Melanie,
First, take a deep breath and take care of you first. I am talking from experience (Lexie just had 7 puppies on 7.17.07) First, the Mommy(Pheboe). Yes she has a big litter, but she can do it. I had them feed in shifts. I had colored ties on each and I out the girls on to feed first then the boys, and on the next feeding did it the opposite way. I had to stay right there with Lexie, sometimes laying down on the floor and cuddling her for her do do the extra long feedings, but she always did them. I continued to give Lex extra meals, and special meals of cottage cheese mixed in her dry food, yogurt, and the whelping pudding through the 4th week of having the babies. I also did but the calcuim suppliment "Calsorb" and gave 1ml in the mornig and evening to Lexie mixed in food.. The puppies: I weigh the puppies and keep track of their gains. If you see one stay the same or gaining slower then the rest, suppliment. Get the puppy suppliment from the Petstore and slowly squirt the suppliment from a syring into the front of the puppies mouth and have rest fall into your cupped hand and the puppy will lap it up. I started giving very watery gruel to all the puppies this way at 3 weeks, and it is very messy, and time consuming, but the puppies will not only be getting more food, but the one on one attention that they need for socialization. I was also discouraged by some that said that not all in the litter would survive or do well, but that is not true. All of Lexie's puppies are now 5 weeks and all are good weight (from 1 lb to 1 lb 16 oz). If you ever need me, I will PM you my phone number and you can call me anytime for help. This is Lexie's 3rd big litter and I continue to have success with them. Please do NOT get discouraged. i am here (as well as others) for you. Please do not hesitate to call me!! |