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02-15-2008, 05:48 AM | #1 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| Litters are smaller--got any answers? Hi fellow breeders---I have a question for you. I have 4 breeding Yorkie females and 2 breeding Papillon females. I switched their food about 9 months ago to Nutro from Science Diet. Since then the Yorkies litters have all reduced significantly. Girls that had 4-5 each litter, have had 1 & 2 per litter. These are with 2 different studs of mine. The Papillons still continue to have 4-5 as they did before. Got any ideas--could it be the food? Anyone run into this? Thanks Jill
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
Welcome Guest! | |
02-15-2008, 06:19 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,432
| I just responded in your thread in general, but I'll answer again here. Nutro is high in Glucosamine. There have been no long term test to determine if this is safe to include in the diet of a prego/nursing female. The liquid form even has that warning printed on the side. Not saying this is the case, but it's something to think about. |
02-15-2008, 06:22 AM | #3 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| ok, so you think that there is a possibility that high levels of glucosomine could be the reason? What do you feed yours? I have 2 girls that have always had 4-5 per litter and now they are having 1 &2. Doesnt make sense to me. Thanks for responding.
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
02-15-2008, 06:41 AM | #4 | |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,432
| Quote:
Mine eats limited amounts in her diet, but is taken off of it months in advance of preparing to breed. I feed a mixture of several foods, homecooked and supplements to mine. And then swap to more protein w/ supplements during the pre/post prego periods. But, that is what I have found works for MINE--it may not be the best option for yours as every dog is different. I would recommend seeking the advice of a canine nutritionist (especially since you are breeding) that can help you tackle the needs of your girls individually. | |
02-15-2008, 06:52 AM | #5 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| Thanks for your input!!
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
02-15-2008, 07:07 AM | #6 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida
Posts: 8,577
| pups How old are your Yorkie bitches? How many litters have they had...do you skip heat, do you use the males? |
02-15-2008, 07:12 AM | #7 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| They are 3 1/2 years old and I usually breed them twice and then skip a heat. I use my males who are 3 and 4 years old.
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
02-15-2008, 07:13 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida
Posts: 3,436
| I really do not know the answer to this and I know this is totally off subject but I have been looking at Papillons for a little while now and I see you are breeding them. Do you have a website or pictures of your pups?
__________________ Caren, mommy to Murphy and Mia Murphy WUVS his girlfriend Trixie |
02-15-2008, 07:15 AM | #9 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| Yes I do and I have 2 Papillon males available right now. I don't know if I am allowed to publish it on here, but will PM you with it.
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
02-15-2008, 07:16 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida
Posts: 3,436
| Awesome..thanks!!
__________________ Caren, mommy to Murphy and Mia Murphy WUVS his girlfriend Trixie |
02-15-2008, 07:56 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 7,959
| How long were they on Science Diet? I would never feed Science Diet to any dog, especially those used for breeding. Most all the Science Diet has soy in it and soy has been linked to reproductive problems. My in-laws that raised Border Collies were feeding a dog food with soy and their females hardly ever came in heat. What brand of Nutro are you feeding? My personal opinion is that Nutro is not a very quality food either. I know some of the Nutro has soybean oil. I really recommend you get your dogs on a quality dog food (no corn and no soy). Here is some information on the dangers of soy: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/soy.htm Now it is possible that this has nothing to do with diet and maybe just the timing of your breedings. How old are the females you are talking about? Some females as they get older starting releasing their eggs later in their cycle. So say your are breeding on the 9th, 11th and 13th days and she releases her eggs say on the 16th day then it is possible to miss her. I hope this was helpful, there are no simple answers. |
02-15-2008, 09:11 AM | #12 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 671
| My girls are about 3 1/2 years old they were on Science Diet until they were about 2 1/2 and always had good healthy litters of 4-5. Thanks for all your help.
__________________ Have a great day!! Jill (LittleBits Mom) |
02-15-2008, 09:34 AM | #13 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott City, Missouri
Posts: 1,879
| Maybe your girls are producing less eggs.... could be the reason for smaller litters. My Lucy used to produre 4 pups per litter... then she producing 2 in a few litters... I had her spayed at 5 years old... the vet said she had cysts on one of her ovaries (nothing dangerous)... he said her breeding days would have been over soon anyway... even if I didn't have her spayed when I did.
__________________ Joanne Gurley's Yorkies |
02-15-2008, 10:28 AM | #14 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 462
| I support feeding Science Diet to my 4 doggies. I see many cases on here of different stomach problems. "Knock on wood", in 3 years, I have not had one single doggie with diarrhea from feeding. I haven't had any hypoglycemia. They each get a Pedigree Marrow Bone for breakfast, Science Diet Small Bites (Puppy or Adult) in the evening, and a rawhide type treat after their last evening outside potty break. I did try a couple of the supposedly higher quality feeds, giving them 7 to 14 days trial, and just didn't like any of the side effects, worst being that their energy levels slowed down. Even my pups get crushed Science Diet Puppy as a supplement, when the mom starts weaning them (usually around 4 to 5 weeks). Hope I don't go home and find them all sick!
__________________ Unto Others As You Would |
02-15-2008, 11:41 AM | #15 |
Little Boogers Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: virginia beach, va
Posts: 4,460
| sometimes this happens. i would not think the food would make any difference in how the eggs attach to the uterus. it appears to me it is the timing. i would have an ovualtion test next time and maybe you will see a difference. dogs don't always produce the same amount of litters each time as some people might think. i have always used science diet small bites.
__________________ lisa lisa and the cult jam yorkies Last edited by lisatodd; 02-15-2008 at 11:43 AM. |
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