Oh boy... (actually GIRL) - What have I DONE????

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Morning everyone! (it is still morning, right?)

Wow, whatta' day yesterday was.... I think I'm still feeling the affects!

Glad to know that you enjoyed watching Emma REALLY nurse for the very first time, as much as I did........... She's a little "go getter" and has taken a few minutes with the bottle at each feeding.

I still dropper feed her - as I can tell her mouth is very tender and hurts her when she suckles.... it's also easier for me to tell exactly how much she's getting with the dropper.

She's still not gaining.... in fact... she's still losing....

She's just 92 grams today..... I'm fearful of what I may be doing wrong!!

The vet said to extend the time between feedings from 2 hours to 4 hours... so that she becomes a little more anxious in wait, and more aggressive with the bottle when feeding.

I asked if I should change or add something to her formula, but she says no, because her digestive system is so delicate right now - and she already has loose stools....

She is always pretty content.... while she does wiggle all over the place much of the day when she's awake... she doesn't cry or "root" like she's hungry.

Her tummy is always full and round after feeding.... She's urinating a lot, but she's not dehydrated.... I just don't get it.

[YorkieRose]

can you tube feed her..may save her life?

[nikkinack]

There should be more people in the world like you

[Beabble]

Dena, have you asked any of the breeders here if it's normal for them to lose a bit of weight after they are born? I mean, skin kids do, I wonder if it's normal for furkids? Anyone know? I'd be so afraid to stretch her feedings out, with her being so tiny and young, but I'm no vet so don't listen to me, lol. I'm so glad she's doing well and thriving, I'm sure once her mouth stops hurting she'll be gulping down more formula. Sending tons of love and prayers your and Emmas way.

[yorkieusa]

I don't know how you keep your eyes open! I keep following how Emma is doing.

[Bobble Head]

Just hang in there Dena. Your doing an amazing job!!

I noticed that you said she is quite restless during the day, my breeder always kept all her puppies in a kennel with a blanket over the top of it to block out light. You may want to create more of a den-like atmosphere for her to calm her down.

She's also been through a lot of stress these past 3 days and I'm sure any other puppy that went through as much as she has would be losing weight and having loose stool as well. Try to keep your house very quite, very warm and dark. I'm sure here little body will stabilize shortly.

Hugs

[Bobble Head]

Originally Posted by Bobble Head

Just hang in there Dena. Your doing an amazing job!!

I noticed that you said she is quite restless during the day, my breeder always kept all her puppies in a kennel with a blanket over the top of it to block out light. You may want to create more of a den-like atmosphere for her to calm her down.

She's also been through a lot of stress these past 3 days and I'm sure any other puppy that went through as much as she has would be losing weight and having loose stool as well. Try to keep your house very quite, very warm and dark. I'm sure here little body will stabilize shortly.

Hugs

Just one more thing to add to this... I grew up on a farm/acreage and I've raised 2 litters of bunnies, 2 litters of puppies, 2-3 litters of kittens. I know in the first few weeks of their lives we wouldn't move them around to much and we really tried to keep their atmosphere den-like and quiet.

I just didn't want to seem like I was stepping on your toes or suggesting something that you may not have even asked about. I just wanted to tell you about my experiences.

I think you are doing an amazing job!!

[Cookie2]

I was scared of the idea of tubefeeding my puppy but I would have done it if mom's hormones wouldnt have kicked in and started nursing.
She is very tiny ,maybe ask the vet if she could show you how to tubefeed. Maybe seeing the actual process in person may ease your fears.It's not the same as when you see an explaination on a monitor and see it live infront of you. If there's anyone who could do this ,it's you
Maybe Pat (yorkierose) can give a better suggestion as to how much to feed her? As I've been reading it's 1cc per oz of bodyweight...so you might be able to try at least 2.5cc I know its way more difficult with a dropper.


Genie

[Onni]

What a testimony to the greatness of God and the the biggness of your heart and the vets! I pray that God will continue many blessings for both you and Emma. This has been such a heart wrenching/warming story!

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

I could tube feed her if I absolutely HAD to.... but I'm so afraid of hurting her.... I've had to do it before a few times - and didn't have any problems... but never with a baby of Emma's small size.

The thing is though, is that she doesn't seem hungry.... her belly is full after feedings and she is content - no crying - she just closes up her tiny mouth and when she's done... she's done!

I'd hate to tube feed her - - force feed her.... if what she's taking is really all she's able to handle.

Tracy - I know you're right about newborn skin babies... but in my experience, furbutts are a little different in that aspect. (at least the majority of the pups I've had) - - normally a newborn pup will nurse and thrive immediately - gaining each day....

I tend to agree with you on the time between feedings.... but since she is not sickly or weak - she is able to let me know when she needs to eat... so if I TRY to stretch the feedings out - but she starts showing me that she's not happy with that, I'll certainly go ahead and give her what she wants...
(I'm guessing this will only be the BEGINNING of giving this angel WHATEVER she wants!! haha!)

As for creating a den like atmosphere... thanks for that! And I'm sure you're right... but under the circumstances, I think our little set up is working for Emma.

I totally agree with you on quiet, dark, warm and den-like.... with a normal litter, that would be the most natural environment. But..... a normal litter, has a mama in there to tend to ALL of baby's needs.... littermates to snuggle with... really no need for "human intervention".... all of baby's needs are being met by her mom - who knows EXACTLY what to do....

THIS mom.... doesn't..... and if I can't SEE her.... I'm not comfortable.

Now I know.... it's not supposed to be about MY comfort.... but if I'm a crazed lunatic - then I can't be a very good Mommy.

As for dark..... I've been thinking about that actually..... because right now, she's blind and deaf.... but I have a heat lamp on her. With as much as she moves around, the warmers under the covers weren't doing much good... the heat lamp is working out beautifully, BUT - once she opens her eyes, we may have to figure something else out for that.... I'm sure she wouldn't be happy in constant light.... (it would bother her, wouldn't it??) - then again... if she doesn't know any better..... <<sigh>> (decisions, decisions) - - -

Anyway, I do thank you for sharing your experience though!

[DvlshAngel985]

I think in one of Breny's responses she mentions how her Tia fluxuated in weight. I can't find it right now, but if it really worries you, ask the vet for their opinion. Force feeding would make me uncomfortable also....
Overall, YOU'RE DOING AN AMAZING JOB!!!!

[Breny]

I was advised to use a higher calorie formula. I never used a store bought formula while i raised Tia. I made her formula and it had more calories per CC than store bought.

She had days where she lost as well. Please dont give up hope!!!!

Plus with the surgery yesterday HAD to be a big big trauma for her and I think a drop could have been expected.

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

Morning everyone! (it is still morning, right?)

Wow, whatta' day yesterday was.... I think I'm still feeling the affects!

Glad to know that you enjoyed watching Emma REALLY nurse for the very first time, as much as I did........... She's a little "go getter" and has taken a few minutes with the bottle at each feeding.

I still dropper feed her - as I can tell her mouth is very tender and hurts her when she suckles.... it's also easier for me to tell exactly how much she's getting with the dropper.

She's still not gaining.... in fact... she's still losing....

She's just 92 grams today..... I'm fearful of what I may be doing wrong!!

The vet said to extend the time between feedings from 2 hours to 4 hours... so that she becomes a little more anxious in wait, and more aggressive with the bottle when feeding.

I asked if I should change or add something to her formula, but she says no, because her digestive system is so delicate right now - and she already has loose stools....

She is always pretty content.... while she does wiggle all over the place much of the day when she's awake... she doesn't cry or "root" like she's hungry.

Her tummy is always full and round after feeding.... She's urinating a lot, but she's not dehydrated.... I just don't get it.

[Breny]

Dena- this is the rcipe I raised Tia on. she never had anything else for like 3 1/2 to 4 months (I can't remember) but it took forever to get her to weigh 1 pound and to get her to eat on her own.

Bottle Feeding Recipe

11 Calories per CC

10 oz. of canned evaporated milk or goat's milk (not pasteurized cow's milk - this will cause scowers - dogs cannot drink normal cow's milk) Goats milk is by far the best to use. Wall Mart sells it. I USED EVAPORATED MILK!!!)


3 oz. sterilized water (baby water or boiled water) this is not needed if using goat's milk (i DID NOT ADD WATER)


1 raw egg yolk


1 cup of whole yogurt (avoid skim or fat free if at all possible)


1/2 Tsp Karo Syrup or Corn Syrup (NOT HONEY !!!)

****If you cannot find Karo or Corn syrup where you live, you can do a Google search for “substitute for Karo syrup” and get some options.****

When I Googled “substitute for Karo syrup" here is what I came up with- 1 c Karo can be subbed with 1 c white sugar and 1/4 c hot water (cook it to dissolve in the water best you can get it to. Depending on the recipe, if you need the sugar to be completely dissolved you might need to add a bit more water).

Place ingredients in a blender and blend or use a wire whisk. Be careful to not over blend and create a milk shake full of bubbles.

Keep cool and discard leftovers after 7 days.

[ace611]

oh i just read the whole story! congrats on her doing soooo well! it really was a heartwarming story...bless you for taking her in! i still think you have to keep her!

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by Breny

Dena- this is the rcipe I raised Tia on. she never had anything else for like 3 1/2 to 4 months (I can't remember) but it took forever to get her to weigh 1 pound and to get her to eat on her own.

Yes, I saw this one one of your threads about Tia.... thank you for reminding me about it!

Should any type of other vitamins or supplements be added? Baby vitamin drops... anything?

Could her current formula replace the goat's milk and then add in the other ingredients in order to still get the vitamins already in the formula?

(does that make sense?)