hi,my bitch has whelped her first litter 4 1/2 weeks ago. her milk is starting to diminish but her pups still want to feed frantically off her but then after the feed the puppies are being sick and sounds like their chests are rattling. does anyone kn ow what this is ? she`s not that bothered about spending time with them apart from when i need to feed them.she dosent play with them. should i keep her away from the pups ? any advice would be appriciated. thanks.

> should i keep her away from the pups ?

No, this is the natural weaning process, she should be able to come and go to them as she pleases.  You may find that she will do more with them when they hit 6 to 8 weeks on the play and discipline front.

I'm assuming that you are letting then feed off Mum after you have fed them?  so it could be some are just being too greedy, though the chesty sounds would concern me and I would see the vet.

I have had this too. I fed the puppies and let mom top up. A few did bring back a bit of milk and food, so I guessed they'd just had too much for their stomachs.

No rattly chests though, I would get this checked in case they are starting with a chest infection

their chests dont rattle at all unless they feed off their mother. the puppies wont settle unless they see their mam before they feed so im letting her feed them first ONLY because they are sick as soon as they leave her teats so when they have done with that i let the mother out of the kitchen then put their puppy food down. then let mam back in to clean them up if she wants to. is this right. im not totally clueless but its my first time and dont trust my vet very much. they told me to put them on to rusks with milk replacer and a bowl of soaked food aswell but thats mixing food types and it just gave them the runs. (ive got them back to normal now)  im worried im keeping her away from them too much because im worried about the rattle noise when they feed only from her.. any help thanks.

Are you perhaps confusing the noise of suckling, they gulp and grunt quite a lot at this age whilst feeding, especially when standing.

I don't keep my girls away from their pups at all, unless they want to be away from them, only taking them out while I give pups their food.

> their chests dont rattle at all unless they feed off their mother. the puppies wont settle unless they see their mam before they feed so im letting her feed them first ONLY because they are sick as soon as they leave her teats

Do you mean that they only rattle after feeding from mum and that then they regurgitate some of the milk - if that is so, it is because they are suckling too fast and they then rattle until they have regurgitated the excess milk.   At this age when they are mobile they get it off their chests, it is usually only when the are fairly immobile that any excess milk stays on the chest, because they are not moving around they then go down with a chest infection.   If they had a chest infection you would know because they would stop feeding, and curl up and sleep, and would be difficult to rouse.

I would give them their puppy porridge first, then let them feed off mum, they might not be so greedy.   Rusks always gives pups the runs.

thanks to every one for replying i think dogsdinner hit the nail on the head. maybe im worrying to much. my pups are very active,and eat brilliant,poo and pee like there is no tomorrow. i had a problem with them screaming every hour but ive put them in the sitting room with me and they have had propper rest all day. . i appriciate it thank you.