Hi, was looking for a bit of advice. This is my bitch's first litter and mine also. She had an easy labour and has 5 lovely puppies but over the past 2 days they seem to be crying and pulling a lot on her teats when they go for a feed. I think she may not have enough milk. Pups seem to be gaining weight ok but seem distressed when trying to feed. Any advice would be appreciated.

Is your bitch getting enough fluids herself, she needs these to produce milk, there is a thread running on this subject:

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/112641.html#fp

How often are you feeding Mum and is she taking plenty of fluids herself?  I feed my Mum 5 - 6 times per day when she is feeding pups and also vary her diet with plenty of protein i.e chicken/white fish.

Have you checked Mum's 'milk supply'?

hi wendy, not really sure how to check mums milk supply - have tried to gently squeeze her teats only a spot of milk came out of some, nothing came out of a couple. Have tried to get her to have more fluids but its very hard as she will hardly take any, tried to syringe some water into her mouth but she was'nt having any of it.  I'm having to hand feed her 4 -5 times a day things like chicken breast, lamb, steak as shes a fussy eater anyway but seems worse now shes had her pups. Thinking of taking mum and pups to my vet tommorrow as i'm very worried. Thanks for your help, its very much appreciated.

Hi, cocopop, thanks for the link, found it very useful.

hi tracey dont worry to much about mum not eatting to much at mo my girl didnt eat very well till about 10 days after pups were born and then i still had to hand feed her !!
but she drank loads and whelpy milk mixed with water and this kept her going when she didnt feel like eating ....she will soon want to eat sometimes it can take mum about 12/14 days before she starts eating .....she is still geting over having them :)

good luck xx

When I get a bitch not drinking enough, I put Evaporated milk in her water - makes them drink a lot more.

How are Mum & Pups today?  Has the Vet checked them over?

It is common for the Mum to go off her food for the first 10 days or so but i have managed to get over this by feeding chicken/rice & white fish/rice whilst she is in the whelping box with pups.  Also keep offering her water.  She should have fluids in order to produce the milk.

Hi thanks for everyones advice, tried the evaporated milk and it works a treat! Also had tilly to the vet yesterday and she had mastitis in one of her teats so shes on antibiotics for a week. Been offering her the evaporated milk diluted with water, from a spoon and she definately drinking more this way.  Pups seem ok i.e. not as restless and the vet said that tilly has plenty of milk so hopefully things should be ok now. I'll keep my fingers crossed, thanks again everyone.

add a drop of warm water with the puppy milk or evap  rather than cold they seem to drink more this way.She just needs a bit of pampering especially if she has mastitis . Poor love hope it clears up soon.

Hope Mum starts to feel better now x

how is mum today ? feeling alot better i hope!! x

Hi, mums a lot better thanks but think pups might be a bit constipated.

are pups getting ready for worming ? i had this problem with last litter !!!