Newborn puppies should not be crying a lot. Is it to warm or to cold in their whelping box? Years ago before I started using the bottomless whelping boxes I would be woke up a lot during the night because the pups would get lost under the bedding and not able to get to momma, could that be happening? Or is the momma leaving the box during the night? Puppies sense when the momma is not near and they will cry if she gets out of the box. It is common for the mommas to pant off and on after having puppies. The milk production makes them hot. You want to make sure the room temperature is not too hot for the momma though because that can cause her to make less milk.
A round belly does not necessarily mean they are getting enough. If the belly seems big but the rest of the puppy is skinny then the pup could have bloating problems. The best way to tell if they are gaining would be to weigh them daily. If the puppy is not latching on then it could have a cleft palate. Try to encourage the puppy to eat and make sure it is able to suck out milk from the mom.
You should be giving the momma a calcium supplement twice a day in addition to feeding her about 4 times a day.
It is normal for the momma to lick the puppies a lot. She will lick their bottoms to stimulate them to pee and poop.
How many hours a day are you leaving her and the puppies alone while you work? I hope it is not to long. A lot of things could happen.
Has she been to the vet for a checkup since the pups were born? Have you taken mommas temperature. Please monitor her temperature because sometimes they can get a uterus infection after having puppies. Also watch her breasts, if they start getting hard or swollen she will need to be on antibiotics. |