One baby not gaining weight - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Laura · 05-25-2005, 10:57 AM

My babies are three days old. Four of the Five are great and have each gained about 2 oz each. The other seems just fine, but he still acts like a newborn, more flailing around with his arms and unstable. He might have gained 1/2 oz or maybe none, he has not lost. I have spoken to a couple of girls who are most helpful, and he has an appt tomorrow for tail docking.

I have been attempting to give him a goat milk supplement to see if I could strengthen him a little, remember he now has four ox's to fight for the teat, but it seems like they latch on with a suction cup mouth, and he gently drinks out of the tip, mom gives him a lick and he has to start the whole search process over. I have taken the two of them to my bed and steadied his head to catch one; I have tried to feed him with a bottle - he wont suck it; I have dripped milk from both a syringe and an eyedropper, he seems to just let it sit in his mouth and doesn't like it.

So, (deep breath) should I try to force feed him, or leave him alone as long as he is not loosing weight?

whispersmom2 · 05-25-2005, 11:15 AM

Has your vet checked the tiny baby for cleft palate/lip? How large is his soft spot-fontanel? Any heart murmurs? X-ras might show if the baby has a problem with his esophagus, So often, these tinies are that small because of a physical problem..maybe he needs to be tube fed. Ask your vet to show you how. I personally would have that baby to the vet PDQ for full exam. Sounds like he might have a congenital problem to be dealt with. And, I would think twice about having his tail docked unless the vet does it and can keep him and watch him for a few hours. These babies can go down in a manner of minutes.
I am not trying to scare you, but I have no idea how much knowledge you have or have access to, in ref to problems in these tiny Yorkie puppies.

Laura · 05-25-2005, 11:51 AM

I am taking them to my vet to have their tails docked at 2:30 tomorrow. I do appreciate your advice. You are not scaring me, but the pup does have me worried. I have not raised puppies in 20 years, and they were american eskimo's. This puppy was 4 oz at birth, one sister was also 4 oz, she is now 6. Do you think I should take him in today? I really do want him to be okay.

whispersmom2 · 05-25-2005, 12:05 PM

Yes, I would suggest you go ahead and take him. If he were to worsen during the night, where would you take him? And at what price? If you take him and the vet says he is fine, maybe he would go ahead and dock his tail and you wouldn't have to traumatize him twice...
Let us know how he is doing..GOOD LUCK!!

Laura · 05-27-2005, 06:08 PM

Thanks for your help. The little one has still gained only one oz, the others have each gained 4 oz. They make him look so small. He is still able to suckle and I am just putting Zowie and baby on my bed to have extra meals without the big ox's shoving him around. He does not really latch on very well. The vet docked their tails yesterday and thought that he looked fine and to keep feeding him separately 4-5 times a day.

ReconsMomma · 05-27-2005, 06:15 PM

Glad to hear that the vet thinks that he is fine. I hope everything turns out well for him. Good luck to you with your babies.

05-25-2005, 10:57 AM	#1
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	One baby not gaining weight My babies are three days old. Four of the Five are great and have each gained about 2 oz each. The other seems just fine, but he still acts like a newborn, more flailing around with his arms and unstable. He might have gained 1/2 oz or maybe none, he has not lost. I have spoken to a couple of girls who are most helpful, and he has an appt tomorrow for tail docking. I have been attempting to give him a goat milk supplement to see if I could strengthen him a little, remember he now has four ox's to fight for the teat, but it seems like they latch on with a suction cup mouth, and he gently drinks out of the tip, mom gives him a lick and he has to start the whole search process over. I have taken the two of them to my bed and steadied his head to catch one; I have tried to feed him with a bottle - he wont suck it; I have dripped milk from both a syringe and an eyedropper, he seems to just let it sit in his mouth and doesn't like it. So, (deep breath) should I try to force feed him, or leave him alone as long as he is not loosing weight? __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

05-25-2005, 11:51 AM	#3
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	I am taking them to my vet to have their tails docked at 2:30 tomorrow. I do appreciate your advice. You are not scaring me, but the pup does have me worried. I have not raised puppies in 20 years, and they were american eskimo's. This puppy was 4 oz at birth, one sister was also 4 oz, she is now 6. Do you think I should take him in today? I really do want him to be okay. __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

05-27-2005, 06:08 PM	#5
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	Thanks for your help. The little one has still gained only one oz, the others have each gained 4 oz. They make him look so small. He is still able to suckle and I am just putting Zowie and baby on my bed to have extra meals without the big ox's shoving him around. He does not really latch on very well. The vet docked their tails yesterday and thought that he looked fine and to keep feeding him separately 4-5 times a day. __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

05-25-2005, 11:15 AM	#2
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	Has your vet checked the tiny baby for cleft palate/lip? How large is his soft spot-fontanel? Any heart murmurs? X-ras might show if the baby has a problem with his esophagus, So often, these tinies are that small because of a physical problem..maybe he needs to be tube fed. Ask your vet to show you how. I personally would have that baby to the vet PDQ for full exam. Sounds like he might have a congenital problem to be dealt with. And, I would think twice about having his tail docked unless the vet does it and can keep him and watch him for a few hours. These babies can go down in a manner of minutes. I am not trying to scare you, but I have no idea how much knowledge you have or have access to, in ref to problems in these tiny Yorkie puppies.

05-25-2005, 12:05 PM	#4
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	Yes, I would suggest you go ahead and take him. If he were to worsen during the night, where would you take him? And at what price? If you take him and the vet says he is fine, maybe he would go ahead and dock his tail and you wouldn't have to traumatize him twice... Let us know how he is doing..GOOD LUCK!!

05-27-2005, 06:15 PM	#6
ReconsMomma BANNED! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Janesville WI Posts: 2,483	Glad to hear that the vet thinks that he is fine. I hope everything turns out well for him. Good luck to you with your babies.