Stuff 2 Get Disclaimer: the information on this page is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the express condition
that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by the authors or publisher for the accuracy, content, or use thereof.
People are always asking me about things that they might need when they get a Cocker, so I thought I would jot
down some notes. I will add to it as I discover new things. Happy Shopping!
Here are the Mars strippers I have. The 3-pack saves you $.
http://www.groomersmall.com/coat_kings.htm#SpecialPacks
"Groomers 3-Pack" 1 - Coat-King #8
1 - Coat-King #20
1 - Double-Wide #18
Regular Retail - $101.25
Special Price - $90.00
Save $11.25
Groomers Mall has a good price on Andis clippers. Don't get the single speed because it doesn't go fast enough
to prevent blades from going dull. Andis AGC - Super 2 - Two Speed Clipper: 2 Speeds for extra power and
fast, smooth cutting. High speed is 25% faster for cutting heavy coats. #22340 $114.95
Here are the shots that I give;9N-6964 Vanguard Plus 5, 25 doses #9N-6964 $54.99
I give them at 5, 8, 11, and 16 weeks, then again at 6, 9, and 12 months. From there I go to yearly boosters. I do
not do Lepto until they are at least 4 months old because they can have a reaction to it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=1267&N=2001+113227
Here is what I use for fleas and ticks: Farnam Bio-Spot 3 Month-Dog $11.69 from www.dog.com
and Bio Spot Flea And Tick Mist w/Nylar 24 oz $11.29
The stores on eBay that I use for crates are:
http://stores.ebay.com/Demsond-Pet-Depot_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
and
http://stores.ebay.com/J-M-Exotics_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
and
http://stores.ebay.com/For-Happy-Dogs_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
and
http://stores.ebay.com/J-K-Pet-Supplies_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
How I put together my Whelping Kit
In my own experience, these are the things that I have needed when a girl goes into whelp. I do not claim to be
a vet or have had any formal training in veterinary science, I am simply listing the things that I use and why I
need them. If you are putting together your own kit, please feel free to copy my list as a starting point.
A METAL BOX TO KEEP EVERYTHING IN - I use what is called a "Housecleaning Box." It is a ceramic covered
metal box with a handle, a lift-off top tray, and a deep inside for the bigger items. The top tray keeps smaller
things organized and accessible for when I have a puppy in one hand and am reaching for something with the
other. Baskets fall apart and can't be sanitized, and plastic stains and breaks, so I stick with metal.
ASPIRATORS - I always have several of these on hand because I seem to put them down during the whelping
process and lose track of them or a few minutes. I get the kind that are soft rubber so I don't injure the back of
the puppy's throat or nose. You can find them in the children's health section of any drug store or discount
outlet like Wal-Mart or Target.
SEVERAL PAIR OF SCISSORS - I have duplicates for the same reason as above - I seem to put them down
without thinking when I am busy with a pup. I get the small, sharp, hair trimming ones. On a side note - if you
have to cut an umbilical cord with them, dip them in alcohol first, and make sure neither of the ends of the cit
are facing you or you could get squirted with blood.
A LARGE BOTTLE OF alcohol - I use this to sanitize everything, including my hands. Do NOT use hand sanitiser
if at all possible because often it has "smell good" chemicals in it.
INTIMATE LUBRICANT - yes, it is embarrassing to buy, and no, I don't get the one that warms on contact, but I
have this on hand for those emergency moments that I hope you never have. I have saved two girls trips to the
emergency C-Section room by having this on hand. Pups usually do not survive anything situation that
necessitates the use of a lubricant, so I just worry about getting the stuck puppy out and saving Mommy and
the other pups.
A PEN AND SMALL NOTE PAD WITH A HARD COVER - I use this to record the day and times of birth and the
weight of the puppies at birth.
SMALL PRODUCE SCALE - some places advertise a puppy scale, but I use a produce scale - cheaper and does
the same thing. I got mine on eBay and it has a tray with rolled edges that I can remove and clean.
BOX OF RAGS - I use everything from socks with hole in them to old towels. I cut them up into 2 x 2 feet or
smaller sections and keep them in an old laundry basket for whelping time. I don't have to worry about them
getting dirty, that greenish blackish stuff can stain, and I can keep Mom fairly clean throughout the process,
thereby keeping the pups more dry, thereby keep the whole litter more healthy.
SEVERAL HEATING PADS - I used to buy the ones especially for puppies, but they were not very big and did
not heat through the bottom of the plastic crate in which my girls have their pups. I now get the human ones
that have a dial, and keep it on low, or that have a digital readout that can be turned to a setting such as "always
on", and I only set it on level 2 out of 8. Most of the human heating pads now will turn off after a set amount of
time, and I don't want that.
JUST A NOTE: I have my Cocker girls give birth in large plastic flight crates - big enough for a St. Bernard - for
cleanliness' sake and because by putting a blanket over the top, I create a "den" for them so that they will not
be bothered and so that drafts will not kill the pups. With the heating pads underneath and the blanket on top,
the pups stay pink and healthy and moms feel safe. I do not move them to a grate bottomed wire crate until the
pups are walking. By that time moms are tired of keeping little ones clean anyway, and with the grate bottomed
crates that have pans underneath, they don't have to because I do it and everyone is happy.