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

[Betty'sMom]

Awww...that lion is adorable!!!!!!!!!

[Beabble]

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

Awwwwwwwww..... a new toy for Emma!!

Look at this sweet lil' lion stuffie that Emma received from Susan!! (Doglover10465) - - - it's precious!!! And Emma LOVES it!! Crawled right up to it and fell fast asleep!!

THANK YOU SUE!!!!

Oh how precious, Emma really seems to like that! SO ADORABLE!

[donnarod]

She surely has a lot of energy, precious.
Who ever gets her will have to have a bedroom just for her and her neat stuff.

[cobird2]

I'd love to know more about what, how, and how much she's eating now.
How much napping does she do?
Does she like to cuddle with you?
Does she "play?"
You can probably figure, I don't know very much about tinies but am fascinated!

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by cobird2

I'd love to know more about what, how, and how much she's eating now.
How much napping does she do?
Does she like to cuddle with you?
Does she "play?"
You can probably figure, I don't know very much about tinies but am fascinated!

Thanks for asking about our girl!!

Well, now that Emma is a little older, she is no longer on the BeneBac (probiotic supplement) that she was on during the first week of her life.

She does still take her Esbilac newborn puppy formula (which I mix with yogurt, for the active cultures - for two of her feedings, daily). She is weighing in at 6.75 ounces this morning - so I have increased her intake to 6cc's (from 5 cc's this past week) per feeding.

Emma is fed with a TINY rubber "tom-cat" catheter inserted orally and passed directly into her stomach.

During the day now - and because I don't want to over feed her - I try to give Emma 6cc's of formula every 3 hours.... sometimes we can only make it to 2 or 2.5 hours and she starts wiggling around to let me know she's ready to eat!

During the night, she gets 6cc's every 3 - 3.5 hours.

Starting Monday, (she'll be 3 weeks old) I will extend the time between feedings to 4 hours both day and night..... the amount of intake will increase as she gains in weight, but time between will stay at 4 hours, likely over the next couple of weeks.

Emma is still on antibiotics.... she gets 1/10 cc Clavamox drops 3 times per day. This is to help prevent infection and pneumonia.

I am hoping that we may be able to cease the use of the antibiotics following this Sunday's consult with the new surgeon.

As well, Emma takes a "rub" (tiny amount rubbed on her gums) of Nutri-cal twice daily.

As for napping....... well, she eats and sleeps the majority of the time.

The time when she is awake - (generally the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning) - she spends snuggling with Mommy (she LOVES to cuddle) - - or "tackling her stuffies"!!!

She loves her little stuffed toys (as they replicate her littermates) - and her activity with them serves as a great benefit to her tiny muscles when she shoves them 'round her crib.... under and over... moving them about..... yes, I do believe this is her "play".

She can see and hear very well now and she'll look up at me when I come to the edge of her crib - - - she'll come over to me as soon as I call her and put my hand out..... she'll look around to where her favorite toys are in her bed and make her way right over to them....

At this point in her development.... as with ANY newborn.... she is very demanding.... Miss Emma wants what she wants WHEN she wants it!! haha.... she is a bit impatient when it comes to feeding time - and I'm certain that this is partly due to the fact that she's missing out on the instinctive desire to nurse and "kneed" - which in and of itself, serves as a relaxation mechanism ... and offers a calming effect... while receiving nourishment....

With tube feeding, although I try to make it as "soft" as an experience for her as I can...... those natural desires are not really met.... so she sometimes gets a bit "frantic" in just GETTING THE FOOD!! Once she realizes her belly is filling up... she calms and the rest of the feeding goes smoothly.

It will be interesting, to say the least.... to watch Emma grow and develop as an "only child".... I am learning more and more each day as to how to "guide" her as her fur mom would have done.... with different growl - hold - and "bite" techniques..... (yes, I growl at her... haha)

[linda44]

Dena will you have to tube her until she is able to have the surgery?

[may]

Dena you're doing such an amazing job with Emma. Thanx for the update; always like to know how Baby Emma's doin.
oh by the way, I love watching her 'play'... i just wish i was there to play with her!

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by linda44

Dena will you have to tube her until she is able to have the surgery?

Yep, I think so.... until the surgery or until she is able to eat solid foods on her own....

[linda44]

but she wont be able to eat solid food will she I mean before shes sewn up? Sorry if Im asking in the wrong way, I just am trying to understand. Wont she asperate (spelling???) then too?

Another question I have. Ive had 3 litters of yorkies and many years ago a litter of great danes. Emma seems since you first started sharing with us, alot more active that puppies Ive had at the same age. Do you think its from not having Mom and siblings so she moves around more to find them, or perhaps chi's are more active as newborns? Just curious. I love watching her move all over, and fall asleep on her back. What a hoot.

[zoeybear]

Loved the vid. She looks like she is doing great.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by linda44

but she wont be able to eat solid food will she I mean before shes sewn up? Sorry if Im asking in the wrong way, I just am trying to understand. Wont she asperate (spelling???) then too?

Another question I have. Ive had 3 litters of yorkies and many years ago a litter of great danes. Emma seems since you first started sharing with us, alot more active that puppies Ive had at the same age. Do you think its from not having Mom and siblings so she moves around more to find them, or perhaps chi's are more active as newborns? Just curious. I love watching her move all over, and fall asleep on her back. What a hoot.

Well, cleft puppies that have not had surgery DO eventually eat on their own.... just have to be extra careful and keep the cleft clear of "debris"...

Yes, there is always risk of aspirating... even with tubing.

Emma is a very active pup.... I think yes, much of it stems from being "out of sorts" without mom and littermates... but then, she only had that "environment" for the first 20 hours of her life.... but it's the natural instinct of seeking out the warmth and contentment of the group...

Another factor may be all of the initial "upset" early on... doctors, surgeries, etc. - - that's enough to make anyone a lil' more nervous than normal, I'd think.

I really have no experience with any of this either, so I'm learning as I go... I've never had chihuahuas so I'm unaware of their normal behaviors...

Wish I had a better response for you... will have to do a bit of research on this.

[linda44]

Thanks Dena, it would be interesting for someone who has had a litter of chi's to tell us. She sure is a cutie pie. I dont envy you when it comes time to find her forever home. I dont think I could do it, not after all you've been thru.

[cobird2]

I am amazed by all that you do!
You've got to be doing all the right things because she's thriving!
I love watching her get around her crib and "play" with her "stuffies."
Hats off to you!!!

[DvlshAngel985]

Thanks Dena for all the details on Miss Emma, and to the OP for asking all the questions I keep forgeting to ask myself.

[ace611]

Wow...Dena you are one busy woman with Miss Emma! People tend to forget all the behind the scenes work that goes into her care...you are such an awesome person!