours for 12 hours, then every 4 hours.
√ When we used the Magic Liver Elixer the puppy rallied in 2 doses. Please note: we also gave tiny dabs of Nutri-Cal (by Tomlyn Products) just after the elixer.
Myra Savant-Harris’s Recipe for Puppy Formula – Liver Water
This recipe is preferred to the store bought canned or powdered puppy formula because it has a higher calorie content and will put weight on a puppy faster than other formula. Commercial formula has the disadvantage that puppies struggle to gain weight on it.
Additionally this recipe uses Liver Water which is a Homeopathic remedy for fading puppy syndrone.
To make Liver Water: Boil one large piece of liver in a cup of water (add water if needed) until it is very cooked. Strain the liquid and freeze leftover liquid in ice cube trays and keep in plastic bag.
Whole Goats Milk powder is preferred, but you can add 2 Tbs of Canola Oil to add the missing oil if all you can find is 2%
* OR – One can of 10-12oz canned evaporated goats milk, or evaporated cows milk – Goats milk is more like Canine milk but if that’s what you got in crunch you can use it.
RECIPE for Puppy Formula:
Myra’s thoughts on this formula:
Additionally this recipe uses Liver Water which is a Homeopathic remedy for fading puppy syndrone.
To make Liver Water: Boil one large piece of liver in a cup of water (add water if needed) until it is very cooked. Strain the liquid and freeze leftover liquid in ice cube trays and keep in plastic bag.
Whole Goats Milk powder is preferred, but you can add 2 Tbs of Canola Oil to add the missing oil if all you can find is 2%
* OR – One can of 10-12oz canned evaporated goats milk, or evaporated cows milk – Goats milk is more like Canine milk but if that’s what you got in crunch you can use it.
RECIPE for Puppy Formula:
- 10 oz can of evaporated goats milk or you can use the Goats Milk Powder
- 1/3 cup of strained liver water
- 2 raw egg yolks
- 1 Tablespoon of canola oil
- 1 cup of whole fat plain yogurt
- 1 tsp of any color of karo syrup, white, dark or maple
- 1 ml of Puppy Drops, with no iron
Myra’s thoughts on this formula:
- It is thick enough to avoid aspiration
There is enough yogurt to avoid diarrhea issues that are so common with tubing.
There is enough glucose to avoid hypoglycemia - There is also enough glucose to avoid constipation, common with tubing.
There are enough calories to set up a weight gaining pattern immediately. - Amino Acids in sufficient quantities to avoid juvenile cataract.
- It is high in Fats, Proteins and Carbohydrates with vitamins, minerals and iron and designed especially to head off the problems we all seem to have with tubing/hand raised babies.
Supplies for Hand Feeding a PUppyMany Newborn Puppies will not be able to take the typical pet bottles that are sold in the Pet Store. The Miracle Nipple for small pets is the best one to have on hand for the 2- 8 oz newborn puppy.
I also keep plenty of 3 ml Syringes on hand in case I have to feed the Puppy with a Syringe. Feeding a puppy 3 ml per meal, 6 times a day is an appropriate amount for a 4 oz Newborn Puppy. For other sizes you can refer to the Formula Chart below.... |
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How much formula to feed the Puppy:
Before you begin feed a newborn puppy formula, it is imperative that all the conditions are right.
WARMTH The puppy must have an internal temperature of 100 degrees which you can verify with a rectal thermometer. If you feed a puppy formula when they are too cold they will not be able to digest the food and they may die. If Mom is present, it is important to keep a newborn puppy close to his mother for warmth. If Mom is not present a warming box can be made. Get a small plastic box. Put a heating pad on the bottom turned to the LOW setting. The heating pad should only cover half of the floor so the puppy can move away from the pad if he gets too warm.
POSITION: Hold your puppy in a horizontal position when bottle feeding or tube feeding. Bottle feeding is a preferred method because the puppy is able to use the sucking refllex. When the puppy pulls away from the bottle he has had enough and is full. For weak puppies it may be necessary to use a 3ml Syringe to administer the formula. If using a syringe depress the liquid ery slowly so that the puppy is able to swallow the formula. Feeding the puppy formula too quickly could cause a puppy to aspirate the liquid which could cause pneumonia.
Click on the Puppy Feeding Chart by Weight...for a PDF Chart of How much to Feed your puppy.
WARMTH The puppy must have an internal temperature of 100 degrees which you can verify with a rectal thermometer. If you feed a puppy formula when they are too cold they will not be able to digest the food and they may die. If Mom is present, it is important to keep a newborn puppy close to his mother for warmth. If Mom is not present a warming box can be made. Get a small plastic box. Put a heating pad on the bottom turned to the LOW setting. The heating pad should only cover half of the floor so the puppy can move away from the pad if he gets too warm.
POSITION: Hold your puppy in a horizontal position when bottle feeding or tube feeding. Bottle feeding is a preferred method because the puppy is able to use the sucking refllex. When the puppy pulls away from the bottle he has had enough and is full. For weak puppies it may be necessary to use a 3ml Syringe to administer the formula. If using a syringe depress the liquid ery slowly so that the puppy is able to swallow the formula. Feeding the puppy formula too quickly could cause a puppy to aspirate the liquid which could cause pneumonia.
Click on the Puppy Feeding Chart by Weight...for a PDF Chart of How much to Feed your puppy.
Bringing Mom into Milk..
“Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 1
Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 2
If you don’t have a package of vanilla pudding on hand you can mix the following in a saucepan and cook to pudding consistency.
“Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 3
Mix it up with egg beater or blender and let it sit at room temperature for 10 min. to let the junket tablets work. It thickens up slightly but is still quite easily poured.
“Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 1
- 1 package Vanilla Pudding (cooked kind)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 cups milk
- 4 egg yolks
Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 2
If you don’t have a package of vanilla pudding on hand you can mix the following in a saucepan and cook to pudding consistency.
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 6 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups milk (or one can evaporated milk plus equal parts water to make quart)
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 tsp vanilla
“Mother’s Pudding” for a Nursing Bitch 3
- 1 cup milk (I used powdered goats milk or manna pro)
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1-2 tsp. flax seed oil (keep refrigerated after opening bottle)
- 1 raw egg (or two yolks)
Mix it up with egg beater or blender and let it sit at room temperature for 10 min. to let the junket tablets work. It thickens up slightly but is still quite easily poured.
Electrolyte Replacement Formula
Refrigerate what you do not use, but do not keep for more than 48 hours; make a new batch. It is safe for pets, particularly puppies and rabbits.
This recipe was made available as a result of an FDA Health Alert regarding Xylitol and Aspartame being used in some formulations of commercial Electrolyte replacement products.
You can freeze this solution into an ice cube tray and put the cubes into zip lock bags for convenience. Then give Mom or pup an ice cube as needed. If they are reluctant to drink they might enjoy a frozen ‘treat’.
- 1 quart purified or natural spring water
- 2-4 teaspoons raw, unprocessed sugar,
or 1-2 teaspoons of powdered fruit sugar (fructose) - 1 teaspoon Himalayan or Celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon of Salt Substitute (Potassium Chloride)
Refrigerate what you do not use, but do not keep for more than 48 hours; make a new batch. It is safe for pets, particularly puppies and rabbits.
This recipe was made available as a result of an FDA Health Alert regarding Xylitol and Aspartame being used in some formulations of commercial Electrolyte replacement products.
You can freeze this solution into an ice cube tray and put the cubes into zip lock bags for convenience. Then give Mom or pup an ice cube as needed. If they are reluctant to drink they might enjoy a frozen ‘treat’.
Worming a litter of Puppies
Dosage Information:
Worm litter with Pyrantel Pamoate at 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Then switch to Safeguard (Fenbendazole) at 6 and 8 weeks. (3 days in a row)
Worm all the dogs on your property at the same time. 10 days before whelping and every time you worm the puppies.
Safeguard cannot be used on puppies until they are 6 weeks of age. Safeguard kills more worms than Pyrantel Pamoate.
It also kills Giardia.
Hookworms can also be transferred through the milk. Your pregnant dog needs to be wormed 10 days prior to giving birth and every 3 weeks while she is feeding her pups. The pups are wormed from 2 weeks of age and wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age.
Dosage Information:
Worm litter with Pyrantel Pamoate at 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Then switch to Safeguard (Fenbendazole) at 6 and 8 weeks. (3 days in a row)
Worm all the dogs on your property at the same time. 10 days before whelping and every time you worm the puppies.
Safeguard cannot be used on puppies until they are 6 weeks of age. Safeguard kills more worms than Pyrantel Pamoate.
It also kills Giardia.
Hookworms can also be transferred through the milk. Your pregnant dog needs to be wormed 10 days prior to giving birth and every 3 weeks while she is feeding her pups. The pups are wormed from 2 weeks of age and wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age.
Nemex II (lower dose than tall white bottle of Pyrantel)
8 oz (.5 lb) .25 cc
16 oz (1 lb) .5 cc
24 oz (1.5 lb) .75 cc
32 oz (2 lb) 1 ml
40m oz 2.5 lbs 1.25 ml
48 oz 3 lbs 1.5 ml
4lb 2 ml
5 lb 2.5 ml
10 lbs 5 ml
At 6 weeks switch to Fenbendazole
8 oz (.5 lb) .25 cc
16 oz (1 lb) .5 cc
24 oz (1.5 lb) .75 cc
32 oz (2 lb) 1 ml
40m oz 2.5 lbs 1.25 ml
48 oz 3 lbs 1.5 ml
4lb 2 ml
5 lb 2.5 ml
10 lbs 5 ml
At 6 weeks switch to Fenbendazole
PYRANTEL PUPPY DOSING CHART 50 mg./ml
(The big white bottle is a higher concentration than Nemex II)
1 ml = 1 cc Use a 1 cc syringe to administer medication below
Wt. LBS. Dosage mg./lb. Dosage to give per ml
2.00 4.55 0.18
3.00 4.55 0.27
4.00 4.55 0.36
5.00 4.55 0.46
6.00 2.27 0.27
7.00 2.27 0.32
8.00 2.27 0.36
9.00 2.27 0.41
10.00 2.27 0.45
11.00 2.27 0.50
12.00 2.27 0.54
13.00 2.27 0.59
14.00 2.27 0.64
15.00 2.27 0.68
16.00 2.27 0.73
17.00 2.27 0.77
18.00 2.27 0.82
19.00 2.27 0.86
20.00 2.27 0.91
21.00 2.27 0.95
22.00 2.27 1 full mL
23.00 2.27 1.04
24.00 2.27 1.09
At 6 and 8 weeks of age switch to Safeguard (Fendbnedazole) which covers more types of worms::
(The big white bottle is a higher concentration than Nemex II)
1 ml = 1 cc Use a 1 cc syringe to administer medication below
Wt. LBS. Dosage mg./lb. Dosage to give per ml
2.00 4.55 0.18
3.00 4.55 0.27
4.00 4.55 0.36
5.00 4.55 0.46
6.00 2.27 0.27
7.00 2.27 0.32
8.00 2.27 0.36
9.00 2.27 0.41
10.00 2.27 0.45
11.00 2.27 0.50
12.00 2.27 0.54
13.00 2.27 0.59
14.00 2.27 0.64
15.00 2.27 0.68
16.00 2.27 0.73
17.00 2.27 0.77
18.00 2.27 0.82
19.00 2.27 0.86
20.00 2.27 0.91
21.00 2.27 0.95
22.00 2.27 1 full mL
23.00 2.27 1.04
24.00 2.27 1.09
At 6 and 8 weeks of age switch to Safeguard (Fendbnedazole) which covers more types of worms::
FENBENDAZOLE ADULT & PUPPIES DOG DOSAGE CHART 10% (100 mg/ml)Pet Weight (Lbs)Fenbendazole Dosage (mL)
2.5 lb .5 cc
3 lb .6 cc
3.5 lb .7 cc
4 lb .9 cc
5 lbs 1 ml
10 lbs 2 ml
15 lbs 3 ml
20 lbs 4 ml
25 lbs 5 ml
2.5 lb .5 cc
3 lb .6 cc
3.5 lb .7 cc
4 lb .9 cc
5 lbs 1 ml
10 lbs 2 ml
15 lbs 3 ml
20 lbs 4 ml
25 lbs 5 ml
Prevention from Coccidia
Coccidia are smaller protozoans (one celled organims) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. It is most common in kittens and puppies less than 6 months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways (change of ownership, other disease present). As a puppy or kitten ages it tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. Adult's may carry coccidia in their intestines and shed the cysts in the feces, but experience no ill effects.
Since adult dogs can carry Coccidia without exhibiting signs, they should use the potty in areas where the litters do not frequent. Setting up a separate play are in the yard is advisable.
Since Coccidia is resistant to bleach solutions and most disinfectants, it is advised to use Rescue disinfectant in the home or kennel to disinfect putty trays, floors, whelping pads, toys and bedding.
Read more at Integrity Farms website.
If you get Coccidia in a litter, You can treat future litters as follows:
12.5% Albon - Sulmate add 4ml per gallon of water for puppies drinking water
Cocci-guard
Cocci-guard Is a preventative treatment sold by Revival Animal Health to be given to dogs and puppies. This medications stops Coccidia from reproducing and is safe to give routinely in the food of adults and puppies in a kennel or breeding program. When mixed into the food, Coccidia that has been ingested by a dog or puppy will not reproduce and will be naturally expelled through the feces. This medication is a preventative, and nto a treatment. You will need to take the puppy to the vet immediately if you see signs that an outbreak has already occurred. Signs of Coccidia is lethargy and a loose or bloody stool. The veterinary will likely prescribe Alban for a period of 9 days. And then retest the stool sample after that time to see if retreatment is needed.
Color genetics in a Schnauzer see this link
FREE Charts for Whelping:
Calculate your Dogs Due Date using this Canine Pregnancy Calculator, or keep this 63 Day Perpetual Whelping Chart on hand for quick reference.
How to Chart your Dogs Temperature to predict whelping time. Here is a printable chart for Charting Temperatures.
Printable Temperature Chart tempchart.pdf
Newborn Puppy Weight Chart dopplerchart.pdf
Birth Record Chart birthchart.pdf
When it is time to Whelp you will need these charts
Puppy Birth Record
After the puppies are born you need a Litter Weight Record to keep track of their weights to make sure they are thriving.
Bottle Feeding Puppies
Breeder Youtube Channel
Feeding Newborns Video
Great Supplies for Whelping a Litter
Whelping Pads
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This 41" x 41" size will cover the floor of an IRIS pen that is 4 panel square.
I use these with my puppies because they are washable and absorbent. |
FLEECE LINERS
Whelpwise has some useful whelping supplies ...but I especially like their Fleece liners that are perfect for newborn puppies to keep them warm and dry. Scroll down the page to find them
KIDDY POOL COVERS
The most common and inexpensive whelping box is a Kiddy Pool. But it can be hard to keep the pool warmly lined and safe for a new litter. This KirstenFulk on Etsy offers some well constructed covers that fit the Kiddy pool snuggly and provide a safe lining for a Baby Pool.
Cute Puppy Bows and Bow Ties
I found these cute Puppy Bows and Bow Ties on Amazon. The price is reasonable....better value then making them yourself.
I found these cute Puppy Bows and Bow Ties on Amazon. The price is reasonable....better value then making them yourself.
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Flea Protection:
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My veterinary recommends the Sorresto Dog Flea Collar. This collar provides 8 months of Flea and Tick prevention for your dog. I buy the Large Dog collar and cut it in half to use for 2 dogs. I attach it to the inside of my dogs regular leather collar with small zip ties and it stays there securely. When fleas are not a big problem, I can switch it to a different dog every week, just to be sure the fleas are not around.
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More Supplies for Breeders
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