Hand-raising the babies that Lily left behind...... First of all, I want to thank everyone that sent there prayers and concerns to me when my Lily passed away. It has only been 4 days now and I still hurt sooooo much. My house doesn't seem the same without her......nothing seems right without her. I wake up in the middle of the night carefully rolling over as not to disturb her as I had done so many times.....I hear the tapping of her nails walking down my hallway and turn to pick her up.....I truely hurt in a way I have never before. I talked to family and friends with everyone saying that they understand my pain and feel so bad for us.......the strange thing is, that I feel more understanding from you.....the wonderful, caring people on this site!! There is something about having someone that has a the same feelings for there four-legged child saying that they understand my pain and will be thinking about me that truely comforts me! I could never explain the feeling of reading all of your post about praying for me and Lily and how it made me feel. If I could send each one of you a thank you card, I would in a heart beat!!! The more I read them, the more I cried, but I needed to hear that someone cared and half-way understood the love that I have for my Lily. Lily would have been 4 years old on Nov. 17th and I truely feel that her life was cut way too short.....but she did leave me 5 beautiful babies and she would want me to take good care of them! I am doing the best I can with feeding and stimulating, but what else should I be doing?? How often should they eat....the vet says every 2 hours, but they don't eat good if I wake them every 2 hours. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it o.k. to hold them or should they stay with the heating pad? How long do I keep the heating pad in their box? About how much should they be eating.....they are taking anywhere from 3/4 teaspoon to over 1 teaspoon every feeding.....they are 9 days old today. They weighed 3 oz each at birth. I just have so many questions and I am having a hard time calling the vet's office.....to much of a reminder of calling and checking on Lily. Any help would be appreciated!! Again, thanks to everyone for your support and prayers.....they meant so very much to me......you will never know what it all means to me! I had originally posted this in the 'general discussion' and was told to repost these questions in this section. I was told that ya'll would have more experience with hand-raising pups. |
I just wanted to add that while feeding them you will need to make sure to burp them as well. Thats very important. Also, I had no luck with the pet bottles or the droppers and so I used a human pre-me nipple. It worked great! I fed every two hours, round the clock, regardless. You want to make sure they are gaining weight. Its best to weigh them daily. Its also better to measure them in "grams" and not ounces to "make sure" they are gaining and not losing anything. I wish you and your little ones well. Sounds like your doing a good job already! Keep up the good work!!! :thumbup: |
Maybe see if another member has a Yorkie Mommy.... I wonder if anyone close to you has a Yorkie that has recently given birth....maybe a New Mother.(yorkie).maybe to assist with feedings.. .. that sure would help you right now... Good luck... |
Quote:
That is a wonderful idea:thumbup: I was very very fortunate to have two litters within a short time of one another for the FIRST TIME EVER in my life when I lost my precious Rio last year and had the same problem dragonfly is facing. I guess that happened for a reason with me...I'll never know. The main factors when caring for an orphan litter is 1. feeding on schedule 2. warmth 3. stimulation, because they do not have a mother to do this for them. I would keep them on a heat pad until 3 weeks old. Med-low heat. I used to rub my hands together vigorously to warm them and pick them up constantly to gently rub and stimulate. This is when I would poop them with a warm washcloth. Even though they had a surrogate mother to feed them, I still did this like clockwork because she already had her hands full and I wanted to make sure they got extra attention. The three of them thought of me as their mom..and the one who is here with us to this day still thinks I am her mom. So I guess I am...:) |
First of all, I am very sorry for your loss of Lily. This is the first I am reading about it, but will go back and find out what happened. The puppies should eat 1 ml per pound of body weight every 3 hours (5 ml = 1 teaspoon). Sounds like they are eating enough in one feeding that you can do it every 3 hours. If they are not eating the recommended amount you will have to feed less more often. Don't overfill their little tummies and feed in a natural position like they would nurse from mom (on their tummies). They will not be able to regulate their own body temperature until at least 4 weeks old. Keep them warm, but be careful of not getting them too hot because this can lead to dehydration. Here in El Paso in the desert, we have to add a little humidity to prevent this when raising orphans. Heating pads work well covered in a towel. The first week they should be kept in an environment between 85 and 90 degrees, then slowly reduce to 80 in the second week. By the 4th week 75 degrees is enough. Do weigh every day. I always just use the ounce scale for the Yorkies. I do have a gram scale because I raise Parrotlets (world's smallest parrots), but I don't think I have ever used it on the Yorkies. They seem to grow so fast it is very apparent on even an ounce scale. Once again, I am very, very sorry for your loss. Please keep us updated on the puppies. |
contact lksdolls, she had to deal with the same thing. |
Girl, you are doing a great job with Lily's babies!! Keep up the good work, and please keep us posted. Best wishes to you. My thoughts are with you. |
Just went back and read through Lily's story. Oh, how awful. I am so sorry. I wish she could have felt better to enjoy her new babies. I know she is looking down from heaven very pleased with how you are caring for her babies. You said the uterus ruptured - did she have a previous C-section? I had my first daughter with a C-section and had my second daughter naturally and they told me this was the risk I was taking for not having a planned C-section the second time around, but all went well in my case. |
So sorry you've had to go experience this. Best wishes to you and babies, |
I had to go back also and find out what happened. I knew she wasn't feeling well after her c-section, but didn't know of the further complications. Oh, it truly breaks my heart. I even felt sick in my stomach. What a tremendous loss. It sounds like you are doing a great job getting those precious little puppies to survive. With your love and efforts and the help you receive here on YT, they are sure to thrive and become rambunctous little Yorkies. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:49 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use