The few times I've had weak puppies I've sought out veterinary advice. One taught me how to tube but didn't hold out much hope. The whelp died next day. Another time an emergency vet taught me how to bottle feed and prescribed an antibiotic due to rattly sounding breathing. The whelp lived to thrive. Another time the emergency vet talked me into surrendering one I thought looked hopeless. She wanted to try to pull him through, but he had some obvious issues that would require surgery. I gave her the puppy and my best wishes. I guess you have to find veterinarians you trust.
My vet now trusts me with oxytocin, but you really need instruction in when to use it. You can cause problems administering it too early or too much. Calsorb can help with contractions, but my girls sometimes just spit it up too. IV calcium can help, but I leave that to the vet to decide. When I have a girl due to whelp I have my vets lined up---regular vet is some distance away and doesn't do night and weekend emergencies, so I'm always prepared to go to the nearest emergency vet at the first sign of trouble. I've spent many nights camped out in the emergency hospital delivering puppies there in order to have a vet on hand. Whelping still scares me to death and I try to have someone calm on hand to help me through it. The things that have happend to you are pretty common according to other breeders I know. I'm now having a good year without many problems, but some years have been full of complications. I've often thought of quitting. You'll be OK. |