Hi,
I am after some advice on breeding my first litter. This is not something i am going into lightly but have read loads of books and spoken to lots of people from the show world. It seems to me each breeder has their own ideas on caring for the bitch throughout the pregnancy and I want to do whatever is best for my little girl Aimee, so her puppies get the best start in life.
I have asked about folic acid. When do you start giving this to the bitch? I have been told once a week, every day from mating, every day from first day of season until five weeks from mating. What do you suggest I do and can you overdose a bitch on folic acid?
Some breeders feed wheatgerm, but how much do i give her and when do i start to give it? Some breeders give pure vitamin e. What is the difference between vitamin e and wheatgerm oil. I thought wheatgerm oil was full of vitamin e.
Has anyone used raspberry leaf tablets throughout a pregnancy? I used to give Aimee two tablets a day from first day of season for 12 weeks to stop her having a phantom pregnancy, recommended by Dorwest Herbs, but i also notice that you can give it to a bitch in whelp to help with the smooth whelping of the puppies and also to make sure that the afterbirths are expelled properly.
When do you start feeding the bitch up when you know she is definitely in whelp? Will Aimee let me know when she wants extra food, or is there a certain stage when I should start giving her extra? Then how many meals do I give her? What do i give her? Some breeders say puppy food for the extra protein, but what do you suggest I give her?
There also seems to be a mixed reaction when I have asked about extra calcium. Do I give any to Aimee during the pregnancy or do i only give it to her when she has had the puppies?
Sorry about all the questions. You may feel that they are somewhat stupid things to ask, but i want to make sure that i give my little the girl the best care i can when she is in whelp. This is both our first time and I am nervous as hell that something will go wrong because i have forgotten to give her something. Aimee's breeder has given me advice for which i am thankful, but i wanted to see what advice other breeders can give me.
If anyone has any further advice to add, I would be extremely grateful to you. Aimee should come into season any day now so I want to start on the right foot so to speak.
Many thanks to you all,
Sandra