Whelping Kits: A Useful, Economical Tool

Can you put together your own whelping kit...ABSOLUTELY !
Pre-made whelping kits are a convenience for those that do not have the time run around and gather all the items they may need. Also, many of the items in pre-made whelping kits are sold in bulk you may not want to buy a100 of a specific item when you may need only a few of them.
For example: You would like a chicken nugget meal for your child... You can go to the grocery store, spend 20 minutesand buy a 1 pound box of frozen nuggets, a bag of frozen shoestring french fries and a 2 liter bottle of soda. Then you go home and heat up the oven and put in6 nuggets and a handful of fries, get a glass, add ice and pour a small glass of soda. (all the while your child is pestering you to find out when it's done because he/she is hungry NOW) 20 minutes later you have your meal but you also have 2/3 of a box of nuggets and 3/4 bag of french fries in your freezer andmost of the liter of soda in your fridge.
$3.65 for nuggets, $.99 french fries, $1.49 soda - plus you need to clean up your pan and dishes
OR
Go to Micky Ds - pick up achicken nuggetkids meal for $3.29, with toy, and have a happy child in about 10 minutes.Throw away bag when done. And...your child has a toy.
It's all about the convenience.
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Yes, dogs have been having puppies with no assistance forever.On the other hand -puppies have been having geplications, and even dieing during the birth process,so there are times when they need some intervention to insure a healthy, safe delivery. You may never need items in a whelping kit, your dog will most probably do just fine with no interference. But what if...?

Items you may want to have available when helping to whelp puppies.
Stethoscope - Great for listening to newborns lungs to make sure there is no crackling, a sign the puppy may have aspirated fluids. Just an FYI - Generally, you are not going to be able to get a puppy-count by listening to mom's belly.
Gloves - The gloves are generally not sterile and mostly used to keep your hands clean.
Thermometer - To verify puppies are not running a fever, also good to help estimate delivery time for mom.
Underpads - Giving birth is messy - pads can be easily removed and discarded with little disturbance to mom and pups.
Bulb Syringe - Used to remove fluids from nose and mouth. Remember, it does not take a lot of pressure to remove fluids. Getting a sterile Bulb Syringe is best.
Lubricant - Small dog, big puppy? A little lubricant can make the delivery easier.
Iodine or Alcohol prep pads - Used to clean cord where cut or bitten off.
Disposable Wash Clothes - To wipe down mom and or pups, or just the whelping area.
Hemostats - These are clamps. If you do need to help cut the cord, you use these to clamp the cord and cut between the clamp and the placenta.
Scissors - Used to cut the cord
Floss or Umbilical string - If you do need to cut the cord, tie off the cord between the hemostat and the body ---- Do not release the hemostat without tying off the cord first.
Puppy ID Collars/Bands - These are great if you have a litter that all look very similar. Look for a flexible collar that cannot be chewed off easily. As with regular dogs, do not allow the collar to be too loose or too tight. Puppy should not be able to get his mouth under the collar. Maintain care to the neck area. Puppies grow... collars do not. If collar gets tight REMOVE it.
Kidney shaped Basin - Just a nice container to keep you tools in between pups.
Styptic Powder/Gel - Sometimes mom may get over zealous in chewing the cord. If she chews the cord too short you can use a small amount of styptic powdered/gel to stop the bleeding. If bleeding does not stop within a couple minutes, you need to call or get your pup to the vet.
Feeding Tube - Please, DO NOT USE if you have never done so before. Feeding tubes are great and often life-saving for ill or tiny puppy. But used incorrectly it can cause injury or death should the tube go into the lungs instead of the stomach. Your vet can show you how to insert and use the feeding tube properly.
Feeding Syringe (without needle) - Used attached to the feeding tube to dispense a specific amount of formula. Some breeders would rather use a syringe instead of a bottle.
Bottle - If momma cannot feed her pups, or if there is a little one that cannot fight his way to a teat, you may need to bottle-feed.
Milk Replacer - No description really necessary. Packages or cans are great for emergency feedings, but there are recipes that you can use to make nutritious formula without the high cost of packaged products.
Nutri-Stat - A High calorie supplement that helps boost mom and or pup.
Flashlight - Nice to have in the kit, because invariably when you need it you cannot find it. And a lot of moms will look for a nice dark place to have the pups, not the wonderful whelping box you have set-up for her.
Hand Sanitizer / Sanitizer Wipes - Quick way to get ready to help with pups, when there is no time to wash at a sink.
Bio-Hazard Toss Bag - Used to dispose of placentas.
Puppy Scale - Usually with a "scoop" type bowl to insure pups gefort and safety.
Nail Trimmers - Puppies nails can irritate mom if they get too long. Trim as needed.
Disposable Camera - Nice to have in the kit. It's there, it's ready to go when you don't have time to look for the digital.
I hope this helps you determine if a pre-made Whelping Kit is right for you. Whether you buy a kit or put one together, I encourage you to have your supplies ready several days prior to your whelping date.
Have a wonderful, safe Whelping experience!~ Missy