They aren't crying at all & seem to be just fine on how they act. If they seem to cry or be upset at all, I will take them to the emergency vet. I had talked to them on the phone7 they weren't helpful & just said that they would put him to sleep.

If they aren't crying and tummies are nice and round and they are warm then they are doing just fine. Weigh them and that's all you can do. The vet can't put him to sleep if you don't give the ok

If you pick a pup up and look underneith at their belly, is it round? Do you have a scale? You need to weigh them, its the only way you'll know if they are gaining or losing.

Is mom taking care of them well?

When they are nursing , do they have a nice grip and stay on?

My very first litter I had 2 with cleft pallet.. I learned how to tube feed... but neither made it.. lasting a week...Neither of them could latch on at all..it was heartbreaking. but since I have been on YT there is one that I know of that made it and is over a year old.. I just cannot think of who has this baby..some one else may...
I am sorry to hear this, and good luck... your in my thoughts right now..anne

I think breny's Tia is 2
I'm sorry you lost yours after a week.That so sad :(

kfaraoni
I am praying you lil boys will be ok
Please post in the morning and let us know how there doing

Tia Miracle Marie will be two in July :)

I too hope is ok with your babies! I'll be checking back in - in the morning!!!

Checking in for baby updated.
I'm sure you had a long night.
But post when you can...

It was a pretty good night. I went to get supplies for the homemade formula & to get nutrical, bottles, serynges (I know it's spelled wrong, but I can't think clearly), etc. to be prepared for the night. Called the vet again & he said that if there appears to be good suction, round bellies & no crying, to just watch them for now. I was up about every hour & a half to make sure they were nursing & doing well. They are both doing great. I also bought a digital scale like you said & that is much better than the one I was using. The cleft baby is 4.7 oz & the other one is 5.25. They are much larger than her last litter, but last time she had 3 puppies, so I guess it makes sense. Mommy is doing great & I'm pretty hopeful this morning. Our neighbor is a nurse & has been helping me too. I'll keep you guys posted & give an update probably later today or tonight. Thank you so much, all of you!! I couldn't do this without you!

I'm glad to hear things are going good! If the puppies aren't crying and have full round bellies then things seem to be doing as they should :) A nice quiet puppy with a full belly is a beautiful sight :)

How are the pups doing?
 

I meant to post last night.
I was thinking of you and your 2 little ones.
Then got so busy ..Allie had her puppies :)
How are they doing.Are you taking them to the vet today?
I'm sure they can tell you more
Let us know

Debbi I am sorry didnt see this thread until today, I hope all is well now, I have not experienced a cleft (knock on wood) but it looks as though you received so good advice...

Thanks Kimberly
Yes she got a lot of help here.
The people here are great!
I have a puppy problem too..
But thank goodness its not life threating
I hope to hear from her today.
I hope they lil guys are ok

Debbi.....how is little one's foot now?

My daughter has a cleft palate puppy. His cleft is in the soft palate and it is very large. He was able to nurse and did survive the first few weeks on his own but milk poured out his nose. The biggest danger is inhalation pneumonia. Most vets have little experience and advise putting them to sleep. The hennwood link that was posted here has great info. He is 1 1/2 years old now and drinks from a rabbit bottle and eats hard food only. He has been neutered and did well under anesthesia and we have found no other problems as many do have other health issues. Sorry so long but pm me if I can be of any help

If you do have to tube feed, I have done that also. It's really not that hard once you get brave enough to try it

Cleft update
 

Well, it's been a busy couple of days. I had computer issues yesterday & couldn't post, but wanted to give a little update. The cleft baby is such a little trooper. I looked at the roof of his mouth & don't actually see that he has a cleft pallet. He definately has a cleft lip though. It looks sad, but he seems to actually be functioning great! He nurses off mom, & seems to have good suction. I have also been feeding him with Breny's formula receipe (thank you Breny!!!) and he loves it! He is a squirmy one & loves to be cuddled with mommy all the time. When she goes out to go to the bathroom, he wimpers a little & stops as soon as she comes back. It's pretty cute! The other boy is a little chunk. He's gained so much weight so fast & is already up to 7.3 oz as of last night. I've never had a puppy gain so fast! I think he's hogging all momma's milk & also pushing off the little cleft baby. We have our appointment with the vet this afternoon to get more guidance & a better check up. I'll let you know how it goes. I've also talked to a couple of rescues, just to get more advice & look at the options. I don't want this little guys to suffer at all (he doesn't seem to be at all to me), but won't put him down just for a cosmetic issue. I think the biggest problem is that vets seem to say they'd just put them to sleep (a talked to 3 yesterday who said that). I'm at peace with that option as long as I have the reasoning & it makes sense, but I don't think it can be that cut & dry for every case. Sorry for the long post, I'll update again later. I would like to post pics, anyone have advice on getting the pics small enough to post here? I tried cropping, but any more cropping & you wouldn't see hte pups. there must be an easier way. Thanks again all of you!!
Debbie, I read about your little girl's leg & wanted to say your in my prayers. It wounds litle you have good advice & everything will work out with the taping etc. Good luck!

i have to same problem with my camera...so what i have been doing is standing farther away when i take the pic....then on my computer i zoom in and then crop it....it works for me.....also i just wanted to ask....are you planning on keeping the cleft baby if all goes well and it thrives as it is now?.....

He sounds like a little trooper for sure !
I'm so glad. I feel the same way about putting him down just for a cosmetic issue. He will be loved ..Kissable and huggable
Same thing with this lil girl I have
Try Irfanview its GREAT.
Somebody here told me about it. I had the same problem!
Keep us updated.
PS..That is not a long post girl.:p
I can ramble on FOREVER...:p

im so happy your cleft baby is doing well! are you going to keep it? im sure you will get attached and not want to let it go! best of luck! ill keep up on this thread!

You are very welcome. I'll be watching for an update and pictures! You can email them to me greensyorkshireterriers@yahoo.com and I'll post them for you if you'd like!

I just read threw this whole thread and want to wish you good luck at
the vet's. I hope he will be ok. If it's the lip only what a blessing that
would be for him.
Finger's crossed for both of you.
Your an awsome mommy.

Hoping for the best. Please let us know hat the vet says.

Bilateral Cleft lip
 

I have some experience with this as well. I have to tube feed this puppy since birth. He was able to latch on sometimes and get some milk, but it was no where near enough. He is a fat healthy puppy but he is still half the size of his littermates. He is very strong and very well. The vet said its very easy to fix and once he reaches 5 lbs he will be going in for surgery to fix it. If you have any questions feel free to ask, I was very nervous at first and wondered if it was better to put him to sleep, but with a cleft lip his chances are better and wont have suffer as much as if it were a cleft palate. I would HIGHLY recommend tube feeding, its really easy and much quicker. Here is a picture of the little guy, he is an American Pit Bull Terrier.

Also, he had an allergic reaction to evap milk I was using in his formula and switched to Esbiliac and I add 2 egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of yogurt, and he is gaining much quicker with this formula than with evap milk.

I just read your post and wanted to wish you and your little guy the best of luck! My Daisy wasn't supposed to make it as a young puppy for different reasons, however, she is now 3 pounds and 4 years old. Who know what is in store for this little guy!

pup
 

Good news...it sounds like the worst is a cosmetic problem...my friends two puppies grew mustaches and their lips really did not show too much...they had no teeth in that area of the gums, but did well...good luck

Thanks for the pictures of the puppies with the cleft palate. I had not seen one before.

Very best wishes to all of you in caring for your special little babies.

Sad update
 

I've been dreading posting this thread. I went to the vet yesterday & they said that he did actually have a very severe cleft pallate along with the cleft lip. They said his chances were poor & they recommended to put him down. I know that I probably could have tried the tube feeding & he may have made it, but I was so afraid to have him be in pain for my selfish reasons of wanting to keep him around; so I decided to do what I thought was best & put him down. I cried like a baby at the vet's & all last night & today. At least know I know I don't have it in me to be a breeder. It was so heart breaking & I was so hopeful that it was just the lip or at least a minor cleft pallat. Sorry to those hoping I would have nursed im through it. I just hope I did the right thing.... :-( Thanks for all the help!

I will be praying for you and your lose of the puppy. Know that you did your best and did what you felt would be best for the puppy.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know that was a difficult decision for you. I have no idea what I would have done in your situation, and all I can offer is my support and sympathy. You did what you thought was in the pup\'s best interest, and that is the most important thing.

RIP little one. :littleang

I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is painful but you did the right thing.