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Originally Posted by McheleM  I don't think the vet put them in with mom until after she recovered and up and about. They then tried to get her to nurse them and she wanted no part of it. They didn't want her to hurt herself by struggling to get away so they started bottle feeding the pups and kept her and pups separate. Her milk hasn't come it, you can't get anything from her teats. The vet sent the puppies home with me at 5 am and had me come back for Allie at 8:30. They were born around 2:15, and they spayed her after the c-section.
Had I known more about c-sections, I would have known to ask for a placenta or 2 to take home to make the transition easier.
We are putting the 2 stronger pups to teats to suck and try and get the hormones going.
I can say overall I am not pleased with the emergency vet because they didn't see the "need" for an oxytocin shot after pups were born and also my vet basically told me he didn't think it would do any good at this point. He also strongly suggested I bottle feed and not tube feed because he said pups really need to learn to suck, even after I presented him with several breeders statements that tube feeding was better for several reasons.
I called 4 other vets in my area and none of them would teach me to tube feed and all "strongly discouraged" it. I have emailed a breeder in Dallas to see if she can refer me to her vet or one she may know that will teach me. Right now pups are doing okay, but I'd rather them do better than okay. The 2 smaller ones have a poor latch and it's harder for them to feed on the bottles-we're really having to work with them, and it's a slow process. |
It is sad to say but a good knowledgeable and reputable breeder knows about a ton more about breeding than almost any vet you will ever meet. This is another reason why it is best for anyone who is interested in breeding dogs or cats learn by experience with a good reputable breeder that will take them under their wing. Experience is the best teacher.
Don't give up on trying to get her to nurse. Put the pups in with her when you can observe them with her. Tube feeding is the best way to know they are getting the exact amount the puppy needs to have for it's size. Probably the people at the vets offices you called don't really have a great grasp on how to do it anyway.
Do you have a small scale to weigh them on? It is important to keep close track of their weight and try to make sure they get the right amount of formula each feeding.