Need advice about tiny 10 week old
 

I'm hoping someone here recognizes some of these signs in a puppy. I have a 10 week old that weighs 9 oz. He's already been to my vet who feels I'm already doing everything reasonable and sensible to save him. He shares my concerns about too much poking and prodding and administering medicines that could do more harm than good. Puppy does not appear to be suffering. He is a runt puppy--born small and weak, needed some bottle feeding at first, matured enough to look and act quite normal except for being tiny. He was doing very well until last week-- at 9 weeks old had vet checkup and distemper shot, two days later fell into a funk and hasn't totally snapped out of it. Huge open font and sunset eyes are making us think there is some degree of hydrocephalus, but he also gets hypoglycemic acting. We had to force feed with syringe for a few days and he now takes food and water on his own. Pee and poop functions look good. For a few days gait was odd, as if hind legs not moving in coordination with front, but that's better now. We're feeding VitaCal, Pediasure, shredded chicken, and canned puppy food. His gums are very pale. Does any of this sound familiar to any of you? Any dietary suggestions?

with the hind legs not moving I wondering if he needs extra calcium? I gave Mya crushed up Tums when she was nursing because she was looking very weak. It really does help.
I would only try a tiny bit. Also my 1oz pup that was born did well on evaporated milk, yogurt and egg. I still give them evaporated milk mixed with water and the plain yogurt.
Their nails and hair have grown so fast. It can't hurt trying it with your little guy.
Keep us updated. Also keep him warm...he probably still needs a heat source.

Have you had any blood work done on him?

Sounds like he is suffering from possibly several problems. I would put a little karo syrup in his water to make sure his glucose level stays up. I have to say I would have also never had a vaccine on a 9 ounce puppy. I don't understand some vets sometimes. That was probably way too much for his system. I don't usually have mine done until the puppies are close to 2#, but that is my opinion and choice only. Sounds like you are doing the best you can. Bless his little heart and praying for him!

I must say I was surprised when the Dr. went ahead and vaccinated the little guy. We were there for checkup and vaccines for the litter but I thought he'd postpone the shot for the tiny one. I'm trying to get some weight on him before attempting any bloodwork or anything else that could cause trauma. I'm just hoping some breeder on Yorkietalk has seen these symptoms before and can help steer us in the right direction. I have been putting Karo in the water. Karo was the first thing I gave him when I saw he was sick, and it did pull him through some tough days.

Little ones need different treatment
 

I learned the hard way that the vet does not always know best...there is no reason to give a vaccine to a pup that small....KiKi was very little too and when I got her at 13 weeks she was barely 16 oz....and she had lots of problems for the first year...especially after a shot or flea treatment or heartworm med...the vet and I agreed to stop it all..and she has been good for 2 months now and finally gained some weight...she is now 13 months and weighs 2lb 10 oz...karo syrup in his water to make sure his glucose level stays up is a very good idea....
Good luck..keep us posted.:animal36

The only person I know that has alot of first hand experience with tiny Yorkies that could possibly help you is Natalie of Natalies Yorkies. She raises tiny ones and has for along time now and I know that I have called her several times when I've had a puppy born a runt. She really is a nice person and has helpped me a great deal when I thought all hope was lost.
Your vet should never have vacinated that puppy, that was a major over load for a body that tiny. I had a vet do that to a Chi. once and it ended up costing me almost $700 in vet bills to save her. She spent three days in the hospital hooked up to lactated ringers, she showed the same signs you have mentioned here. If it were me I'd call the vet back and ask him/her what they were thinking... I hope your baby pulls thru.

Vaccination protocols?
 

I'm very sad that it could be the vaccination that brought the little guy down. He had the shot on Friday morning and got sick during the day on Monday. He's slittle better again today, now up to 9.5 oz. My puppies are vaccinated for distemper/parvo at 8,12 & 16 weeks. Are there options I should be considering? I knwo of one breeder who holds her puppies until 18 weeks and doesn't vaccinate until then;says that way no boosters are needed. Anyone heard of that? It's very hard to get vets to talk about the subject sometimes.

If he survives I certainly wouldn' give any more shots until he gain a good bit more weight

ohhh nooo!
 

Why would the vet take the chance of vaccinating the little one. He was way to tiny for the vet to take the chance of vaccinating him. Did the vet use a full dose of partial dose?

My last tiny I made sure to always give him some nutrical before everyfeeding, and that he ate something at least every hour. He was born at almost 2oz and and finally went upto 3 oz two weeks later. and vet waited to vaccinate until he hit 1.5oz and then only gave him 1/2 a dose.

Hopes this helps al little.

Puppy pulled through for now---
 

After being in bad shape and appearing near death a few times over 10 days, Butch started showing signs of recovery around New Years day. He started getting up and feeding himself and now even plays with toys and greets us when we enter his room. Now only 11 oz at 12 weeks, we're very guardedly optimistic about his long term outlook and will be taking him to Angell Medical Center in Boston for evaluation. Regardless of the cause of his setback, there was no reason for him to have that vaccine and I'm going to be extra alert from now on. Thanks everyone for good advice and support.

Yah! So Happy to hear that!

How is he doing today ?

mscat
 

He's doing great, weighing a whopping 11.5 oz today. He's alert and playful, eating well without coaxing. It's very heartening to see him like this.