Well not a lot to report on, which is good news really.
Tilly seems to be so much more comfortable today, which is such a relief. She has been asking to go out to the toilet and even got a bit excited when I took Eve out in the car. It will be a little while before she joins us for walks again.
Puppies are doing really well and the children have started to think of pet names for them, some of which are quite appropriate!
One of the girls has been named Pumpkin, and having now put on over 100gramms is even more appropriate than a Halloween name! We also have a Pippi Long Stocking, she has quite a lot of white on her hind legs, so again quite appropriate. The only boy has been named Jack - Jack O Lantern.
So pleased to hear that you're all enjoying the blog, I'll post some more pics over the weekend.
Friday 31 October 2014
Thursday 30 October 2014
Day One
Is it really only day one!! Feels like these pups have been part of the family for ages.
Tilly is much more herself today, with the effects of the aesthetic wearing off at last. All had a good night, only the occasion time to locate a puppy that had gone behind poor Tilly. So handy sleeping next to the box, to keep an eye on things and not really have to leave my bed.
We have had to lift Tilly out of the box in order to persuade her to go outside to the toilet, this has been quite difficult as we haven't wanted to hurt her as she is rather sore. Thankfully this afternoon she has been much more willing to leave the box for a few mins to have a toilet break, and is so keen to get back in with her babies.
The pups have found the heating mat this afternoon too, and it was lovely to see them all lined up having a sleep whilst Tilly napped in the box with them. It's amazing watching how well they can get around, as long as they are on the vetbed or mat they have no problems.
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| Yes, only 5 but one is tucked under her back leg! |
Tilly is much more herself today, with the effects of the aesthetic wearing off at last. All had a good night, only the occasion time to locate a puppy that had gone behind poor Tilly. So handy sleeping next to the box, to keep an eye on things and not really have to leave my bed.
We have had to lift Tilly out of the box in order to persuade her to go outside to the toilet, this has been quite difficult as we haven't wanted to hurt her as she is rather sore. Thankfully this afternoon she has been much more willing to leave the box for a few mins to have a toilet break, and is so keen to get back in with her babies.
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| All cuddled up on the heat mat |
The pups have found the heating mat this afternoon too, and it was lovely to see them all lined up having a sleep whilst Tilly napped in the box with them. It's amazing watching how well they can get around, as long as they are on the vetbed or mat they have no problems.
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| Tilly having a break from nursing |
Wednesday 29 October 2014
We're Here!!!
Well the news that you've all been waiting for, puppies arrived this morning!
It has been quite an eventful day, the first three pups were born in quick succession similar to Tilly's previous litters. Half an hour to forty mins has always been her time scale for the first 5-6 pups and then as she tires she slows down a little. One was born breech, but didn't pose any problems and all were settled and suckling from mum well.
However this time, nothing was happening. It was clear that there were still pups inside and she was still contracting but she just didn't seem to be getting anywhere. To pass the time I made a cup of tea to help take my mind of her, and then took her out to the loo - this tends to help when things aren't progressing but it didn't make any difference at all this time.
After two hours of no presentation from the puppy I decided to phone the vet, thankfully he hadn't had too heavy a workload and I arranged to meet him in ten mins. I then had to let Sean know that I needed to go and woke Tasha, who had been helping but was sent back to bed when nothing was happening. We loaded the pups into a basket and wrapped then up well against the cold and Tilly followed them out, willingly getting into the car, with a lift from me!
The vet had a thorough check of Tilly, checking her heart & breathing and then did an internal. A pup could be felt way back in the birth canal, but there appeared to be plenty of room for it to pass through and it was difficult to assess its presentation. Tilly was given an injection of calcium & oxytocin to help strengthen the contractions. We were quickly sorted out and sent on our way, and promised to phone and let them know how we had got on when surgery opened at 8.30 am. Both of us expected the oxytocin to sort us out and the remaining pups would be delivered quickly and fairly easily.
After another two hours of bouts of contractions and no puppies, I then called the on call vet again and apologising for disturbing his sleep. I did know that he was back on duty in the morning surgery so wasn't too worried about waking him up. He agreed with me that we had more of a problem then first expected, and Tilly was brought back into the surgery.
As morning surgery was due to open soon, all staff were arriving ready for the working day, and the puppies were greatly admired. Tilly was quickly seen by the on call vet and Andrew, after another internal it was found that the puppy in the birth canal wasn't presented correctly and there was no room for it to turn. They couldn't feel how it was presenting, but knew that there was no alternative to a C section.
So we took the three pups home to have a sleep on the heat mat, and left Tilly in the capable hands of the vets and staff. What a long wait that hour was, waiting for news. We knew that the stuck puppy wasn't likely to have survived but didn't know whether the remaining puppies would be born alive.
We were all thrilled to have the news that we had another three pups, one boy and two girls - and all doing well. We returned to collect Tilly with her new batch of pups and settled them all in at home. Tilly bless here was still recovering from the anaesthetic, but has been such a fantastic mum even though she has had such a rough time so far.
All pups are now doing well, they've all been weighed and checked now, and all feeding well. So we have a total of 5 girls and 1 boy!!Not had much opportunity to take pics as wanting to leave Tilly to rest at the moment, so just quietly sitting with her and the pups ensuring that all is well with them all. They'll be lots of opportunity over the next few days to take more pics.
It has been quite an eventful day, the first three pups were born in quick succession similar to Tilly's previous litters. Half an hour to forty mins has always been her time scale for the first 5-6 pups and then as she tires she slows down a little. One was born breech, but didn't pose any problems and all were settled and suckling from mum well.
However this time, nothing was happening. It was clear that there were still pups inside and she was still contracting but she just didn't seem to be getting anywhere. To pass the time I made a cup of tea to help take my mind of her, and then took her out to the loo - this tends to help when things aren't progressing but it didn't make any difference at all this time.
After two hours of no presentation from the puppy I decided to phone the vet, thankfully he hadn't had too heavy a workload and I arranged to meet him in ten mins. I then had to let Sean know that I needed to go and woke Tasha, who had been helping but was sent back to bed when nothing was happening. We loaded the pups into a basket and wrapped then up well against the cold and Tilly followed them out, willingly getting into the car, with a lift from me!
The vet had a thorough check of Tilly, checking her heart & breathing and then did an internal. A pup could be felt way back in the birth canal, but there appeared to be plenty of room for it to pass through and it was difficult to assess its presentation. Tilly was given an injection of calcium & oxytocin to help strengthen the contractions. We were quickly sorted out and sent on our way, and promised to phone and let them know how we had got on when surgery opened at 8.30 am. Both of us expected the oxytocin to sort us out and the remaining pups would be delivered quickly and fairly easily.
After another two hours of bouts of contractions and no puppies, I then called the on call vet again and apologising for disturbing his sleep. I did know that he was back on duty in the morning surgery so wasn't too worried about waking him up. He agreed with me that we had more of a problem then first expected, and Tilly was brought back into the surgery.
As morning surgery was due to open soon, all staff were arriving ready for the working day, and the puppies were greatly admired. Tilly was quickly seen by the on call vet and Andrew, after another internal it was found that the puppy in the birth canal wasn't presented correctly and there was no room for it to turn. They couldn't feel how it was presenting, but knew that there was no alternative to a C section.
So we took the three pups home to have a sleep on the heat mat, and left Tilly in the capable hands of the vets and staff. What a long wait that hour was, waiting for news. We knew that the stuck puppy wasn't likely to have survived but didn't know whether the remaining puppies would be born alive.
We were all thrilled to have the news that we had another three pups, one boy and two girls - and all doing well. We returned to collect Tilly with her new batch of pups and settled them all in at home. Tilly bless here was still recovering from the anaesthetic, but has been such a fantastic mum even though she has had such a rough time so far.
All pups are now doing well, they've all been weighed and checked now, and all feeding well. So we have a total of 5 girls and 1 boy!!Not had much opportunity to take pics as wanting to leave Tilly to rest at the moment, so just quietly sitting with her and the pups ensuring that all is well with them all. They'll be lots of opportunity over the next few days to take more pics.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
The Long Wait!
This waiting for a litter doesn't seem to get any easier! We are all set now, the whelping box is all set to go, lined with paper and vet bed, the heat pad will be set up once things start to move on. Everything else that we might need during whelping is in the drawers next to the whelping box, and I have to keep mentally checking whether everything has been included.
The other dogs now know that something is going on, and now that the novelty of the box being set up has worn off now know to give Tilly and the whelping area some space.
Between us, one of us has been coming down during the night to check on Tilly, and to let her out if she's needed the toilet. The weather has been awful for the past few nights so she's made whoever has taken her out go right down onto the grass with her to keep her company!
Now it's just a wait and see when she delivers her lovely puppies, as from tonight I'll be sleeping down with her, next to the whelping box to keep an eye on things.
Will keep you all posted on any developments.
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| Not quite sure what these two have in mind!! |
The other dogs now know that something is going on, and now that the novelty of the box being set up has worn off now know to give Tilly and the whelping area some space.
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| Tilly finally reacquainting herself with the whelping box! |
Between us, one of us has been coming down during the night to check on Tilly, and to let her out if she's needed the toilet. The weather has been awful for the past few nights so she's made whoever has taken her out go right down onto the grass with her to keep her company!
Now it's just a wait and see when she delivers her lovely puppies, as from tonight I'll be sleeping down with her, next to the whelping box to keep an eye on things.
Will keep you all posted on any developments.
Saturday 25 October 2014
Counting Down
The last few days have been busy one's in preparation for the whelping which is expected to happen next weekend.
We took her to the Sealyham Estate on Wednesday where she had a lovely time with the others but has slowed down considerably. Now she will just do some road walking, at least we can just turn around if she's had enough.
Food has now been increased slightly, and split into four meals and as you would expect from Tilly she is continuing to enjoy her food. She is however feeling quite uncomfortable, and has today started to try and disappear behind hedges in the garden. She is thinking of nesting now, bless her!
Today we got the whelping box out of the garage attic, it was thoroughly cleaned after it was last used two years ago for Tilly's last litter but had another thorough clean and has been disinfected. The dogs were rather interested in what was going on, and Eve has had a good nose around in the box. However Tilly isn't too interested, which is what we have expected as with her previous litters has shown no real interest until she has started to whelp and then headed straight to the box, knowing exactly what it's for.
We took her to the Sealyham Estate on Wednesday where she had a lovely time with the others but has slowed down considerably. Now she will just do some road walking, at least we can just turn around if she's had enough.
Food has now been increased slightly, and split into four meals and as you would expect from Tilly she is continuing to enjoy her food. She is however feeling quite uncomfortable, and has today started to try and disappear behind hedges in the garden. She is thinking of nesting now, bless her!
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| Tilly just letting us getting on with it! |
Today we got the whelping box out of the garage attic, it was thoroughly cleaned after it was last used two years ago for Tilly's last litter but had another thorough clean and has been disinfected. The dogs were rather interested in what was going on, and Eve has had a good nose around in the box. However Tilly isn't too interested, which is what we have expected as with her previous litters has shown no real interest until she has started to whelp and then headed straight to the box, knowing exactly what it's for.
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| Nearly there |
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| Tilly looking rather fed up |
Sunday 19 October 2014
Welcome to our blog & first post!
Time seems to be flying by, and with only two weeks to go to be big day we thought that we ought to start a blog to share news. We have blogged for the last few litters here at Seahaven, it makes sharing news much easier with everyone having access to the same information at the same time. It is also so much easier to update, something I can do without having to hassle poor Sean.
Tilly appears to be growing by the day, and is continuing to eat well - she is a Toller after all!! We introduced a daily dose of Panacur wormer into her breakfast at day 43, and will continue on this regime until just after she has whelped.
Eve has been quite funny to watch around her mum at the moment, she knows that something is going on but isn't quite sure what. She has a good sniff around poor Tilly a few times each day and takes particular interest in her growing mammary glands. Every obliging Tilly just lets her get on with it.
I have continued to have her come out with the other dogs for walks at the moment, she has naturally slowed down her activities and enjoys the trips out as much as normal. We will gradually more her over to lead walks over the next week, and she has Maddie for company on these as she is still taking it easy after her recent spay.
The whelping box and area will be prepared this week in readiness for the big day, that's when it starts to feel 'real'.
Hope you all enjoy the blog, Donna
Tilly appears to be growing by the day, and is continuing to eat well - she is a Toller after all!! We introduced a daily dose of Panacur wormer into her breakfast at day 43, and will continue on this regime until just after she has whelped.
Eve has been quite funny to watch around her mum at the moment, she knows that something is going on but isn't quite sure what. She has a good sniff around poor Tilly a few times each day and takes particular interest in her growing mammary glands. Every obliging Tilly just lets her get on with it.
I have continued to have her come out with the other dogs for walks at the moment, she has naturally slowed down her activities and enjoys the trips out as much as normal. We will gradually more her over to lead walks over the next week, and she has Maddie for company on these as she is still taking it easy after her recent spay.
The whelping box and area will be prepared this week in readiness for the big day, that's when it starts to feel 'real'.
Hope you all enjoy the blog, Donna
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