newborn puppy care help needed,?

Question

Ok, I've had a time with these pups because of the momma. down to 4 pups out of 11. Two of them are very healthy,fat and active while nursing, one is ok but needs to be better and the last one is having problems. Much skinner then the other 2, not much energy, not trying to nurse real hard, gives up nipple easily. I was thinking about trying a bit of bottle feeding on the 2 to get there energy back up to nursing. I don't have a real formula available but willing to try home made ones. I have to get up to nurse them anyway, cant leave mom with them at all, have to sit by her side and hold pups so adding the bottle isn't a big deal. I'd like to try and save these two if possible. Any suggestions, thoughts? Will bottle feeding help? Should I try the cornsyrup on the tongue trick? They stay in box w/heating pad unless feeding on mum. Born on St. Paddys day so only 4 days old. Mum cleans them. I'm trying to give them extra nipple time but they just don't try real hard! Thanks for any help!!

Answers to your answers: This is mums only (& unwanted, tresspassing loose dog is father) litter (3yrs old) and she hasen't a clue. She has never been the brightest bulb in the pack anyway! We must keep her seperated to protect the pups (she still isnt careful). she has gotten into the hang of when I sit down of the floor she will laydown so I can hold/help the pups. But you cant turn your back on her cause she will lay on them and not move.She isnt aggressive just NOT a good mommy! I just gave the two a tiny bit of the corn syrup and both perked up to take it. I dont think bottles will be a problem. The 1's that died were either still born or she squashed them. I'm trying everything I can to save them all. I will see what I can find in the stores to give them. I am trying to nurse them more often. I've got puppy food for mum and mixing canned in to help milk production. Thanks very much for your help and thoughts! I feel so bad about the ones we couldn't save.

Answer 1

Please don't listen to anyone who berates you for something that has already happened.

Please contact a vet today, and take them in. That would be number one. Or call, and ask them for a formula you can make at home tonight or pick up if you can go out.

Try adding a little honey and a little butter to some cream (no non fat or margarine) and warm it up just to body temperature and then bottle feed. Or, try dropping some from a finger tip into their tongues. That might get them tempted, jump start their hunger.

And, bottle feeding would be fine. Perhaps their tummies need to be massaged, so they can digest but also to help them eliminate what they already have inside. Massage very gently until they piddle and maybe the empty bladder will let them nurse more comfortably. Sometimes things get stopped up.

If you don't have a vet, do call the humane society or a rescue webssite for your breed.

PS some puppies do not take well to dairy but some do, so watch them carefully after they eat. Any food that exits any oriface abnormally means they are getting dehydrated and it would be time to take them into the vet.

Answer 2

Did mom and dad both have OFA's done to make sure your puppies will have lifetime structural health? The best advice you will ever get is from the person who bred your dogs. And I would not be putting alot of confidence in a vet that told you your girl was not pregnant and then she went on to deliver 11 pups. they look huge a week before they deliver. In fact, at just about 5 to 6 weeks they really show. I would limit visits from dad to when you are around and can monitor everything. Young pups do not have enough manners to keep from getting nipped (through no fault of their own) until they are at least 3 to 4 months old. Because I am intimately involved in rescue, I hope that you have contracts for the puppy buyers, and that you are going to be willing to take any of them back, which happens often, should the buyers not be able to keep them.

Answer 3

I would certainly try bottle feeding, but you may get the same result. He may not eat.

As much as I love dogs, unfortunately, some puppies are not that healthy. A puppy without an appetite signals a puppy that isn't healthy. If he is losing weight, it may be something serious. This is bad news, and I hate to say it, but the little fella may not make it, especially if he is much thinner than his siblings.

You sound like you are doing everything you can, and I admire you. Hopefully, your love will make the difference.

Answer 4

some are just not very aggressive and aren't big eaters but I wouldn't worry if he's getting some nipple time. He probably won't be too receptive to the bottle feeding so give it a little time. When the other pups are sleeping sneak him into mom's nipple, maybe he will maybe he won't nurse but every little bit keeps them developing. Don't take him away from the brood, the pup needs mom to stimulate his bodily excretions and keeps him clean, otherwise it's up to you and it's not easy. Our pups were born on Nov. 6, the runt is no longer a runt and is still little but very healthy and very playful. If you really think the pup is unhealthy, take him to see the vet for a healthy puppy check-up...a little professional advise always makes you feel better about what you're doing.

Good Luck

Answer 5

My dog had 10 pups so we bought some bottle feeding. but they never really needed it. They dint really like it at all.
What we need then is with the smallers ones when everbody was waking about, we would hold the big pups and put the smalls pups by the nipple. And even when they were all awake we did the same thing. jsut make sure they get ingouh milk. call your vet for more information about it.

Answer 6

Is the mother still accidentally smothering them yet? (per your last question) I would suggest you call the vet and get an appointment for the mom and pups if it is still a bad situation which it sounds like it is. If you can not get to a vet tonight, go to the farm supply store, Wal-mart or wherever and get a couple cans of puppy milk replacer. Feed according to the directions until you can get your pups to the vet.

Answer 7

Congrats! First thing you might want to do is call the vet and let him know the situation. The vet will let you know what options to take. You could probably bottle feed them, but a special formula for puppies would be needed.

Answer 8

Yes try the bottle feeding. Have a family member go to PetMart or PetCo and get the replacement milk and a few bottles. Keep the pups warm with the heating pad set on low with a towel on top of the heating pad.
Your doing the best you can, thats all you can do.

Answer 9

It looks like you will need to feed them with a bottle or a tube attached to the plastic part of a needle, the tube will be attached to the place where the metal part of the needle would usually be. There are 10 recipes and other recipes on the first link below. There is a picture on the second site of the tube feed thing I was talking about.

Answer 10

Try the corn syrup or even Gatorade. You can also get puppy milk replacer at some grocery stores or if there's a feed store they'll have it for sure. Hope they make it.