Posts

Heating Options for the Whelping Area

Image
There are many options for heating the whelping area and there are many opinions as to which ones are the best for the whelping area. It is very important to provide extra heating for the newborn puppies because they are unable to thermoregulate their body temperature. Heating Pads There are various different types of heating pads available on the market. The ones most commonly used are the following: Kennel Heating Pads/Whelping Heating Pads these are pads usually constructed with vinyl made specifically for heating kennel areas usually made for outdoor enclosures for outdoor kennels and runs usually there are very basic temperature controls and settings that are vague and approximate requires manual monitoring to keep at a stable temperature or adding a third party sensor device can range in price from $30 to $100 depending on size and materials used check materials, some can have a lot of off-gassing of chemicals check build quality, some may be easily chewed/broken
Post a Comment
Read more

The Whelping Box - What I've Found So Far

Image
I've been looking around for the perfect whelping box for our first litter. Our foundation dam, Millie, will be in heat again around December/January and so I have a lot of time to make a decision on the perfect whelping box. In no particular order, I have weighed the pros and cons of whelping boxes I found on google. Whelping boxes can be very expensive if you want to buy one that has already been made. However, making one yourself can cost a minimum of $160. Considering that the cheapest ready made box is $175 CDN--the time that it takes to build a whelping box yourself will eat into the savings. Also, there is the worry that the box you build may not end up being easy to clean. Ready made boxes usually come with customer testimonials so you have a better idea of what to expect. My criteria for whelping boxes: 1. Price - as affordable as possible without compromising safety, ideally under $300 CDN 2. Quality - easy to set up and store, easy to clean, durable 3. Safe Mat
Post a Comment
Read more

Help! My dog has bloody, mucus filled diarrhea! Remedies for Dog Colitis

Image
Are you familiar with this scenario? You are suddenly jarred awake at 4 am because you hear your dog vomiting. Then your dog urgently runs outside where he stoops several times straining to push out small amounts of a bloody, mucusy, stinky stool. He may also have accidents in the house.  These are typical signs of an inflamed colon and different from inflammation of the small intestine. With upper intestinal disease, the diarrhea is usually shortly after eating, watery and in greater amounts. If there is more of a solid stool, it will be black in color indicating upper intestinal bleeding. When inflammation is lower in the intestines, the diarrhea occurs hours after eating and there is much less water content and a lot of gelatinous mucus. If there is blood, it is usually alarmingly bright red along with the gelatinous mucus. The following remedies are great for treating colitis and they are also great as supplements for strengthening and balancing the immune system. Sympto
Post a Comment
Read more

9 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Breeder

Image
What to consider before breeding dogs: 1. It is risking the dam's health. Make sure to research her pedigree and stud pedigree to ensure they will produce healthy offspring. Nothing is guaranteed even with testing, (just the test itself), however, so know that risk of something going wrong is always there. 2. Risking puppy health during whelping and after whelping. Know, research, talk to vets, get mentored by a veteran breeder to administer the medical procedures and first aid for MANY disorders. 3. Acquiring a prized/healthy stud dog is expensive, (AI or owning/co-owning). Research the pedigree! 4. You need a lot of money for genetic testing, medical supplies, whelping supplies, food, veterinary care, AKC/CKC membership, local breed club membership, stud dog and other expenses associated to having 2 dogs plus puppies. 5. Knowledge of genetics and extensive reading time investment, plus time to answer questions, screen and service new owners. 6. Record keeping disc
Post a Comment
Read more