For the breeders: 17 day old puppy swollowed 1-2 kibbles from moms bowl?

Question

This adventurous little girl made her way into moms food bowl and swollowed 1-2 kibbles. Can her system deal with that, or should I schedule a vet app. Thanks lots

Answer 1

She should be OK, but I would just watch her to make sure. One of the biggest problems is that she wouldn't be able to chew it well and consequently choke. If she swallowed it OK, then the next issue would be whether she can digest it. One or two kibbles will probably not hurt her, but watch for regurgitation or vomiting because it could be a choking hazard.

Answer 2

She's fine. At 17 days her eyes are open and she's mobile. There is always one that does things first, she's it for this litter. Keep an eye on her but she'll be fine. Try not to let her do it again till she's into her 4th week.

Answer 3

She should be fine. The biggest issue with dry kibble (after choking) is that it can cause constipation in a young pup's system. Please make sure she nurses a LOT.

Answer 4

She should be okay. Its a small amount. You should be starting to try her out on solid food around week three anyways.

Just feed the mom completely separate from the pups when feeding from now on to keep this from happening again.

Answer 5

If she is breathing fine, can do her puppy 'yelp,' and acts normal, just keep an eye on her.

I'd encourage a little more nursing and a spoon of Yogart to get a few more fluids in.

By 3 to 3-1/2 weeks, do your breeder studying and make the pups a pasty gruel and feed small amounts 3 times a day, increasing the amount and 5 times a day by 5 weeks. I put probiotics in mine, yogart just isn't enough to get good and bad bacteria in.

As you feed and increase the feeding, you can make the gruel less watery and go to lightly soaked kibble. Don't let the pups get roly poly. You do not want big bellies, just little round ones. Over-eating is not good..... and can cause diarrhea plus it makes it harder to control the number of stools. Watch for the more aggressive eaters and you may have to separate to keep them from getting too much and to make sure the others get their share.

I * love * the 'flying saucer ' feeding pans - you can get them from pet supply catalogs such as Jeffers, Pet Edge, Foster & Smith, etc.

At 4-1/2 weeks, I put a t-shirt ( or baby shirt on if its a toy) and pull it tight along the belly by fastening the back with baby diaper pins. This is to keep the pups off Mom. I allow nursing at night - IF Mom wants to - and then only morning and night by 5 weeks...... this is to prevent mastitis and to start drying her up.

It is important that you check morning and night for masititis as a blow out of a nipple from abscess is horrible.

At 5 weeks, I take Mom away sight and sound except for short visits. At this time, pups are playing with another older family member. If Mom is out of hearing and sight, she will produce less milk.

Mom is put on strict, strict diet of 1/2 cup food in a.m. and 1 cup in p.m. -
whereas normal is 3 cups and while nursing, lots of cups.... sometimes 4 feedings a day because the amount is too much for 1 or 2 feedings and this keeps her blood sugar more level.

This fast cut-back for at least 7 to 10 days will dry Mom up quickly. Once she is definitely dry or almost ( pull a nipple gently to see ) put the shirt back on her and let her be a Mom and help 6 to 7 week old pups establish their own pack and learn that biting your brother or sister puppy will get Pup in trouble and bit back. Pups will learn how to not hurt each other and play and extend this to humans. Those Teeth are sharp !

Now is the time to teach pups No, and start saying Pups, Come! esp. at feeding time.

Talk to your veterinarian, but most folks worm their pups at 4 weeks and again before they leave at about 7 to 8 weeks. Most times, because of the stress on the Mom can break dormant eggs off inside her system, I worm Mom, too. I watch the pups' poops for 2 days after they are wormed to see if they pass anything.

Start grooming the pups toenails while little and you can control them or have someone help you hold them to make it a good experience. I let them get used to the noise of the Dremel and having their feet and toes held and played with.

I put the Dremel in the whelping box with me and sometimes elevated so ensure the rascals don't make a grab at the twirling end.

I start with a nip of the ends of the toenails, using human toenail clippers and let them hear the Dremel running. I do this everyday. It does not take long. Sometimes, I will brush the end of the nail with an emory board until they get used to the Dremel.

Next, the fine sander is touched to the tip of the nail to buff it off smooth and - no more scratchy !

I also cut back feedings at age 7 weeks to start housebreaking. Pups usually poop when they wake up and about 15 min to 1 hour after eating. They will pee about every hour while playing. Since I know this, I know to keep a closer watch to put pups on the paper or outside.

By this time, the whelping box is divided in half. The whole box is papered with 'end roll paper' from the newspaper printer, but bed is on half, and extra paper on the other side with 2 small bits of urine paper down. Their water pail is clipped on the side of the whelping box high enough they can't climb in and the double ended clip keeps them from turning it over.

Bulldog, Frenchies, Bostons, etc. are at this time learning to use the roller bottles to learn to drink. ( We don't have these but do show them sometimes.)

First thing in the morning, my pups are rushed outside. They are watched to make sure 8 pups make 8 little puppy poops and the poops are healthy. If I need to, if the pups cry, I'll get up at 3 a.m to let them go then and keep the house dark, queing them that it is still night time. They don't want to make a mistake and ignoring this cry tells them you don't care if they poop on the paper in the whelping box.

Also, females - on occasion - will get a urinary tract infection. If you see one peeing as frequently as every 5 to 15 minutes that is your clue.

I'd go back and review your breeding and whelping info. You will feel more confident that you are doing right. Also, call your breeder mentor or your veterinarian - your Best bets for correct information !