Last year I bought a tub of NutroLac as a 'just in case' my pups needed it item. They didn't, but they had it once they started weaning. They, mum and my other dogs all enjoyed it.

So, for this year's litter I bought another big tub, 'just in case'. Sadly this time I have had to help with the feeding of my pups. However, I have yet to have the confidence to try the NutroLac. After a visit to the vet last Friday I bought away some Welpi - it contained clear instructions on mixing rates, temperature of water and what quantities I should be expecting the pups to take at different ages (they were 1 week at this stage). When that was running out I bought some Lactol as I could get some easily, again, good clear instructions about mixing rates/temperatures and amounts pups might take.

Now we come to the NutroLac. I have 2 big tubs (I know they wont be wasted), but ...

there are no guidelines about temperature to mix it up (I know that this is going to be body temp, but I'd sort of liked the label to tell me this)
no indications as to how much you'd expect a pup to take at each feed (this I now know 'cause the Welpi and Lactol labels have clearly told me)
considerably less powder mass to water volume than both Welpi and Lactol

It's the first time I've had to feed young pups ... is there anyone out there who has used NutroLac on 1 or 2 week old pups and can assure me that it is absolutely fine to use on this age range and to mix at a mere 50g per 1 pint water? (compared with 116g to a pint and 145g per pint).

I have even contacted Animal Health, they basically stated that the mix is as per the label, and I could use warm or cold water - this latter info didn't exactly instil me with confidence given I told them they were young pups! However, I may well have spoken with the cleaner for all I know :-o

If no one can give me an assurance then I'll go off and buy some more Welpi or Lactol, but I've already paid nearly £50 for a product that I'd like to use but only if it's going to do as good a job as the other products in terms of the growth and development of the pups.

Many thanks and look forward to responses.

I've used Nutrolac for the last few litters, only once as a milk replacement though. I just follow the guidelines on the label and use boiled water from the kettle. It seems to mix OK with hot water, though haven't tried it with cold. Of course it has to then cool before use. If you're not happy about using it for your pups, I expect your bitch would like it, and your pups can have it later on while weaning.

I don't know about quantities, it probably depends on your breed. I saw something on here recently from someone with Chis, maybe 6ml at a time for a newborn.

What did the Whelpi/Lactol instructions say as regards amount per feed?

> 50g per 1 pint water? (compared with 116g to a pint and 145g per pint).
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That is correct.. Nutrolac is a denser thicker based feed

Lactol has changed it's composition recently too, and the new formula requires more powder to the pint.

I haven't used Nutrolac so can't help, but would just like to ask how your girl is now?

She's doing really well, thank you. In fact you wouldn't think there had ever been anything wrong with her :-o Only problem now is eating, she refuses kibble, with everything in it, she is eating porridge cooked in chicken stock, she's refusing your wonderful gruel mix at the moment. She's wanting liver, liver, liver ... so she's getting it! Plus lots of other lovely raw and cooked meats, and eggs, and spinach and anything to keep her eating so that she can carry on recovering and feeding her babes.

I bought another tub of Lactol, though having read Kayc's reply, I think I'll feed once a day with each. The pups are doing very well, I'm much more happy with the weight they're gaining now than this time last week and beginning of the week.

So pleased to hear that she and the babies are doing well. Such a worry.