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Originally Posted by belindaY  One of the puppies I'm currently hand feeding has been very fussy this morning--cries and belly seems hard to me. |She nursed very enthusiastically on the bottle at 2AM but refused it at 6AM. I have put her on her mother and she nurses well there, then resumes the crying and whining as soon as she's removed from Mom. We have vet appointment later today, but I'd like to hear from anyone who might have an idea what's going on. |
Hello BelindaY, I had to start hand raising 4 babies as of Fri. a.m. due to complications of eclampsia with my girl. This was my first litter, so I was thankful that I had researched complications, and knew the signs otherwise my Lucy would have died. I found her shaking and shivering, unable to stand at 3 am in the morning. Our babies were 4 days old and around 9oz. each (yes, bigger and enthusiastic nursers from Mommma). I was frantic the first day trying to hand feed with the little bottle from the vet. I ended up buying Dr. Browns human bottles which have an antigas valve, and a smaller (in terms of human nipples), very soft nipple. As of today, (day 2), they are used to it although we have to be careful and keep them upright to feed and watch their suckling closely to avoid aspiration. What I think may be going on with your puppies is gas probably; possibly need to poop and pee. I make sure I burp the pups after feeding. Just like a human baby, sometimes this isn't the easiest. I've found that after patting them while upright on my chest, on their sides and top of their back if that doesn't work, I gently hold them with my hands over their back, decend them back a bit and then back up, like you would do with a human baby, pat a little more and I've gotten a burp. I find when I know a pup has a full belly of food and continues to cry / whine... they have an air bubble and I have more work to do. They settle down as soon as I get a burp from them. I have also found when I am having difficulty getting one to urinate, with stimulating Momma licking, rubbing their anus in a circular motion, stimulates urination too. My pups draw their legs up and urination starts and flows ! Urine and poop has never made me happier, or hearing a burp !! I'm no expert and this is my first breeding, but I had to be a fast learner. My background is in human medicine, rather than canine ! Momma is heartbroken and not eating like she should as she can't feed her babies. She was amazing for the 3 days she was able to nurse them. I shed some tears over watching her cry wanting to do it. This has been so heartbreaking, rather than my lack of sleep ! My vet suggested the baby clothing to fit her which covers her teats. He also recommended a comfort collar which emites pheromes and calms my girl. This is actually working ! She is getting a quarter tab of chewable OsCal to keep her calcium in check even though she can't nurse them. Soon I hope to post my full story on the whole eclampsia issue. I hope all goes well for you. Wish me luck too ! I am up and online.. anticipating the next feeding
Sweet things... I love them, but I do feel like I have newborn babies in the house... except this time I have quads !