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<<< Quote: Cataholic: Also is there a way for you to get some milk from a momma dog right after she has puppies and give her some of that?>>> You know, I had actually thought about doing that... in fact, I've been trying all day to get a hold of the kids who have Emma's mom - thinking that maybe we could express some colostrum for her, even though she can't nurse. No luck reaching them, so I thought the same about another female who may have just very recently had pups - - but I don't know of anyone... :( The vet didn't sound very positive about offering up any suggestions regarding any way to "recoup" that "lost protection" - - nor introduce any type of vitamins / supplements other than giving me the go ahead for use of the BeneBac, Nutrical and the puppy formula. So that's what we're sticking to for now.... I didn't even ask the vet about tube feeding.... that's not something I feel comfortable enough with to risk doing it wrong... it would only take one time and I could wind up causing more damage than good.... So, as long as she's swallowing on her own, I've got to let her keep doing as much for herself as she can.... (and spare myself the trauma of tubing her!!! - - - I know, that sounds so selfish!) :( She's sleeping a lot more tonight than when I got her yesterday evening... of course, yesterday she had been starved for 21 hours.... :( So sleeping, I hope - is a good sign. I got excited about the 3 grams gain.... I weighed her after stimulating her to potty (which she did) and before feeding (2 hours since the previous) - - so 3 grams in a day might not be much, but we'll take it!! My housemate is here in the event I just finally pass out, ha! But as long as I can keep up, I prefer to be the one to watch Emma... just in case, you know? |
You have a beautiful, newborn chi... Your a hero in every sense of the word. I hope things turn out well for Emma. She is lucky to have you as her mommy. She looks like a little fighter too, and so tiny. :animal-pa |
I wouldn't be too worried about the surgeon, they are probably just trying to see what is the best possible approach. It's great to hear that the vet gives her a clean bill of health!!! That's such great news!!!!!!!!!! Brings a smile to my face! Please keep us updated! |
What a wonderful thing you have done for little Emma! I have fed a cleft baby and she is now 3 yrs old and living with my Insurance Agent. I used a syringe since as I got tired, it was harder for me to control the size of the drops of the dropper, and worried that I would drown her. There is some milk replacement that includes colostrum, if you can find that. Good luck, you have some sleepless nights ahead. We will be praying for little Emma and for you to have the strength to care for Emma. |
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You are not a freak! I completely understand, I would be excited too :D Bless your heart for doing this. I hope little Emma thrives! Are you sure you'r gonna be able to part with her? ;) |
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I have to keep focused on the fact that I am ONLY the surrogate mommy here... that this baby is meant for someone special... I don't know who just yet, but if indeed Emma finds her way to stay here in this world with us, then she'll be certain to find the loving forever family that she is so deserving of. I'm just the "middle man" trying to help her get well before she meets her new family... I can't keep this baby..... I just want her to be well....... |
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I'm so in love with Emma! She just tugs at my heart, which I'm sure you can understand why! TeeTee never had mom's milk either and she was ok. My vet too was pushing surgery but I was too scared. Still am. I figured if she is doing fine the way she is...why fix something that isn't broke. So I ignored his constant wants to see her. I used a premie nipple when I bottle fed, even as young as Emma is. Emma is Tiny thats for sure. Tia didn't make it to a pound forever. I fed her round the clock, had someone come to the house while I went to work (when she was younger) and did this for 3-4 months. I didn't sleep in my bed that long cuz I was setting my alarm for every 2 hours! But it was so worth it and I'd do it again! I couldn't part with her...as you can tell :p I will be checking this thread often :) |
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As for the surgery, I think they want to move forward with it early on, because the cleft is so disfiguring as far as her nasal passages and gums... and they want to repair this before her teeth start coming in. (totally guessing on this) If we were to let it go, I can't even imagine how and where exactly, her little teeth would come in..... there'd be no way, with her mouth the way it is currently, that she could grab on to anything... tug on a toy.... pick up food to eat - (she could chew with her back teeth and jaws, but picking up - ripping and tearing, etc. - she couldn't do)..... so I'm inclined to agree that it needs to be done... I just don't know how SOON it needs to be done. |
Awww What a cutie, Im so glad she has you, Shes going to make someone a very Happy mommy some day. best wishes for her and Thanks you for taking the time to help her. |
Just now seeing this thread Oh Dena, girl, you are SUCH a blessing. You truly are. I hope and pray that one day there will be more people in this world like you. You are always trying to help in any way you can, these helpless little creatures, and you are such an angel for doing so. You know, this little girl probably wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you, and I hope you realize just how wonderful you are for giving this little angel baby a chance to survive. I seriously wish that I could give you the biggest hug girl!!! :hug: I will be saying many, many prayers for sweet little Emma, and I will be keeping her in my thoughts. I hope that she continues to eat well and I know that if there is a safe place for her anywhere in this world, it is in your arms. :) I also wanted to say that I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your sons doggie, that is just so incredibly sad and heartbreaking and I am sure that he is just crushed :cry: Maybe he/she in some way sent this little angel to you to make better :) God Bless you girl and please give Emma a tiny kiss on her sweet little nose from my babies and I. She is truly a little doll :hug: |
Wow what a great thread! I don't know anything about Cleft palets but it is really interesting to learn. I really want to follow this thread and find out how she does. She is a little cutie!! I would totally get attached with all the work you are doing for her. From the pictures, she definitly looks like she is getting enough food. She has a nice size puppy belly. I want to wish you and Emma the best of luck and we will keep praying for you. Please keep posting all updates!! |
You are my hero. Keep us posted on Emma's little life. |
Well.... it's the middle of the night again.... <<yawwwwwn>> I'm starting to worry a little about whether Emma is getting enough to eat.... she did SO well last night, but like I said, she hadn't had anything at all for the first 21 hours of her life! But tonight, she's not wanting much of anything at all. She's fighting the dropper... wants nothing to do with the bottle and just wants to sleep. She's not crying... she's plenty warm (not over heated) and when I pinch the skin on the back of her neck, she doesn't appear to be dehydrated at this point... but I can't imagine she can go too awful long like this without getting that way! Glad we're going back to the vet tomorrow..... Last time I got her to take anything at all.... (less than a 1/2 cc) was at 11:30..... and I had to wake her up to do that. I'll try again in another hour ......... let's hope for a better feed!! |
I hope you have really good knews for us after your vet visit tomorrow! Emma has me glued to this thread! |
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:hands: I'm praying for the best. Hopefully she starts eating more. |
wow dena.. bless your heart! you are such a great person, for helping little baby emma!! ;) keeping you guys in my prayers!! hopefully the next update is nothing but good news!! hugs to you dena! and lots of love and well wishes to baby emma! :hug: |
Oh my gosh, I'm going to pray for little Emma! Bless you for taking her in and giving her a fighting chance at life! I hope she makes it and I'm sure there will be another wonderful family that will give her a good home! Please let us know how it goes at the vet! |
Just checking in to see if there's any new updates on Baby Emma yet. Been praying and thinking about her. I hope she work up and ate good for you and is resting and gaining more and more strength. I also hope you're getting some rest as well. |
Hi Dena I have seen cleft palate surgery done on babies as small as emma. The thought is to repair it as soon as possible to prevent aspiration pneumonia or any other problems that might arise because of it. She has a pretty bad cleft going for her and you don't want her to spit up and then choke on her own vomit (sorry for being gross). As long as she's having the surgery done by a board certified surgeon then i would let him do it. i would feel much safer knowing one of them was doing it. |
Just looking for an update on Emma. Hoping she and Mommy got some much needed sleep last nite. Good luck at the Vet. Middleman, shmiddleman - Emma's a keeper;). |
Morning everyone.... so sorry to keep everyone hanging after my last post... I've been in the living room with Emma since her arrival and was just so sleepy early this morning that I thought I'd move her in next to my bed and try to rest in between feedings. Well, the rest part didn't work, haha.... but glad to say that the feedings went a little better. She's doing a lot more spitting though, which bothers me, since that's really the only time I'm concerned about her aspirating... Thanks for posting Kellie. The vets are fabulous and I have no doubts that Emma will be in good hands with the surgeons if that's what they decide to do. It's hard to imagine this tiny little thing going through surgery right now, but I can certainly understand their reasoning. From what you can tell, do you think she has a good chance of a successful procedure? I don't really have much to compare to, since the majority of the clefts that I've been able to find info about online involve the soft palate and are really different all together. Since you're here... what's your take on the long term use of Cephalexin to prevent pneumonia that I mentioned earlier? Here is the website with the information.... would love to know how you feel about this.... Cleft Palate Instructions Thanks everyone, for hanging with me through this! I'll update when we return from the vet! |
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Dena, your doing great with this little one. If anyone can get her threw this it looks like your the angel who can. Poor little one with such a deformity. Only makes her more special. I hope she can be helped in some respect to make her life more comfortable at the least. I hope and pray she continues to do well for you. Being so tiny I can understand why she just wants to sleep. Bless both of you for continued success. |
You are an extrordinary person!! I will be praying for the best for baby Emma!:lovewings |
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