Preparing for a C-section for your pregnant dog requires careful planning and the right supplies. To help ensure a smooth process, consider this comprehensive list of essential items to take with you.
Pet C-Section: Items For Travel
- Cell phone
- Tarp, shower curtain, or vinyl tablecloth to cover the seats or floor of the car
- Crate large enough for the pregnant bitch to travel in
- Large Vari-Kennel crate with top ½ removed, which easily gives you access to the bitch or preferred a baby pool
- 3 Blankets for inside crate or pool. One for the way down, then a clean one for the return home and a smaller one that will go on top of the heating pad. So the heating pad is between the blankets. Or you can use large towels I cover the bitch and puppies with a large towel on the return home everything covered except the bitches head so there are no drafts on the puppies, or you can clip a towel over most of the crate, allowing room for easy access if needed
- Heating pad – take two, one for the crate/pool for the return ride home and one for in the basket. Don’t forget the adapter to plug into
- Hot water bottle – take one just in case something happens and the heating pads don’t work
- Plastic laundry basket – to use after puppies are cleaned up and getting ready to leave the clinic
- Towels – plenty of them!! Hand towels and full size bath size towels
- Small garbage bag
- Paper towels
- Kleenex – especially good for pooping puppies
- Water
- Water dish for bitch, and or a squirt bottle of water
- Cooler
- Ice (I bring ice just in case you have a bleeding dew claw) or Quick-Stop or Antiseptic powder, or all of the above
- Normal first aid kit
Thanks to Dr. Marty Greer for sharing this valuable content from her Breeder’s Library
Her book “Canine Reproduction & Neonatology” is invaluable to breeders and is available on Amazon.