Such good news that your little one seems to be doing a bit better.
I certainly hope that my earlier comments didn't create any stress or an environment where there were too many spoons in the broth. That was not my intention. I am very glad to hear that the current treatment seems to be working and hope this little one continues to improve. It is wonderful there are people here with experience in dealing with matters like this who can help guide others struggling to help their puppy's health.
The reason I asked about talking to the vet about milk is because there are times when the bowel is not in any condition to handle milk, and one's vet or doctor is often in the best position to make that evaluation. Sometimes it can be the small things that get overlooked in a stress situation and so I thought it might be worth bringing up. Intestinal flora can be a tricky thing after days of watery stool which can make it difficult for the body to properly digest milk products. In humans the bacteria for digesting milk is one of the last bacteria to return to the necessary levels required for digestion after a serious illness. It may be different in canines, I have no idea. Thus the reason to discuss the matter with the vet.
Regarding rice water, yes rice water is a starch and starch does have nutritional value as it is a sugar which is not so very different from the glucose water given in an IV to keep patients hydrated. Rice is also very easily digested and easy on the digestive tract. Humans are put on an IV of glucose water and nothing at all by mouth sometimes during extreme illnesses. That being said, any treatment of an extreme illness needs to be monitored by a vet or doctor to ensure that what should be done in that particular situation is being done. When dealing with such a tiny little pup extraordinary caution must always be used and a vet should always be consulted before trying any treatment method because any illness is a very big deal when you are that tiny and so any whoops is also a very big deal. I do not have personal experience raising tiny pups (there are several here who can certainly speak on pup matters better than I can) but do have experience raising tiny human babies. My last one was 3.5 lbs and stayed very thin right up to her adulthood. Any stomach illness was cause for alarm and she would become dehydrated ridiculously quickly.
This little pup is so much tinier than that, her reserves are so very small. Extraordinary caution must be followed and her vet included in most health decisions to keep her health going in the right direction. May she continue to regain her strength. Keep up the good work! |