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50 gram (1.75 oz) puppy?! OK - one of Molly's three boys was born at only 50 grams (1.75 oz). He has nursed with vigor and has gained - but only about .2 oz a day - they are 5 days today. The other pupps are massive compared to him and push him off - I try to get in there and give him some alone time with her, but don't know if the big ones are getting most of the milk. He isn't crying - so I guess he's getting enough food - maybe he just eats and gains less cuz he is so tiny? I am so worried about him - any words of encouragement on tiny ones would be a big help! Also, I am taking them in to get tails and dews done today- is it safe for such a little guy? |
I wouldn't have anything done to such a tiny baby! Not that I have any experience on the subject, but ... |
IF this were my litter I would be tube feeding or bottle feeding this little guy...Work on getting weight on him so he can compete at the milk bar...As the other pups get bigger and bigger the problem will only get worse and then you may lose him...Mom will soon get in the box only to feed and will not stay in long enough for this little one to get enough... I assume you checked his palate for a cleft?...I would like to see him gaining more weight than what you mentioned... I would put off docking the little ones tail for now...Let him gain a bit more weight! |
I just took them all to the vet for tails and dews - the little one's temp was low - so i opted to NOT do his now. He has doubled in weight as have the others, so proportionately he has gained the same, and he has a lot of energy and strength. The doc checked him and he has no cleft pallet - she seemed concerned about his low temp and asked me to up the whelp box to 90-95, and take the other pups out every 3 hours and have him nurse for 20 minutes alone. I am trying to look on the bright side - he IS gaining, he IS feisty… just worried :( she said if he is doing really well, she can dock him for up to two more days. |
This is so stressfull! My sister just called, she had a heat lamp up as suggested by the vet and the whelping box was at 92 (vet asked for 90-95) Molly has dug all the beddding out and has the puppies on the bare plastic - I am guessing she thinks it's too hot... I don't know what to do! My instinct is to take the lamp out - the whelping area was more 85-90 before and mom never dug up the bedding. BUT, the tiniest one was not warm enough :( his temp was 3 degrees lower than the other pups at the vets... so, I told my sis to put the heating pad back on only half under the towel and receiving blanket, put the half lid on the box over it and then mom can lay in the cooler half. Aarg - thoughts? |
not talking from experience cause im not a breeder yet but this is what i would be thinking if it was me in this situation...you may want ot make him a sock sweater if his temp stays low...you dont want to others to be way too hot either....it can upset their little tummies...doubling his weight sounds great....he is just gonna be on the little side....Smokey was the runt of the litter but ended up going over 5 lbs before his litter mates.....he is now 6.8 lbs.. and 17 1/2 months |
That is great that he has doubled his weight in the last week!..Your vet has given you good advice...If you think mom is too hot you can leave the heating pad on under half the box...My heating pad does not get warm enough on low and I have to keep mine on medium...The bed should feel warm to touch...If the room you have the pups in is cool, close air conditioning vents...I sometimes run a heater in the room to make the room warmer and take off any chill in the air...A chilled pup will not eat and should not be fed because they can not digest their food... Keep tabs on this little one and I am sure they will be fine! |
I know how stressful dealing with a tiny must be though I've never had that experiance. My one litter of four were all between 5-6 ounces at birth. It sounds like he is a fighter since he is gaining and nursing. Keeping him warm is an absolute must, so do whatever it takes. The "sock sweater" sounds like a good idea along with the heating pad. Alone feeding time with mom is also important IMO with such little guys, maybe along with supplementing him with a bottle also. Just be sure he is not chilled at all before feeding him! I will keep this little guy in my prayers and will check back for updates. (((HUGS))) to all of you. |
I would refrain from using a heat lamp to get up to that temp since it can cause dehydration. Just make sure he is staying hydrated, his gums should be pink and moist and his skin should bounce back on his shoulders once pinched. Watch his weight like crazy and at the first sign of anything wrong, check his temp and if normal...supplement. Just remember they may need burped if you bottle feed and also pottied. You can give him to mom to do that or you can use a warm, damp wash cloth. Hope he continues to do well. As for the tail docking, I probably wouldn't do it. Being that small it is very doubtful he will make it to the ring anyway. I am sure he will be really cute with his longer tail. :) Right now it is more important that he not miss a beat. |
Well Bilbo - as my son has named the little one is up to a whopping 5.2 ounces! I took him to work yesterday and bottle fed him every two hours. Left him on his momma all night and he had gained an entire ounce this morning! I think we are over the hump now. The vet says if he still gains and is doing well tomorrow we will do his tails and dews... thanks guys for the support and advice! I am SO ready to turn the AC back on - dying of heat here in Phoenix. |
I'm just now seeing this but was so happy to read that your lil' guy is thriving!!! :happyboun :happyboun Great work!!! |
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glad to see that little "Bilbo" as gained weight...sounds like a little butter ball now...lol...i would say turn the AC back on....just turn off the vents in the area the pups are in even put something over it if you have too....i cant imagine no AC!!!!!!......congrats on those little ones |
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