Please help = (

[lovelilly]

I am disappointed in myself for even having to be on this site. But, you all helped me pick my puppies and helped with their first year of life... I trust you all so much.
We wanted to breed in the future and I was slowly learning all I need to know... but our dogs somehow came together despite our best efforts. We thought we had them separated and we purchased belly bands for the male...but he must have gotten them free because we have a new puppy born today.
I am not here for judgement. We know we didn't do the best job...but I am here to make up for it. I want this little girl to have the best life with us...and the best care.
That being said... my female was at first terrified of the puppy. There was two... one did not make it. The little girl that did is 3oz and according to the vet check to day - perfect in every way. She has a strong desire to suck and she gets on there very well. She is eating great. The mama will lay down with us as long as we are there and let the puppy eat. However, she is not affectionate. She hasn't really sniffed her and hasn't licked her once. She has gone from being scared to being a little annoyed. But, eating is the most important thing and she is doing that.
I have a heating pad on low and the mommy lays behind it because I have noticed it bothers her. The puppy is very warm and wiggly. She is active and seems extremely strong.

My question is this. After I take the mommy out to go potty she comes back and trys to cover up the puppy with a blanket by useing a forceful motion with her nose. But once she thinks it is fairly covered she leaves. If I pick her up and lay her next to the baby she is fine. Why would she continue to do this. This is her first liter and I don't trust her alone with the baby. My husband and I take turns laying next to the bed to observe mommy.

Should I be concerned? I am following everything the vet told me to do and so far so good. We did purchase a bottle to supplement but it seems like she is getting more than her fair share being that she is the only puppy.

I just want to do everything right. God brought this little girl into our lives and she is apart of our family. Please help me. I know you guys are the best. Thank you in advance!!

[Sugar's Mom]

just watch your mama very closely. some kill their babies. sounds like you are trying very hard and are doing good with your baby. now you have learned a great lesson. Belly bands donot work. i put one on ceeby once just so he could play awhile. one of the girls was in heat and he started humping her. Thank goodness, I saw him and snatched him up before he entered her but his pee wee was wayyyyyyy out of that belly band. For future reference also. crating one and leaving the other even in the same room doesn't work either. They will do it thru the crate. don't be too hard on yourself. you were trying and still learning. let this be a learning experience. Sounds like you have a good vet. sorry your other little one didn't make it.

[sweetr72]

Congrats on the lil girl...sorry your other one didnt make it. I for one am not here to judge you, you sound like you are doing the very best that you can do!! I wish I could help you out but I have never had a litter before. When was the baby born? Im sure if its her first litter her reaction might be pretty common. Maybe in a few days her instincts will kick in?? Sorry I am not much help but good luck!!

Dawn

[YorkieShadow]

Hi Im sorry you lost one of the baby's. Congrats to the little girl.
Do you have the puppy laying right on top of the heating pad? If so it may be to warm ....We always covered ours up and then had the mommy and pups on top or put the pad under the whelping box. Do you have a lot of lights on in the room where mommy and baby are? Most Mommys like very little light. I would just keep making sure the baby is feeding and gaining and keep an eye on The baby and Mommy like you have been doing. Good Luck.

[lovelilly]

Thank you so much for your kind words. We are headed into night one and I just want everyone to be safe. My husband and I are taking turns checking on mom and pup. I just don't trust mom to be alone with her while we are not right there watching. I have mommy in a kennel next to the little box we made for the puppy. The heating pad is under the box on low and their is a very soft and warm blanket for the puppy. She seems very warm and happy. I am going to get up about every hour (husband rotating) and lay mom with baby and let her feed and snuggle up. I have the blanket with baby smelling like mom and the blanket with mom smelling like baby. They are both in our bedroom and I think I am going to keep it that way until I see some major improvements...it might be awhile. I figure it is just like having my own newborn. I am a mommy myself and actually pregnant myself so I feel like I have a good mommy sense about me.
Again I would appreciate any advice. Thank you soooo much for being there in our baby girls time of need.

[Jaxx]

If the mom is not licking the puppy to stimulate her to go to the bathroom, you will need to use a wet cotton ball and gently stroke the tummy and the bottom about every 4-6 hours..
Newborns stomaches won't digest food and eliminate without this.
Try to get Lily to lick puppy by putting something on the puppy, sometimes a little water works.
Her trying to cover or push it out of the bed shows that she thinks it does not belong, and she wants to get rid of it. Watch her carefully so she doesn't. If you can get her to licking it that helps her accept it.
Good luck. If you have a scale that measures in metric grams it is a easy way to see if it is getting enough milk and is gaining weight.

[Susan123]

be sure to use warm water for the cotton ball on the bottom, a simple gentle finger massage should suffice for the tummy. Last thing you want is for this puppy is to get chilled. A small smear (or more) of peanut butter or karo syrup may entice the mom to lick.

[lovelilly]

We did it! We made it through the night = )

I was so proud of our little puppy...she cried almost like a little clock to eat! She is nursing so well. She seems to get stronger and more active by the minute.

Thank you for all of the suggestions. The vet told us about helping her pee and poop. She has peed three times that I have seen and she has pooped five times since birth. That cotton ball works like a charm...but she has also pooped on her own = ) I am so happy because I know she is getting something when she is nursing. I am going to weigh her today...I have a postage scale.

Mom is still hesitant around her. I put a small smear of Nutrical and mom did lick that off baby but when it was gone... mom was done. Again, she will lay there and nurse if I am there to hold her and pet her. I kept puppy alone in the box last night that sat on the heating pad she seemed okay with that... but I felt bad for her because I felt like she was lonley. Any suggestions?? I put a small stuff animal in there for her to cuddle against... but my heart just breaks that she doesn't have mom or siblings to snuggle with = (

[Susan123]

Awe! sounds like you're doing a great job! Just keep doing what you're doing. I've heard that sometimes you can give them a tums (with calcium) and it can help kick in their maternal instincts (not that they're really low in calcium, but it can't hurt, unless you give like 5) Or try cottage cheese, yogurt, or vanilla ice cream, can't hurt after whelping they need it. Keep putting her to mom and petting her like you're doing, she's going to warm up. Great idea to put a stuffed animal in there.
Best wishes,
Susan

[JeanieK]

Congratulations on your new baby. If Mom is very young it just might take her a while. It's like a teenager having a baby. I wish you the best of luck.

[lovelilly]

Thanks again. We are doing our very best = )

Someone mentioned something about something I could purchase on the internet that can be heated in the microwave and stay warm for 12 hours. I wonder if the pup would like that better. She seems to want to cuddle. But, now I can for the life of me find that thread! Thanks!!

[feminvstr]

if mom wont cuddle her place a small stuffed animal in the bed with them for her to nuzzle with, that sometimes will give comfort. Also a fleece baby blanket cut it in 1/4's and only use one at a time so mom has something to dig or nest on and the pup has something else to keep warm, anything larger she can bury the pup and it may suffocate.

Congrats on the baby...all the best

[lovelilly]

Yeah! Our little one pooped and peed for me again with no problem. And her poop changed color from that black stuff to mustard color. I know with human babies that is a good sign her system is working...is that the same for dogs! I am so pleased that she is such a fighter = )

[Little Bit]

The microwaved warmer you can buy is called Cuddle Safe. You still have to be careful though, they can burn. Make sure is it well covered and not too hot. As an alternative you can take an old sock and put rice in and tie a knot at the top of it (to hold the rice in) and microwave it until it is is hot. This will hold heat for awhile also. As with the other make sure it is not too hot and is securely covered to prevent burning. It should be good for an hour or two.

[21sunshine]

Congrats~ nice to hear a good happy story for a change! I amsoooo happy for your new addition to the family`