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Originally Posted by bjh  Mary, I have not had to supplement puppies very often but when I did I used a eye dropper and I let them take it in very slow. What is the down side of using a dropper? I know you have to be careful not to let them take it too fast or they will get it in their lungs. When you use the preemie nipple do you still worry about choking? I know the suckling action is important but if you are just supplementing a little does it matter? I am been so lucky that I have never had to hand raise a litter. What are your thoughts on tube feeding? It scares me. Just wondering your thoughts on this. |
If you've had success with the dropper, fine. I found it a bit slow and tedious. Where as the nipple does allow sucking reflexes to take place (very important). I usually just plunge in a small amount into the nipple and allow them to suckle. Plus it allows you to measure the amount of milk being taken and document it. Great for communicating with the vets. The litter I was hand raising, just before they were introduced to lapping, were taking in 60 - 65 cc each.....piggies.
I've not every tube fed, and when I suggested it to my vet, (now mind you I took over hand raising of these pups when they were a week old) he was adamantly against it. Just to risky, with the possibility of inserting it incorrectly .