Nutri-Cal Puppy Question for premature puppy

[DCShuga]

Hello,

I have a premature yorkie, who is currently 5days old today and is still weighing 2.2oz. I read up on giving some nutri cal puppy to the pup but I cannot locate how much to give or how much should I mix into a mixture of esbilac. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Pam Shaw]

I would definitely call your vet and ask!

[Wylie's Mom]

Like Pam said...I'd call your vet and ask. Although we do have breeders on here who may have some advice if they see this thread. I hope this little one is okay!

Also - I'm moving this to the Breeder section so it gets more attention.

[Yorkiemom1]

NutraCal is NOT a diet....it is a "shot of sugar" to bridge a pup from an episode of low blood sugar until you can get some food in the pup. How premature is this pup? How old is the pup? Is this baby nursing from momma adequately? What makes you think this baby needs NutraCal? What is your experience as a breeder? Have you ever tube fed orphaned pups or pups that are rejected or just can not nurse to get enough formula to keep them alive?

[DCShuga]

This is our first time and a unexpected pregnancy. The pups did not take to the mother so, yes we were trained to tube feed the last puppy. However, her weight has not gone up and our vet is closed today. I was just curious about nutri cal since I've seen it on the web and posted by various breeders. Which is why I am on this site today, hoping that I can reach a breeder to assist me with my current situation.

Out of a litter of three, we have one survivor, who is a fighter. I just would like for her weight to go up more because it's been at a constant 2.2oz for the past three days.

Just more info: I currently have her (preemie 5 day old) on a 3 hour esbilac feeding schedule. I am currently feeding her the liquid version of esbilac but I also have the powdered version as well, on stand by.

BTW-thank you all who have responded thus far.

[magicgenie]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Like Pam said...I'd call your vet and ask. Although we do have breeders on here who may have some advice if they see this thread. I hope this little one is okay!

Also - I'm moving this to the Breeder section so it gets more attention.

The vets I've known have been clueless on how to keep a neonate alive. The only advice I've ever gotten is to feed milk replacer often. I've never saved one with tube feeding either, and thank the powers that be that I haven't often been called upon to try.
I wish I had something to offer here---
DCShuga, just keep trying to get the Esbilac into that baby and hope for the best! Sometimes it actually works.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by DCShuga

This is our first time and a unexpected pregnancy. The pups did not take to the mother so, yes we were trained to tube feed the last puppy. However, her weight has not gone up and our vet is closed today. I was just curious about nutri cal since I've seen it on the web and posted by various breeders. Which is why I am on this site today, hoping that I can reach a breeder to assist me with my current situation.

Out of a litter of three, we have one survivor, who is a fighter. I just would like for her weight to go up more because it's been at a constant 2.2oz for the past three days.

Just more info: I currently have her (preemie 5 day old) on a 3 hour esbilac feeding schedule. I am currently feeding her the liquid version of esbilac but I also have the powdered version as well, on stand by.

BTW-thank you all who have responded thus far.

You have to add to that canned puppy formula.....My formula is as follows, and with tube feeding, I have not lost a puppy since.
8 oz Just Born
4 oz Pedialyte
1 raw egg yolk
1 cup whole live culture yogurt (I now use Kefir milk, as it mixes better and is a better probiotic.)
3 tbsp Dr Millers NutraDrops (may substitute 3 tbsp Karo syrip + 2 tbsp ViDaylin Pediatric Liquid vitamins)
Mix the above well in a jar and keep in fridge for a week.

This formula delivers 14 - 16 cal per cc....you need to feed this baby 1cc per oz of body weight, every 2 hours, around the clock for at least a week. Be absolutely certain the baby is warm and the formula is warm.....I wrap a wash cloth from the dryer around the pup when I am tube feeding it. You can use the liquid formula you are using, until you can get the Just Born. I can not adjust accurately the calories/cc with any substitutions....puppy needs the extra calories to thrive....please keep me updated on your progress and any questions you have.

[Yorkiemom1]

How is the puppy?

[Yorkiemom1]

Hello??????????? Is the baby still alive?????????

[DCShuga]

The baby is doing fine. I'm just playing catch-up on your post. Funny thing is, I just picked up "Just Born" yesterday from petco and noticed that she loves it way better than Esbilac.. to the point that I can dribble a little of the formula in her mouth and she sucks down the tube for me & I just stop it once it gets to the mark.

Current update is as of today she is now 2.3oz and is full of energy bad thing is NOW she is trying to obtain milk from the mother. I believe she can now suckle without issue. However, is not producing. I've begun to feed the mother some of the Just Born, in hopes that she begins lactating again. If not, then it looks like I'll be tube feeding for a while until the new pup gets used to a bottle.

I'm actually debating on purchasing this bottle: Catac Foster Feeding Bottle | Revival Animal Health

that's all I have for now. Again, thanks everyone for your input on the matter. It's greatly appreciated.

[Yorkiemom1]

You should supplement the puppy....if pup is trying to nurse from momma, that is great, especially if momma is taking care of the baby......that momma bonding will greatly improve the chances baby survives. I wouls still start by feeding the formula mixture to get caught up....baby went 3-4 days without goining any weight, so she is actually playing catch up now. You can tube feed that formula mixture, ensuring she has the calories she needs to stimulate growth in her tissues, sugar for her brain development....if you supplement her trying to nurse from momma, then feed her every 3 hours so she gets hungry between feedings. You need to weigh her twice a day, before you feed her....once in am, once in pm....she shou only be gaining weight once you start the feedings. If after a day, she is not gaining any at all, you need to increase the feeding to every 2 hours.....a healthy baby that age should constantly be gaining weight, NEVER loosing. Always make sure baby is warm, especially during feedings.....be sure the formula is warm, not too warm...test it on your wrist. If momma isnt doing it, be sure to pee/poop baby. You can also give momma some whelping pudding that will encourage her to produce milk...you van find that in the breeders section on this forum....that pudding also helps momma with her calcium intake.....

[chachi]

I thought breeders used more nutridrops than nutrical I think both products are the same the nutridrops are just easier to give to a young pup

[Yorkiemom1]

Dr Miller's Pet NutraDrops have more vitamins in the formula, and is so tasty, the dogs LOVE this stuff....and it isnt that sticky, gummy mess you get with NutraCal / NutraStat.

[DCShuga]

Is the nutradrops available at a local pet shop?

[Yorkiemom1]

No.......have to order it......www.animalwellness.net is the website on the bottle....I order it from Vets Choice, by the gallon jug! It is great for stress, post op, post travel, not feeling well, not eating well, etc..... You can read about it on Google....just be sure you are reading about Dr Miller's....some of that stuff is really nasty and dogs strangle on it it is so bitter!