You'll need a dog box or carrier large enough to transport newborn puppies to the vet with their mother. Look for a carrier that's comfortable for puppies and that's easy to carry in the car or bus. You can try spraying your dog carrier with a pheromone such as Adaptil, which will calm them down. If a stretcher needs to be moved by car, place puppies in a towel-lined dog cage that can be secured with a seat belt in your car.
Use a hot disk to keep them warm while you travel. Put the mother dog in a separate cage so she doesn't lie on top of the puppies while you travel. Keep the temperature in the vehicle at a minimum of 70 degrees. If the outside temperature is cold, move the puppies as quickly as possible in a covered box.
It is important that your veterinarian examines the mother and puppies within forty-eight hours after birth. The veterinarian will check the mother to make sure there is no infection and that she is producing enough milk. Puppies will also be examined to make sure there are no birth defects, such as cleft palate. Any medications or injections needed will be given during this visit.
For the first four days of life, the ambient temperature where puppies are kept should be maintained at 85-90°F (29.5-32°C). The larger the litter, the lower the ambient temperature, as the puppies will cuddle and stay warm. You should only touch or lift a newborn puppy if you notice that it is sick, if the mother abandons it, or in the case of orphaned puppies. If all the puppies look similar, you can identify the puppies using non-toxic permanent markers to mark each one on the abdomen (you can use multi-colored permanent markers).
Eclampsia most commonly occurs when puppies are between three and five weeks old and the mother produces the most milk. I kept a close eye on Falken and by the 12th he seemed more lethargic and didn't want to eat when the rest of the litter was having their feast. It can occur in puppies or adult dogs with compromised immune systems, but it usually occurs in dogs younger than one year old. Puppies that are crying or appear to be cold should be placed on the inguinal (posterior) nipples and checked frequently to ensure that the other puppies do not push them away.
Line the box with several sheets of newspaper or puppy pads before you give birth to the puppies, and then change to a thinner liner, such as an old sheet after you give birth. For the first two weeks of life, before their eyes open, puppies should feed and sleep at least 90% of the time. We rushed Raven and her new puppies to the farrowing box and helped her deliver her last five puppies for a total of eight.
