Expert: Renee Cox - 7/11/2008

Question
I have a bunch of questions I'm sorry. My boxer Daisy just had 8 puppies. There a day old, when should i take them to the vet? Do i need to weigh them to make sure there a boxers normal weight, so i know which ones to keep an eye on? There is a runt, so i know he's probably underweight. Plus Daisy curls up around them so its hard for all of them to have access to her bottles. She doesn't growl at me or anything but she does hover over them like she's protecting them so i don't want to stress her out too much but i feel like i should help the puppies get in there. I have a book called Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook which is a little informative on the important things to their health like nursing and their body heat right now, but i don't want to do anything to make her abandon any of them or smother them. So what would be the best approach? Hope this isn't too confusing. Hope you can help and look forward to hearing from you.

Crystal Frazier
North Carolina

Answer
Hi Crystal. You can weigh them. This is a good method of keeping up with them, and making sure that they're all putting on weight. I take my puppies in a t three days of age to have their tails/dewclaws done. Does mom still pant quite a bit? If so, and the fact that she doesn't lay stright out for them, may indicate that she still has a placenta or puppy still inside of her. A trip to the vet for a check up is best. If she doesn't have anything left in side of her, then you may have to make her lay down for them. If this is her first litter, she may not exactly what she should do, and you may just have to show he a few times. Keep visitors to a minimum so she doesn't feel threatened, and this behavior should fix itself. Gently make her lay on her side, and put the puppies on her. You may have to keep a hand on her side to make her lay. Good luck, and if I can help with anything else, let me know!