S O P

[Blakbelgian]

Hi everyone,

I have to prepepare a S O P (standard Operational Procedure) and I chose

Preparing for a litter.

Have I left anything out as it has been a couple of years since our last litter.

Thanks for your help.

BB

Preparing for a Litter of Pups.

Purpose:

To whelp & raise a healthy litter of pups in a clean environment.

Responsibility:

To have the mother & pups survive.

OHS issues:

Box may be too big so the mother may accidently bury a pup under the newspaper.

If box, paper or bedding is dirty the mother could get an infection and pass onto the pups and pups may die.

You could cut the umbilical cord too short if the mother doesn’t sever it properly.

Hot water bottle may be too hot & scold the puppy. If too cold the puppy could die.

Equipment & Materials needed:

Vacuum or a mop & bucket.

Whelping box bedding or clean newspaper.

Plastic bags for soiled newspaper.

Pen & Paper. Weigh Scales.

Laundry basket with clean towel & hot water bottle.

Manicure scissors in jar of disinfectant.

Telephone & contact details of vet & friends.

Clock Thermometer.

Radio, television or a book/magazine

Procedure:

1. Depending where the whelping box will be positioned you will have to either vacuum or wash the floor.

2. Disinfect the whelping box. Once dry place bedding and or clean newspapers in it.

3. Introduce the expectant mother to the box approximately two weeks prior to whelping. Do not allow other dogs in it as she may reject the box.

4. In a suitable position next to the whelping box place the above equipment.

5. At the same time day & night take the bitch’s temperature and record it.

6. Most bitches’ temperature will drop to 36’C once this occurs keep other dogs away and watch the bitch for contractions.

7. While waiting for contractions you could watch TV, read a book or call your friends/vet that labor has started.

[Kadbury]

Dental Floss for cord.

Calcium Sandoz.

Still running through my mind for other necessary items. :)

[Rebanne]

OHS issues, somewhere to put the dirty newspaper safely out of the way so you don't slip on it, ditto tripping on other bedding. Safe electrical equipement for human and canine. Box too small may result in overheated pup or dam.

[Alyosha]

OH&S issue for human assistants - short stool etc should be available for sitting on as back may suffer from much crouching/kneeling etc during whelping.

[Blakbelgian]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I hadn't thought of those things.

BB

[LizT]

Handy Coffee maker and Chocolates. :D Biscuits too, if carbo loading needed for along night.

Laptop to inform fellow DOlers of progress.

Camera. In your breeds case coloured I.D. ties.

[Blakbelgian]

Thanks for that LizT, we use white nail polish in various places if more than one in each gender.

BB

[LizT]

Thanks for that LizT, we use white nail polish in various places if more than one in each gender.

BB

That's clever. Oh and I forgot you can get mixed colour litters too now. :laugh:

What colours are you expecting?

[Blakbelgian]

LizT,

Yes am aware of mixed color litters in Schipps. Keep hoping our girl will produce one BUT she hasn't.

Doubt color is in her genes.

This time around probably all blacks. Don't have much hope for color.

BB