Hand Raising Puppies???

[Teryn]

I am so sorry! I will keep you and your doggie family in my thoughts and prayers!

[Marlee]

Today things have been better, I think I am finally finding that happy medium of how to feed them, how much and when, and how to understand what they are wanting when they cry. The girl will whine if she has to pee at all, I stimulate them a lot, but sometime she is a little pee pot, and will whine till I help her, the yawning breathing thing was becasue I had them to warm ( I was worrie dthey would be cold without mom). I found a good recipie for formula that they are taking better than esbliac and we rotate one puppy epr feeding to mom, that way she does not have such a high draw of calcium. Everyone is sleeping now, and I need to run to the store before their next round, but I wanted to check in and let you all know how it is going here. Hopefully after their next feeding I can steal a nap, but until then please keep these ones in your prayers, they are going to need all the help they can get.

thanks
Brandi

[Chloe and Joey]

YEAH! I need all the good news that I can get at this point. I know you are super busy - get someone to take some pics for us.

[xmasbaby75]

Oh my! Yes, I have had to deal with this as well. When this happened to me, the pups were 2 weeks old. We almost lost the Mom (Gellica) but thank goodness, she pulled through. The vet advised we not let her nurse anymore at all, so we were on our own. I too, made sure she had plenty of calcium suppliments along with cottage cheese, etc. but I guess some dogs are just more likely to have this problem. Here is what I've learned:

1. The pups like to knead (with their little paws) when they eat because they are used to doing this to the mom. So, I got a fuzzy bathrobe and draped it over myself when feeding them, and they took to it right away.

2. At first, they would not take the bottle, so we used a medicine dropper to feed them. Yes, it took a long time, but they did great, and after about a week or two, they could take the bottle.

3. Feed them often! Especially at first, and weigh them both morning and night to make sure they are not losing any weight. We fed them every two hours, and the one pup that we felt wasn't getting enough, we fed every hour until she started taking in more.

Good luck to you!!

[yorkiegirl67]

Originally Posted by belindaY

One of the puppies I'm currently hand feeding has been very fussy this morning--cries and belly seems hard to me. |She nursed very enthusiastically on the bottle at 2AM but refused it at 6AM. I have put her on her mother and she nurses well there, then resumes the crying and whining as soon as she's removed from Mom. We have vet appointment later today, but I'd like to hear from anyone who might have an idea what's going on.

Hello BelindaY, I had to start hand raising 4 babies as of Fri. a.m. due to complications of eclampsia with my girl. This was my first litter, so I was thankful that I had researched complications, and knew the signs otherwise my Lucy would have died. I found her shaking and shivering, unable to stand at 3 am in the morning. Our babies were 4 days old and around 9oz. each (yes, bigger and enthusiastic nursers from Mommma). I was frantic the first day trying to hand feed with the little bottle from the vet. I ended up buying Dr. Browns human bottles which have an antigas valve, and a smaller (in terms of human nipples), very soft nipple. As of today, (day 2), they are used to it although we have to be careful and keep them upright to feed and watch their suckling closely to avoid aspiration. What I think may be going on with your puppies is gas probably; possibly need to poop and pee. I make sure I burp the pups after feeding. Just like a human baby, sometimes this isn't the easiest. I've found that after patting them while upright on my chest, on their sides and top of their back if that doesn't work, I gently hold them with my hands over their back, decend them back a bit and then back up, like you would do with a human baby, pat a little more and I've gotten a burp. I find when I know a pup has a full belly of food and continues to cry / whine... they have an air bubble and I have more work to do. They settle down as soon as I get a burp from them. I have also found when I am having difficulty getting one to urinate, with stimulating Momma licking, rubbing their anus in a circular motion, stimulates urination too. My pups draw their legs up and urination starts and flows ! Urine and poop has never made me happier, or hearing a burp !! I'm no expert and this is my first breeding, but I had to be a fast learner. My background is in human medicine, rather than canine ! Momma is heartbroken and not eating like she should as she can't feed her babies. She was amazing for the 3 days she was able to nurse them. I shed some tears over watching her cry wanting to do it. This has been so heartbreaking, rather than my lack of sleep ! My vet suggested the baby clothing to fit her which covers her teats. He also recommended a comfort collar which emites pheromes and calms my girl. This is actually working ! She is getting a quarter tab of chewable OsCal to keep her calcium in check even though she can't nurse them. Soon I hope to post my full story on the whole eclampsia issue. I hope all goes well for you. Wish me luck too ! I am up and online.. anticipating the next feeding Sweet things... I love them, but I do feel like I have newborn babies in the house... except this time I have quads !

[BamaFan121s]

This thread is over 2 years old. I don't think the OP is a very active member anymore.

[yorkiegirl67]

Misty, can you tell I'm a "newbie" ! I didn't even think to look at the date of the post I was responding to. I'm laughing at myself. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Take care.