New Puppy questions - 2 days old

[Cheekyteddy]

Firstly thank you to all that gave me the information that I needed when my shih tzu was first expecting. I got as much info as I could but you guys and the vet were a great support.

My little dog has had eight pups, she is a splendid mum. She is hungry all the time, the vet said to give her dry puppy food but she is not eating it. I am giving her cooked chicken which I am happy to do but should I let her go hungry to make her eat the kibble the vet thinks she should be having?

Thank you for your help.

Louise

[ruthann58]

will she eat the puppy food soaked or with a bit of gravy and some chicken mixed in, not surprised she is hungry all the time if she is feeding 8 pups, well done little dog have you tried mixing in scambled egg she might like that ,good luck, like you i find the people on her a great support, give her a cuddle from me. Ruth

[lankeela]

This is one time when you certainly should pander to her, as she needs good quality food to make enough milk for her puppies. Whilst your vet recommended 'dry' puppy food, I suspect he actually meant 'complete' puppy food, which I would suggest you feed soaked and add something tasty as ruthan suggested. It is higher in protein than adult food, and easier to digest. However, if she has never eaten complete food before then now is not the time to starve her into submission until she eats it! Feed her whatever you have to to make sure she gets enough to eat.
Try tasty things like pilchards in oil, raw tripe, minced beef and cooked chicken, eggs, even the cheap runny tinned dog food you get in supermarkets. Try introducing some complete food gradually, but if she really refuses then let her have what she wants.

I would also try to get some goats milk, which will at least get some goodness into her even if she is reluctant to eat much, and you can also use this to help wean the puppies.

[Cheekyteddy]

Thank you Lankeela.

I will try what you suggest. I am taking her to the vet today as well as she is so tired with so many pups. We were expecting 4 - 5 and the vet said she thought that is what Pebbles was carrying. However, as she has 8 she is losing weight and has a runny tum.

Is the goats milk ok to give undiluted>

Louise

[Cheekyteddy]

Hi laneeka

You seem quite knowledgeable. I have now officially been told by the vet that my dog has a uterine infection. She has got some antibiotics, some stuff to stop the runs and some hydration salts. She has also had oxytocin to help the uterus contract and expel anything that may remain.

Also the vet has given us some whelpi formula and a funny shaped bottle.

I have had one go at feeding some of the pups - we are just supplementing what the Mum is giving to help her out. Do you have any tips for doing this? I was a bit rubbish at it with the first although got better with the other 2 that i did, co ordination with my thumb over the end of the bottle to staunch the flow.

She may need a spaying but fingers crossed.

Louise

[lankeela]

Having the runs is quite normal, as they can pass the slimy afterbirths and the greeny discharge for a few days, although the oxytocin will help clear her out. The antibiotics will help clear up the infection. The goats milk can be given undiluted, its the nearest thing to bitches own milk. Try putting some porridge or weatabix in it if she will take it.

As for the bottle feeding, try to make sure the smaller more reluctant feeders (if there are any) get to the milk bar first, and bottle feed the good feeders. They can they go on the milk bar and get whats left. They are more likely to take to the bottle feeds, as they are greedy little so and so's!
Just lift the greedy ones out for a while and put them in a box with a blanket over a hot water bottle so the others can feed in peace.

Weigh the pups every day to make sure they are gaining weight, and keep a record, with a description of the pup so you know which is which.

Do try to bottle feed all of them at some point, as if she does have to go in to be spayed, she will be away from them for a time and if you have already got them taking from the bottle them it won't be so traumatic for them. She won't be able to feed them at first because she will be sore, and will also have the remains of the anaesthetic in her. You can hold them up for her to clean their botties though, as if she does not do this you will need to rub them gently with a warm damp flannel to stimulate them to go to the toilet after they have fed, as that is what the mother's tongue does.

Oh the joys of rearing a litter, these are the bits they don't tell you about!

[lankeela]

Meant to say, she will need a calcium supplement (Canovel in tablet form is a good one) as the pups will be taking so much out of her. If she does not get additional calcium she can suffer from eclampsia, where she may start to shiver, stagger about and even collapse. This is a real emergency and she will need to be taken to the vet immediately, as she could die, but an injection of calcium is like a miracle, she will recover in minutes. If your vet didn't mention this and give you some you can get it at any pet shop.

[lankeela]

Some tips for bottle feeding:

http://www.irishdogs.ie/Breeds/Information/Shi h%20Tzu/Bottle_Feeding_Orphan_Shih_Tzu_Puppies .htm

[Cheekyteddy]

thanks again lankeela. Sorry spelt your name wrong last time. have been trying to help Pebbles with her pups, with more success with some pups and less with others. In the morning I will try to separate 4 big ones before I do it like you suggest. What I did tonight and this morning as a compromise was to top all of them up every two hours! Funny enough the really big ones were not keen - from what you say I expect that is because they are full all ready!!

I have had a look at the website you gave the link to and it was reassuring so thank you for that also.

If I can stay awake long enough to look after my human child in the school hols and drive I will pick up some goats milk.

I value your support - no they don't tell you about this - but I had read about infections so I was on the ball thankfully and when she had 8 I had a feeling a bit of close bonding was going to take place between me and the pups!! lol

Louise

[Kleiber]

I've been following your post, Cheekyteddy - I wish you the best of luck with Pebbles and her puppies. Lankeela is very knowledgeable, isn't she? It's good for us all to have someone like that on here. K x

[Kleiber]

How are Pebbles & the babies?

[Cheekyteddy]

Hi there

Thanks for the interest. They are ok. One of the pups seems to have a hernia now!!!

It has all been much harder than I thought and I have been constantly worried for the last 11 days!!

Still I hope they will open their eyes soon and start solids and then hopefully I will worry less.

Louise