Question: my yorkie had litter of 6, 5 alive
 

Hi
My yorkie had her first litter of pups 11 days ago on January 9th. She had 6 pups but one was still born. We have 5 thriving pups now. The first week or so Nikki (my mom yorkie) wouldn't even leave the box to eat. I put her bowl inside to feed her. She has been in calcium and vitamins since dày one of delivery and has plenty of milk. She has been an awesome new mom cleaning, feeding, protecting her babies. My concern is the past couple days she has left the box more and more. Today she has even been laying out of the box quite a bit but does get back in ever so often and let's them nurse. She has 3 larger pups and 2 little runts. One girl and one boy runt. The girl is the smallest. Almost the entire time Nikki is out of the box the little girl yells. When I make her get back in to let her nurse most of the time she just crawls up on mommy's side and goes to sleep. So I don't think she's hungry. My questions are. Should Nikki be leaving the box laying other places this early? Also, why does the girl runt cry when she apparently isn't hungry? She has gained weight as well. Just concerned.

I have 5 living of 6 on jan. 6 birth.
 

First I am not an expert but will help if I can. How are you keeping them warm? It may be that she is cold. I had one of my smaller boys crying yesterday and I had turned down the heat a bit. Because of moms comfort. So I moved everyone and put a heat lamp in with the pups.

The crying has stopped. Mom is not likening to be infor too long at all. She has been spending quite a bit of time outside kennel. I have a humidifier and heat lamp. As you may know warmth is key for the pups and warmer than would be comfortable for you or mom. When mom stays in with pups the use her for warmth but as she wants time away you need to find a way to keep pups warm. At least that is my experience. Also I trimmed the pups nails yesterday hoping to help mom want to keep being motherly.

Hope tho helps. If you want to talk send me a message.

Hope all a goes well.

Thank you. I did have a heating pad the first few days but removed it. I will try putting it back. Also can I use just a regular adjustable lamp? Don't have a heat lamp but can get one if its better. I'm afraid of the cord coming out of the box from the heating pad now that they are moving around more.

I it a bit early for momma to be spending so much time away from her pups but nothing to be worried about. Just make sure that she has full access on her own to enter and leave as she pleases. If you do not already have a heat source I would get a heating pad to put under the bedding for added warmth. Normally the pups will pile up for warmth when needed but at this age it is crucial that they remain warm and without momma there to provide added heat they may be getting chilled.

I'm concerned about your littlest one not eating.
Have you spoken to your vet about her?

Get some duct tape and tape it to the side of the box. A heat lamp would be better if you are concerned about the cord. You can pick one of those silver cone type ones with a clamp up at Wal mart for under $6 bucks. The bulb on the other hand is a bit more expensive and if you can not find one at Wal mart you can get one at any pet store.

I put my heating pad under the box.
 

At first I put it under the box on one side. But I have to say the red incandescent heat lamp in a clamp fixture has been the best solution since mom not staying in. You will have to test the height by if pups stay in a pile or move off from each other. The reptile light at 75w seems good for my pups.

Is your little girl doing any better?

I did take the little one to the vet this morning. Not good, she isn't breathing normal and he said its probably some kind of internal birth defect that has caused her to be so small. He said there's not much we can do. She will probably just fade on away. She didn't eat all day but when I got home from work I managed to get a little formula in her with a syringe but she's much weaker this evening. Still cries some but not as loud. Breaks my heart but I have to try.

Oh gosh Im sorry . . !


Do you think that if you hand feed her that there is any hope for this baby or does the vet think that with the birth defect that she is too sick to make it ?

Can you not put her on mom and let her nurse?? Please don't give up on her... Vets/Drs have been known to be wrong and would have had breeders euthanize pups that are perfectly good adult dogs now!

I had to physically attach my runt and make her nurse frequently (in between the others feeding) because she wasn't doing as well as they were. She's still smaller, but definitely thriving.

You need a heat lamp or heating pad in with them for at least the first three weeks. They can't regulate their body temperature on their own

Here's a link to a recipe that may help her thrive: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...er-remedy.html

Good luck.

I hope little girl is getting stronger.
 

I had 5 living of 6 on the 6th of January also. Three of them were 3 oz, 1 was 3.2 and the biggest 3.5 oz. 3 girls and 2 boys. One of the little boys was crying and breathing with a little noise and a runny nose.

As I said I put them under a heat lamp...but also humidifier. Then I got aged garlic juice and gave all and mom a drop and probiotic. Then I aspirated his nose then snuggled him in my bra to get him really warm.

His breathing is normal now and no crying but still a bit of runny nose. I will give him more garlic tomorrow and probiotic. But he gained .6 ounce which was about his largest one day gain. So I agree to not give up on her, pray for her and give her lots of warmth and moisture in air so not to get dehydrated. Just what worked for me.

It is not easy but don't give up.

No way I would ever give my 3 to 3.5 oz puppies garlic... Garlic is toxic to dogs.

Omg I had no idea about garlic and dogs thank you so much
 

I cannot believe that I gave them something that could hurt them...I use it as a natural antibiotic in my family....and I checked with regard to oregano oil ...and that was fine but I did not check regarding the garlic.

My heart is in my throat....as I am so hoping they will not be harmed and thankful that I will never ever give anthing at all before checking.

So grateful for being corrected. Thank you so much. I'm wanting to cry as hey have my heart and I cannot imagine ....ohhh thank you for posting to be sure no one follows that remedy with their dogs by reading my very bad idea.

So grateful.

I just purchased garlic flavored brewers yeast from vet...
 

I am confused as to why the sell garlicflavored when garlic is toxic..ugh I am just sick....

Here is a link to lists of things toxic to dogs. See #3 for toxic foods
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/eme...oods-misc.html

Some things flavored don't contain the actual item.

Grape flavored candy doesn't actually contain grape.

I would double check the ingredients. A drop of garlic juice to a larger dog might not be as bad as a drop to a 3.5 oz pup.

We use garlic as a homeopathic remedy in our home too, but not for the dogs. They do get probiotics though.

And garlic as a flea deterrent has been debunked

Garlic Toxicity and Pets

Dogs and garlic from Pet guide.com ...
 

Surprising news about dogs and garlic – what you need to know
There is a lot of controversy surrounding dogs and garlic on the Internet. Many sources believe that garlic is toxic to dogs and it should never be used in dog food. But garlic has been used for centuries as a medicinal aid by humans – can it really be that bad for canines? The answer may not seem all that cut and dry, but it’s becoming a lot clearer. This is thanks to the research efforts of experts that say that garlic is actually good for dogs. Of course, you can’t just let your dog chew on a clove of garlic. It’s all about the amount you give your dog. Read on to learn more about garlic and dogs, and how to make it a part of your pup’s healthy diet.

Garlic has been used for centuries as a medicinal aid by humans – can it really be that bad for canines?

Garlic: A Family Tree

Garlic comes from the Allium family, and counts onions, leeks, chives, and shallots as relatives. Onions, and to a lesser degree garlic, contains a compound called n-propyldisulfide. This compound can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells when taken in large enough doses. The effect creates Heinz bodies and the body will reject these cells from the bloodstream. After injecting large amounts over a long period of time, it can lead to anemia and even death.

History

It all started over 100 years ago, when wild onions (in the same family of garlic) were fed to cattle, sheep, and horses and these animals showed toxicity symptoms. In the 1930s, studies showed that dogs that ate onions showed toxicity symptoms. Fast forward to the 1980s: cats that ate onions exhibited the same toxicity symptoms as dogs did. It’s important to note that cats are six to eight times more sensitive to onion than dogs.

Garlic got a bad rap in 2000, when a research paper was published that based on garlic’s effect on dogs. Even though the dogs tested didn’t show any outward appearance of toxicity symptoms, there was an effect on the red blood cells. The researchers stated: “we believe that foods containing garlic should be avoided for use in dogs.” This was when garlic was touted as a poison for dogs and started to be removed from dog foods.

It’s All About Dosage

Too much of anything is bad for you. Even minerals that you assume make you and your dog healthy can be detrimental in large daily amounts. Things such as salt, vitamin D, or Zinc are all good for you… as long as you’re not overdoing it. The same goes with garlic and dogs. At some level, these things all have the potential to be toxic.

Here’s a guide on the garlic levels safe for dogs per day, based on a dog’s weight:

Fresh Garlic (from The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Dr. Pitcairn)

10 to 15 pounds: .5 clove

20 to 40 pounds: 1 clove

45 to 70 pounds: 2 cloves

75 to 90 pounds: 2.5 cloves

100 pounds +: 3 cloves

Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Garlic

The reason why garlic is added to dog food and treats is because it has many health benefits. Even if you’re not sure about dogs and garlic, and decide to start with a very low amount, your dog will still reap the health rewards. Its main claim to fame is the benefit it has on a dog’s digestive tract. But there are lots of other wonderful health reasons why garlic can help your dog:

Tick/Flea Repellent: It won’t kill the fleas and ticks, but those little buggers don’t like the taste of it. One sniff and they’ll be making their way off your dog.
Immune System Boost: Garlic has proven to do wonders with dogs with suppressed immune systems and as well has those fighting cancer. It gives a boost to bloodstream cells that kill bad microbes and cancer cells.
Liver Boost: Garlic is known to have detoxifying effects, which can help the liver get rid of toxins from the body.
Fights Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Infections: Bacteria, virus and fungi are no match for garlic! With its potent antimicrobial and antibiotic properties, it fights parasites and protozoan organisms as well.
Lowers Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride: Mix the proper dose of uncooked garlic with your dog’s food and it can help lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Cardiovascular Boost: Wonderful in older and overweight dogs, garlic can prevent blood clots, and reduce cholesterol levels and fat build up in the arteries.
Garlic is Good!

We believe that garlic is safe for dog consumption when fed at the proper dosages. As pet parents, we need to remember that there is no “normal” consumption level – based on your dog’s weight, you can feed your dog safe and beneficial levels of garlic.

We’d like to hear from you. Do you feed your dog any garlic, whether it’s in food, treats or supplements? Or do you stay away from it, as it’s “better to be safe than sorry”? We want to hear from both camps. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

faithsjoy, even if that article is true, how concentrated is garlic juice, and how much would be safe for a puppy of say 3 ounces?

Did you give it to them recently, or weeks ago?

they are 9 to 12ounces now
 

i can honestly say that had i known what i do now i likely would have waited. i gave them a drop and had planned to skip a day and retreat. however now i wii stick to the probiotic only.

i will keep a close eye on them, they are doing well one inparticular is huge compared to the rest even though she was born 3.2 at 2 weeks she is 12.5 others closer to 8. regardless i will not treat again as they are so tiny. will keep a close eye for any prob from treatment.

thank you

The immunity provided from mother's milk is probably the very best thing for them right now, and may not need any other intervention and supplementation.

Here is another site that may be helpful to you or anyone else reading:

Foods That Are Hazardous to Dogs | ASPCA

How is the litter doing today?

If Mom is staying out of the box this early, she is probably too warm. If you are using a heating pad, she may need a larger "nest" so that she can get away from it and still be with the pups. Actually, if your litter is out of drafts and in a warm room (above 70 degrees), a heating pad should not be needed. The only time I use one is if puppies are weak. Are the smaller ones gaining? Weigh them once a day - if they are gaining even a small amount, you are fine. If not, you need to either force them on a nipple or supplement feed them. If you don't have a scale, get a food scale that weighs in grams/ounces. If you use the ounce weight, make sure it will read in 10ths of an ounce. Even the small ones should be gaining a couple of 10ths of an ounce every day. Also check to be sure if they are dehydrated. To do this, gently pinch the skin on the back just behind the neck. The skin should go back down on its own. If it doesn't, the pup is dehydrated. Get some calf liver and simmer it in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes. This makes liver water. Remove the liver and let the water cool down. Give the pup a few drops every 30 minutes or so.
Never give young puppies any type of supplement not made specifically for young puppies. Too much of a good thing can do more harm than good.
Best of luck with your litter.
Charlie Farrar
Evenstar's Yorkshire Terriers

Thank you everyone. I did try putting her own the breast and even putting it into her mouth but she just wouldn't nurse. She wouldn't take a bottle so I fed her with a syringe. But despite everything my little girl passed away at 3am this morning. Her breathing got just too hard and she hasn't gained weight this last week like the other 4. She was a little doll. Miss her already but just glad she didn't suffer too long. Thanks again everyone.

I am so sorry, its good that you gave it your best try and that is all any of us can do!

RIP sweet baby girl !!

You did what you could it is very hard to save them once they start fading ive been through it with kittens. You really have to tube feed them rather than bottle feed to keep them going but you have to know how to do that and feel comfortable with it too.RIP sweet baby