2 week old yorkie dies during tube feeding
 

I recently had a devestating loss of a 2 week old yorkie pup. When whelped, the pup was much smaller then the only other litter mate. 8 oz vs. 12 oz., the pup couldn't nurse, mother pushed pup away and kept licking the pup until 2 hours later the pup was still wet and hypothermic as well as gapping for air. I rescued the pup, warmed and began bottle feeding. the pup spewed milk out his nose. I thickened the formula w/rice cereal, fed houly to two hour intervals @ 1 to 2 ml at each feeding for 2 weeks. The vet never gave me much hope. At 2 weeks the pup had doubled his intake and had regained from 2 oz to 3.5 oz. and his eyes opened. At two weeks I was able to confirm what I suspected, a cleft pallet. The vet strongly suggested tube feeding at this time with the intent of achieving a size appropriate for repair. The first feeding went well. The second feeding ended in tragedy, I believe a broken neck. This pup was handled with utmost care. After speaking with surgeons I work with they agreed that the pup probably had multiple defects such as cleft pallet, cardiac septal defects, and a atlantoaxial instability (neck not securely connected to the head). I have been told this pup should not have survived 2 days let alone 2 weeks and that the broken neck was just a matter of time. Has anyone else out there experienced this? This was the first litter for my dog. I am very hesitant to do this again.

Thank You
Meggie's Mom

Aw jesus, that's jsut aweful. I'm really sorry.

I am so sorry that everything has turned out this way. I really have no advice or suggestions as i am not experienced with breeding. I hope all goes well for you from now on. :animal36

I am so sorry for your loss . I have had the same experience with one of Agate's puppies . I was devastated about loosing her .

I have no experience with this (thank God) and I am so sorry that you had to go through it. I am sure you fell totally in love with the little pup and it must be sooooooo hard for you. You had to have taken the utmost possible (and even beyond that somehow) care of that little baby for it to have survivied so long. How very very sad.

oh no, i'm so sorry for your loss. how sad. :cry: i don't have any advice, but i wanted to tell you how sorry i am for what you went through.

loss
 

I am so sorry...and yes, as most long time breeders, I have all experinced this..never easy.
One of the reason dogs, cats etc have litters is not all can or will survive. It is a fact of Mother Nature and that woman can be cruel!

I do not try to save the tiny, weak cleft palates. They can have so many other problems that do not manifest until they are in the 3 to 6 month range. If I got a fat one I would try. They do not come along in every litter, infact I have not seen any in a dozen or more years..but it could happen tomorrow.

This is a part of dog breeding..and unfortunately one of the easier ones..by that I mean the pups rarely survive. They can peaceful go to Yorkie Heaven. The ones who are born with a chronic illness or deformity will need care their entire life in many cases (just like human babies)..so it is something each breeder must think over very seriously. When breeding or showing is a passion, nothing will stop you.
Best wishes to you.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing babies, even sick ones is very hard to handle. Keeping you close to my heart......

I am so sorry. :(

You really are a hero. She would only have lived a couple days and you had her for two weeks.

Don't let this disuade you from another litter. You had a test by fire and you passed....you cared enough to give your all and no one can ask more of you.

God has her now, which was probly the plan he had.

I to have a cleft pallatte pup...she is three weeks today...and now weighs 12oz (brother and sister weigh 1lb13oz and 1lb10oz) She also has a cleft lip (hair lip). i bottle feed her but am constantly worring that something else is wrong with her...her eyes are open but we are unsure how well she sees...but she is spunky! she runs and actually got out of her box last night by pulling herself over the edge...we also worry about digestive problems...because her stomach swells so much when we feed her...about 1 tablespoon every 3 to 4 hours....

I feel your pain because i could be going through the same thing....I have said a prayer for you and your little one.... So sorry to hear about the loss!!!

I'm really sorry for your loss. Hopefully after some time you may want to do this again. Thoughts are with you...

My goodness...You went thru a lot to save that puppy. That shows your heart. I haven't posted in a long time, but I feel the need to post to you. Stay encouraged, you did well. Like Pat Primrose, I would have put the puppy to sleep because of other complications that develop later in life in lieu of tube feedings. I had a schnauzer puppy once (1st litter for mother) that had cleft palate and I kept it alive for a week before I decided to have it put to sleep. It aspirated, which is likely due to mouth malformations. I missed a lot of work and school trying to keep this baby alive, not to mention the around the clock feedings. And...if you over sleep and hour or so because you're exhausted...the guilt you feel when you find a cold puppy stretched out waiting for you. What a learning experience! I commend you for your effort. If at first you don't succeed...dust yourself off and try again. Nothing beats a failure like another try.

Wow !! Boy, that has to be very hard.. I am so sorry for your loss. Everytime I think I might want to go into breeding another story comes along to knock that thought right out of my head..

I'm so sorry for you loss. I've not been through anything like this. Mollie just had her first litter 10 weeks ago and they were all healthy. I know how hard this has to be I just can't imagine.

I would think the chances of this happening the next time would be slim but I'm not sure I'm no expert.

So sorry for your loss,
sending hugs your way!!
(((((((k. deem)))))))