I faced this same problem. I found it extremely difficult to feed through any puppy bottles as well. I used an eye dropper and it worked much better, however, a very small drop to the hair on the mouth and they will lick it. Eventually they will suck the eye dropper. I also kept some Nutracal on hand if they seemed weak, but you have to feed them after nutracal. I would just give about the same amount as the end of a matchstick to the weak puppy. He would perk up and then I would feed him. The puppies that looked active would nurse first. I was terrified that they would aspirate to their lungs when I was feeding them. As they get bigger, a premie nipple from your hospital's nursey will work much better, the blue ones for neonatal.
Just as an aside, my vet told me that our female was drying up. I had him give her fluids subq, we did this 6 times over two weeks because she would not drink and it worked. Moms must be hydrated and eat well to produce milk just like humans. I would put the puppies on the nipple and let then suck for 10- 15 minutes to stimulate her milk production then I would supplement with Esbilac. I put the best suckers on the teets that were drying up and the runts towards the back where there was more milk. I found that vets just like doctors are quick to throw in the towel on nursing. After all, they do not have to feed those puppies. Frankly, I do not think that they know alot about whelping and nursing. Breeders tend to know alot more than my vet anyway. I hope that they also told you that the puppies must poop after feeding and that requires a warm wet rag rubbed on their behinds to stimulate a bowel movement. Just like Mom. Hope this info helps. |