So as everyone knows Getka had her pups yesterday. Decided to give those on the list a call rather than making everyone wait and check the blog for count, color and sex. A couple people on the list, not surprisingly but sadly, were disappointed when we came up short 2 pups to fulfill all requests. Actually, I'm blown away by how close she came to fulfilling all requests. I wouldn't have been surprised if her list were only half fulfilled. It's tough to get it right when number, sex AND color are a factor. I guess it helps that I show my girls their lists and whisper sweet nothings in their ears while we wait.
Once the calls were behind me I admittedly felt the pressure was off as far as getting my blog updated in a timely fashion. Gave me a chance to get things put back in order following a near full day devoted to whelp watch/assist.
Getka came through like a trooper but is obviously exhausted today. And she was a little stressed this morning. Not sure what set her off. Maybe the alarm clock. She remained in her whelping box through the night and was quietly laying with her pups when the racket of the alarm sounded this morning. After a brief glance over I ventured into the next room to make some coffee and within a minute or two I heard a pup hollering. Quick to check, I found, with a pup in her mouth, Getka had jumped up on the bed. I took the pup from her and placed it back in the box. Naturally she followed but immediately grabbed another and back on the bed she went. The 2nd time I scolded her and gave her a firm no when she went to pick up a third pup. She stayed put and I finished making my coffee.
The reason for the alarm was to assure I'd be up and prepared for an early morning Vet visit for my horses. Poor Getka, with my worry she'd have the whole litter on the bed when I returned was banished to the dog run while I dealt with the horses and Vet. She was obviously not ready to spend time away from her pups. Felt bad doing it to her but I also didn't want to risk a pup rolling off or getting otherwise injured. I've hung close throughout the day, always at least within earshot and haven't had any further attempts by her to relocate her pups.
Back to yesterday, I got pretty lucky with timing as far as whelping goes. Getka's first of 13 pups came @ 3:45pm yesterday very soon after I created the blog entry predicting a daytime delivery didn't look likely. Her last pup came at 11pm. I stayed up a couple hours beyond that to assure she and pups were settled and the last was in fact the last. I'm sad to report we lost one pup during the birthing process. A good sized male born still having lost his protective sac at some point during delivery Truly a traumatic thing to witness and I'm a little torn about writing about him but on the other hand feel it right to acknowledge his being.
I was happy to wake this morning to a thriving litter, all eating, squirming and squeaking. A count of twelve pups- eight black males, two black females and 2 red females. Their weights measured today ran a little lighter than some litters of past but this was a big litter for Getka to support. We've both got our work cut out for us going forward. This litter produced my first true runt. He's a really tiny guy of only nine ounces. Based on size alone I'm a little concerned about him but he's doing all that the other pups are doing including pushing himself up to the milk bar unassisted. I've assigned him the green collar to hopefully instill a little luck of the irish within him. My fingers remain crossed too and hope all of you will root for him as well! Often, I've heard and read runts frequently outgrow their litter-mates. Some people feel they're the true survivors. The first few days though are critical and I'm determined to get him through those days. Then comes his ability to power through or sneak around the bigger pups. Supplimental feedings are an option too but for now he's getting in there for the good stuff.
Once the calls were behind me I admittedly felt the pressure was off as far as getting my blog updated in a timely fashion. Gave me a chance to get things put back in order following a near full day devoted to whelp watch/assist.
Getka came through like a trooper but is obviously exhausted today. And she was a little stressed this morning. Not sure what set her off. Maybe the alarm clock. She remained in her whelping box through the night and was quietly laying with her pups when the racket of the alarm sounded this morning. After a brief glance over I ventured into the next room to make some coffee and within a minute or two I heard a pup hollering. Quick to check, I found, with a pup in her mouth, Getka had jumped up on the bed. I took the pup from her and placed it back in the box. Naturally she followed but immediately grabbed another and back on the bed she went. The 2nd time I scolded her and gave her a firm no when she went to pick up a third pup. She stayed put and I finished making my coffee.
The reason for the alarm was to assure I'd be up and prepared for an early morning Vet visit for my horses. Poor Getka, with my worry she'd have the whole litter on the bed when I returned was banished to the dog run while I dealt with the horses and Vet. She was obviously not ready to spend time away from her pups. Felt bad doing it to her but I also didn't want to risk a pup rolling off or getting otherwise injured. I've hung close throughout the day, always at least within earshot and haven't had any further attempts by her to relocate her pups.
Back to yesterday, I got pretty lucky with timing as far as whelping goes. Getka's first of 13 pups came @ 3:45pm yesterday very soon after I created the blog entry predicting a daytime delivery didn't look likely. Her last pup came at 11pm. I stayed up a couple hours beyond that to assure she and pups were settled and the last was in fact the last. I'm sad to report we lost one pup during the birthing process. A good sized male born still having lost his protective sac at some point during delivery Truly a traumatic thing to witness and I'm a little torn about writing about him but on the other hand feel it right to acknowledge his being.
I was happy to wake this morning to a thriving litter, all eating, squirming and squeaking. A count of twelve pups- eight black males, two black females and 2 red females. Their weights measured today ran a little lighter than some litters of past but this was a big litter for Getka to support. We've both got our work cut out for us going forward. This litter produced my first true runt. He's a really tiny guy of only nine ounces. Based on size alone I'm a little concerned about him but he's doing all that the other pups are doing including pushing himself up to the milk bar unassisted. I've assigned him the green collar to hopefully instill a little luck of the irish within him. My fingers remain crossed too and hope all of you will root for him as well! Often, I've heard and read runts frequently outgrow their litter-mates. Some people feel they're the true survivors. The first few days though are critical and I'm determined to get him through those days. Then comes his ability to power through or sneak around the bigger pups. Supplimental feedings are an option too but for now he's getting in there for the good stuff.
RSS Feed
