[bjh]

I am sorry the little one did not make it. Yes, sometimes newborns will die for a variety of reasons. If she had a cleft palate she would not have been getting the nutrition she needs. That is why is it so important to know soon after the pups are born if they are all able to latch on tightly. Also that is why you monitor their weight gain.

I will also say something that I have been quiet about but I feel that it needs to be said. After seeing the pictures of the momma whelping the puppies I was shocked that you just let the momma do everything. I don't believe in just letting the momma rely on her natural instincts. By letting the momma cut the cords you are risking the lives of the babies because sometimes a momma will cut the cord to short and expose the insides of the pups. Sometimes the momma will chew off a foot while cutting the cords. Also by letting the puppy lie there in the sack the puppy could have been inhaling fluids into it's lungs. The first pup could of been in the birth canal too long. Instead of calling ER you should of been working the puppy out of the birth canal, breaking the sack and getting the fluids out of her lungs. I am not saying this to be harsh but just so you will know that if you whelp another litter it is recommended that you be more hands on and don't be just a spectator.

For now it is very important that the momma eats lots of food. What have you been feeding her prior to her having puppies? You need to try to keep her on her basic diet but you can add some canned puppy food (I prefer Pedigree canned puppy food mixed with Pedigree Healthy Digestion). You can scramble her some eggs. You probably will need to hand feed her for awhile. Keep a close eye on the momma's teats. If they start getting hard and red then that is a sign she is getting mastitis and she would need to go to the vets.