How can I ween pups from breast milk...?

Question

Yesterday, I had to rush my 5 year old yorkie to the emergency vet because she couldn't walk (very wobbly and falling over). Her body was very low on calcium. She only weighs about 4 lbs. (her natural weight) and had 4 pups almost 7 weeks ago. The pups are growing rapidly and depleting all the calcium from moms body. I had been trying to find ways to start them on puppy food but they are more interested in breast milk. After yesterdays incident, I don't have a choice. I have had to separate mom from pups (pups are in a crate). They are eating the puppy food, but barely. Is it wrong to separate them this way? Will they be okay? Could they be suffering from separation anxiety?

If you're not going to answer my question, then move the f*** on! Obviously if I had remembered to ask I woudn't be here. I was afraid for her life yesterday. Now she's better and I have questions. What is it to you Guru??

Answer 1

You can mix together puppy milk replacement formula like Esbilac to moistened/mushed/warm puppy food and mix it all together to make like a gruel (kinda like really wet oatmeal). Place this in a large low/flat non-tippy container (like a small glass or ceramic kitchen plate) near where they are kept so they have access to it, along with another large flat/low non-tippy container of fresh, clean water. Every four hours go in and throw away the old gruel, clean & refill the plate with fresh new gruel and add fresh water to the water plate. Keep these plates down all the time and let the puppies eat/drink at will throughout the day & night.

The puppies will make a mess as they crawl through the plates, so expect that; I'd suggest placing both plates on some newspaper for easier/quicker clean up. Also, be sure to monitor all the puppies to make sure they're getting enough to eat...whether they're still nursing or starting to eat gruel.

If you notice any puppy falling behind, growing listless or unable to eat, you must bottle feed it until it learns how to eat on its own. Again, you can go to any pet store and they'll have specialized powdered milk that's formulated just for puppies and you can get puppy feeding bottles there, as well. I've found that syringes (without any needles, of course) work well for feeding smaller mouthed newborn pups & kittens than bottles do, and you can get several of those from your vet; just find out what works for you and your babes.

At 7 weeks old, you should be sure all puppies are eating the gruel well and growing, getting fatter; if not, you'll need to bottle feed or supplement your smaller puppies with the powdered milk formula AT LEAST every 3-4 hours throughout the day/night. Once they get used to eating the gruel and drinking water well, you can start putting less water into the gruel mixture and start adding some dry pieces as well in another plate to get them used to chewing and becoming fully weaned.

I would still allow the momma dog to come and lay with the puppies to continue stimulating them to go to the bathroom and lick and bond with them, as quick separation from them can cause her emotional harm...especially if she can still hear them cry, smell their scent, and she knows they're still there. I'd try monitoring her with the puppies so they spend about at least an hour every three or four hours together...that will encourage the pups to find food on their own and start eating the gruel, too, yet still maintain your Momma dog's emotional health and the bond with her pups.

Young pups can be a handful, so be sure to get some help feeding around the clock if you need it until they're up to speed and eating without any problems. Good luck & have fun!

Answer 2

Goats milk is a good alternative to mother's milk. It is much easier on their stomaches than cow milk. A good way to wean them off of milk is to make a slurry of dry puppy food and goats milk. Soak the kibble in the milk for an hour or so, then mash it up with a fork or even a blender. Using milk in with the food will make it more familiar to them and will also help their digestive system make the adjustment over to puppy food. You want to start with a lot of milk and a little kibble (7 weeks they're ready to start eating solid food) and over the period of 1-2 weeks make the transition by gradually using less milk and more kibble until they are eating dry food normally. The first batch should have the consistancy of runny oat meal, the last should be more like cereal.

The milk sold in pet stores is a reasonable alternative if you can't find goats milk at your grocery store. Esiblac also makes a puppy formula based on goats milk. (esiblac is a brand of puppy formula sold at most pet stores)

Answer 3

try feeding them milk in a bowl (warm it up a little but not too hot). I used to get them to drink the milk by putting my hand down in the bowl palm up with the fingertips sticking out of the milk a little bit (kinda like teats) they will try to get your fingers and end up drinking the milk. Once they get a taste of it they will know its good and should start drinking it. When you have them drinking the milk start putting puppy food in a little at a time...let the milk soften it a bit. gradually decrease the milk and increase the puppy chow. I have done this. It takes a little patience but it worked for me.
Good luck :)

Answer 4

You can buy milk for the puppies at a pet store. And bottles. Feed them on a bottle for a few more weeks. (Call the vet for how long.) Have patience, it will be difficult. Good luck. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Try the Puppy milk found at petstores. Take mom awway and put the pups somewhere else..

Answer 6

I breed dogs, the pups will be fine. You should start the pups and wet can food. they will like it better than the milk. if that doesn't work try getting biscuit and get them moist in water and give it to them. they will be fine don't worry. just sit back, relax and enjoy the money you will make with those pups.

Answer 7

Didn't you ask the vet these questions yesterday? Why pay money for an emergency vet and then not have them answer all of your questions?