Constipated Puppies All five of my bottle-fed babies are doing well, gaining weight, getting active and loving, but.... for the last two days, no bowel movements. Up til Friday, they all went most every time they ate. Just a few dozen rubs with a damp cotton ball and they would go. They might skip a time here or there but most went each time. Then all of a sudden, it is like the little chutes have slammed shut. They are taking Esbilac. They eat fine, pee a LOT, never cry, just stopped pooping. I got out the thermometer and tried that on the biggest one last night without success. It just made him squirm and fuss. How many days can they go without it being an emergency? I can call the vet tomorrow but that will be 3 days without going. I do have 2 more cans of Goat's milk. I was feeding it to the littlest one when I was so worried he wasn't eating. But since he has learned to latch on better, I have just fed them all the formula. Does Goat's milk tend to loosen them up any more than formula? Should I water down the formula? The largest male looks bloated (but he may just be getting fat). The rest of them don't seem anything out of the ordinary. They are all getting very loving. They will lick all over my face and love to be cuddled. I am afraid I am raising 5 very spoiled pups! All I have to do is put my hand down in their little play pen and they all come running/waddling wanting to be picked up. I don't know how I am going to part with any of them! |
I am not sure how long they can go, you didn't specify how old they are, but they sound still so young. I don't have any experience with a constipated pup that is so young, so I don't want to advise you wrong. I just had to let go of a pup yesterday to their new family, and another is going today, and it is just so hard. I honestly don't know how you will part with any that you are caring for 24/7 like that.....I don't envy you, as I think I would end up keeping them all! ;-) I am in Florida too, so if there is anything I can do! |
I'm sorry for the lack of details. These puppies are 3 weeks old (as of yesterday) and lost their momma the 3rd day after they were born. So, they got to nurse two full days and then have been on bottle feedings since. They were on the small side but have been gaining steadily. I told myself not to get too attached. I even decided not to name them and instead call them by the color of the yarn tied around them to differentiate between them. But "gold" turned into Goldie, "blue" went from Baby Blue, to Little Boy Blue and now is BIG BLUE, etc..... There is no way not to get attached. They are just too adorable. |
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Goats Milk does cause looser stools. In my "bible" Terri Shumski's; How To Buy And Raise A Healthy Dog there is a blurb about constipation in newborns and here's what it says. If you aren't already, you should be diluting the Goats Milk with equal parts of distilled water. A crying pup could indicate one that is constipated. Using an eyedropper filled with pure glycerine, insert in pup's recton, and release a couple of drops (one-quarter cc). Massage anal area. Warm water can also be used and ministered rectally with an eyedropper. |
Thanks Mardelin -- seems like you are always there to answer my questions. I really appreciate that. I will switch them all to the goat's milk and see if that helps. If they don't go by this evening, I will try the little "puppy enema," you quoted for me. I would have just put them all on the goat's milk when I used it for the little one, but I wanted to use this Ebsilac up. I bought several cans of the powder. I tried to get them to eat from a saucer yesterday. No luck with that. Just made a LOT of messes. None of them seemed interested unless it was to lick off my fingers. Maybe I will wait a few days and try again. |
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Keep on offering the saucer....remember room temperature....they'll get it. In the bottle or syringe feeding....feed until their lil tummy's look like a light bulb or until they push it away with their lil tongues. |
I can just picture these 5 pups following you around. You really should keep them..Smile.... |
Good news. After two feedings with the Goat's Milk, they have all pooped -- and how! I think we got it before any of them were really uncomfortable since there have been no whining. Big thanks Mardelin! The only time they cry is after I bathe them and they are getting dried. They do not like to be cold. But they have to have at least one bath a day. I sure see what all that momma dog licking takes care of. Puppies get smelly fast without it. They are always putting their little noses where they do not belong. Then, one climbed to the top of the pile and pee'd all over the rest of them the other day. So we have a lot of baths. It was so sunny and warm outside today, that I took them out on the patio after their bath. I think they dried faster with the sunshine than they had with the blow dryer on low, they stopped shivering faster, and I didn't have to turn off the A/C in the house. I will stick with the Goat's Milk until they are eating dog food. Then maybe I can use the rest of the Esbilac to mix with their food. Thanks again for your advice. |
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Most are drinking from the bowl! We had progress today. Since they all would lick the milk from my finger, I slowly moved my fingers to the bowl and into the milk. All but one got the idea. It was hilarious. They lapped a little then would back out and start licking the milk off each other's faces and feet. One actually tried to latch on to the poor little snout of another. Had to rescue that one! I think they all had fun but they did not eat nearly as much as usual so I offered the bottle to each of them after and they made up the difference. They are also starting to do better with their housekeeping. At first they would even wet themselves in the pile and I would have to wash them all constantly. I folded their blanket in about a fourth of the play pen and have a pad that covers all of it. They are now leaving the blanket and doing their business on the pad. Hoping this is a step in the right direction for future house training. They are really starting a cute stage. They definately love to be nuzzled, held and cooed at. I love these little ones. |
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I told you they'd be more cuddly and loved to be held. |
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I live in Southern California and have the great weather too, but mine don't even go outside until they go to their forever homes. |
I, like Mardelin, use baby wipes . My baby puppies are not batheed. They can make some of the worst messes ever at this age and even worse when they start getting into their food with all four feet and bellies dragging in it. LOL Also, mine are never outside until they are almost ready to go to their new homes. About twelve weeks. |
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