Hello had to take my girl to the vets this morning because she seemed very off colour, we thought it was ecampsia. The vet thinks she has a dead puppy inside. The others are 6 days old today. She has to stay in for more tests and possibly an operation to remove the dead puppy if there is one. I now have to hand rear the puppies but they''re not at all interested in feeding. They are all hungry and crying but will not take the bottle or syringe. I hand reared a litter last year but they was not like this to feed. I dont know what to do. Shall I force feed them with the syringe. They are a toy breed so tube feeding is not reccommended. If my girl has to have an op to remove the dead puppy whats the survival rate? As Im really worried.

I am trying to feed the puppies (6days old) with Royal Canin Babydog milk. None of the puppies will take it. None will suckle on the bottle. I can manage to feed about half a ml per feed using a syringe but I assume this is not enough for them to survive. The biggest weighs 272g. Smallest 143g. They seem to dislike the taste should I change brands of the milk?

If you have the confidence tube feeding is the best way, quicker and you know that they pup has had the amount you meant it to have, it also gives you more time for the toileting arrangements that are so very important.

Keep going and persevere, they should take it eventually.
I had to hand feed with a syringe a toy pup for 4 weeks as she was very small and weak. I used Lactol.
Someone on here told me to dip my little finger in glucose pdwr and gently rub it on the roof of the pups mouth, the taste encourages them to suckle which in turn makes it easier to bottle feed.
It is hard work but well worth it.
Fingers crossed they take to the bottle or syringe.

Sorry to hear that.

Do you know how to toilet them before feeding?  That can put them off if their bowls haven't been opened.  You have to do it for them.

Good luck and fingers well crossed for you all. xx

Not sure if you know but the royal canin (larger size teat) has different flow rates.
Ive hand reared many pups indeed Ive just finished 2 litters,hard work but well worth it.

If you dont know if you use the larger teat which I personally is the only teat I would use as its more like moms teats
if you look around the edge there are 3 different size rings engraved into the latex,for fastest flow keep the largest ring to the top
slowest is the smallest ring to the top.
you could add a little honey to keep sugar levels up and sweeten the milk,its never done any of ours any harm.

KaneFizz

Having the same size dogs as you, I would say that the majority of teats I have found, are just not suitable.  And I must have tried about every hand rearing jobby on the market!

The most successful for my tiny tots came from PAH and is cheap.  It's made by Sherley's and is in a green box.  The teats are the best I have ever found for tiny little mouths.

I believe thay only cost me a couple of quid.  I was so pleased that I went out and bought 3 more boxes, just in case I needed extra teats.  And so I could have bottles in the steriliser.

I won't tube feed mine either, they are so tiny that vets worry in case they get it in the lungs. 

I have my fingers crossed for your girl.  Sending you positive vibes.   Jean