i wasnt able to check in on her for a few days there- so just had to read about 5+ pages... what a rollercoater- your nerves must be shot!
'well done' doesnt quite cover it Sara, but i'm sure you get the point! bella is a lucky little lady to have you; i dont know of many who could have gotten through this with all five doing so well!
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
i wish i lived near you to be able to offer some assistance, but i'm not That good of a swimmer!
if she still isnt eating the best for you, and especially if you are going to have another go at getting her to nurse, i would reccommend the new out royal canin 'mini starter, mother and babydog' dry food (moistened to get more fluids into her) my kuki got very picky after her whelp and her mother is often the same, and they both love it... it is also apparently perfect for weaning to, because it is such small peices.
keep us updated as usual and you will remain constantly in our prayers
:)

I am so thrilled that things are heading in the right direction!!!!! You are an awesome lady and those babies are so lucky to have you!!!! I just shudder to think what COULD have happened if the dogs were with the first owner when all this happened.

Will give a congrats now!!!

So glad that things are better for all of you...I believe that she will feed them
i had one that was not interested after a c section & spay but after 3 days i held her and let them latch on never had anymore trouble..you are truly a wonderful person to step up and save this girl & these babies. when she was not even yours at the time, some won't even go this far for their very own so sad

I am happy to report that my nerves are starting to unwind. I got to sleep last night without that fear of waking up to a dog that was gone. What a relief that was. Momma would stay with her babies for awhile and then come snuggle with me. I got so many kisses and I know that was her way of thanking me for all I have done. Little does she know but I would do it again without blinking an eye. She is eating now on her own. Still on a/d but when she finishes what is on the plate I will then switch her to puppy food. Trying to get some weight back on her so the vet said she would stay on that till she got back up to a more normal weight even if it is after the pups are weaned. Talked with the vet this morning. He is extremely pleased with how well she is doing. He was so worried about her. Yesterday we thought he was crying right before surgery. This has bothered him so much. He said in his 40 years of practice he has NEVER seen anything like this before. I knew she was not going to follow the textbook on whelping but never expected her to take the route of getting every problem that she could get. She is a fighter and did not give up. I also know that the reason she distanced herself from the babies is she probably knew that she had to. But as soon as she knew she was in the clear she came right to them. Smart little girl in my opinion.

Now for my daily question. I have one puppy that has become more fussy. After she eats she seems to cry a lot more. She will cry and then stop for a little bit and then start up again. Any ideas what her problem could be? When you diaper her, she potties just fine and if you do it when she is crying she hushes right up. Mom has her tucked under her chin right now. Told vet about it but said that she could just be a fussy pup and he will check them all over tomorrow when we go in for tails and dew claws. I just don't like hearing them cry. Could she have colic?? Do dogs get that?? That is what it reminds me of since my daughter had that as a baby and was always fussier after eating which is what this dog is doing.

Vet did up the dosage on moms amoxi today. Said even though all is good he wants to stay one step ahead of any infection so we went from .3 to .5 twice a day. Vet said she may not have milk but still put pups up there in case we can still get it in. Which I have been doing. The smallest one was able to latch on last night with no problem and she was my weakest sucker. No more weight loss. We are now maintaining weight and slowly get a small advance on a few. I was told that they should get 1 ml per ounce but some of them want more. Do I give a little more and if so how much? Also, if they are sucking on mom, how do I know if they are getting anything and do I still bottle feed them? If I still bottle feed, do I give them the full amount?? So many questions as we enter a new phase.

Still in the danger zone for another 25 hours but still no temp and all looks good. Vet said after 48 hours we should be reduced to a smaller chance of problems or death for mom. She will still be on antibiotics for awhile to make sure all of the infection is gone and stays gone. So far today has been good with no major problems.

Forgot to add our picture for today. This is what the tummy looks like after 2 surgery's.

I just found this thread and read all 16 pages sitting at the edge of my seat. You have saved so many lives through this unbelievable journey. I can't even begin to imagine what you have gone through. Just wow.

Her poor little tummy!! What a good little momma she's turning out to be for her babies.

Her coloring is almost identical to my Murphy, I can't wait to see a picture of her face! :)

Yes the puppies can have colic...if the pups are sleeping after nursing and not fussing I would think they are getting milk from mom...and i would leave them alone and not supplement...if you have a scale you can weigh them to make sure they are getting milk and thriving daily...but if pups are restless and crying after nursing on mom...than they are probably not getting any or enough milk from mom and you need to supplement.

Looked at the pic...that poor baby...but sure was nice seeing her with her babies...you are an Angel!!!

I also have been following this thread and although it has me in tears right now, they are happy tears. How wonderful to read this morning of the progress she has made. You should be SO PROUD! I have no doubt that without you Mom and more than likely puppies too, would not be here right now. I know one thing, I WANT YOUR VET! What a breath of fresh air he is. I would not be surprised if HE doesn't ask about getting one of the babies whern the time comes..... lol..
I think you definetly should encourage the puppies to try to nurse. I would put them on Mom and try to get them to latch on and nurse. If you have an accurate scale that reads in ounces (or grams) I would weigh each one first, then weigh them again before you suppliment them. Then weigh them again AFTER. Be sure to keep a chart of each one's progress. This way you can be certain they are getting enough. As long as they continue to gain, they are doing fine. Also try to get some Cal Sorb Plus for Mom to keep her calcium level up. The last thing I would want to hear is that she got eclampsia because the puppies depleted her calcium. With her size, it is a MUST. Four puppies is a lot for her size. Keep up the great job!!

Great advice :thumbup:

Just called the vet on the brown puppy that keeps crying. Vet said it sounded like colic. When her bottom is wiped or mom is licking her bottom she is quiet. Vet said to hold her upright and pat her bottom and I did and she stopped crying. We will be adding 1 ml of water to her bottles now. He also said that if they are still fussy after feeding then I can offer them more but wait 30 mins then offer 1 ml more. If still acting like hungry wait another 30 mins and offer more. Only have one that sucks food down quickly and then looks for more. Finally some quiet from crying puppy. Sure was breaking my heart.

I've had a c-section and was ridiculously uncomfortable for days. Can't image how she is feeling, poor momma. But what great strides you have made in the last 23 hours - yea you!!

If pups are sucking and not crying there more then likley getting milk, If they suck, and dont cry then go to sleep after eatting then there getting milk, Usaly if there sucking and getting no milk they will cry,So glade today has been a good day for you and mom, I hope soon your post will be mom feeding pups and all doing well, Keep up the GOOD WORK

Awwww I'm sure it was :( {{{hugs}}} Your doing an awesome job :thumbup:

Sara, I been following your posts and have sent prayers your way. I have supported rescues and as far as I\'m concerned you should be included. Tell me how to get some money to you to help in some small way. I don\'t think they charge to set up a pay pal account and have no idea how it\'s done but if you don\'t have one I am sure someone can help you get one. Don\'t know if this is against the rules but please let me know where to send a gift to help out with the bill that must be staggering by now. God bless you for setting your own life aside to help this poor innocent pup. Continued prayers and please pm me where to send a donation.
Hugs
Jackie