My bitch had a c.section yesturday and had six puppies 31/2 ozs to 51/2 ozs i'm feeding them with a small srynge and they are taking the lactol milk well 20 to 40 mm every 3 hours they are not crying and bellies seem ok my pug doesn't have any milk we have been told to massage her teats but nothing there any tips or advise would be appreciatedAnnemarie/puggeld

If you are not doing so I would suggest allowing the pups to attempt to suckle and so stimulate her into letting down her milk. Obviously you would need to oversee this very carefully as she must be shocked and upset after the operation. It is important that they get some colostrum from their mother.

I agree with dogsbody try to let them suckle . Also are you toileting them or is the bitch doing this ?

P.s I'm not being in anyway funny but you are not allowed to name your breed when you have a litter it is in the terms and conditions :)

thanks for that we are putting the pups on but they aren't satisfied so not much their at present we will continue to do this at some of the feeds but having six to feed every 3hours you don't seem to of fed them plus made up fresh feed  and changed soiled bedding then your starting again i suppose i will get into a better routine soon.Annemarie /puggeld

thanks for reminding me i forgot  brain not working lack of sleep for last few nights as she's been pacing around most of the night.Annemarie/puggeld

keep putting the pups with her frequently, or if possible leave them with her, as the sucking stimulates the hormones in the brain to let the milk down. No doubt having failed to whelp naturally the hormones that would have triggered milk production did not get activated. I'm afraid sleepless nights and repetitve feeding and cleaning are all part of the delights of dog breeding when things don't go as expected.

I don't know what others do but when I hand reared a litter I had to feed every 2 hours , mine were a giant breed and it was continuous but so worth it in the end , that was a few years ago.
Have you got anyone to help you ? It can be a hard time .

Get someone to teach you how to tube feed them, it reduces the likelyhood of pneumonia ( if done correctly) also it can be done in a fraction of the time giving you sometime to sleep in between feeds. Where do you live, someone on here may have the expertise near to you.

Hi thanks for posting  your response i live in Heywood in Lancashire not far from Manchester it would be a lot better i'm sure so if there's anyone who thinks they could offer me some advise on this i'd be grateful.Annemarie/puggeld

I've tried to feed them every two hours but they don't seem interested and don't feed well as i'm waking them up to do thisremembering that these are toy dogs has anyone hand reared any toy dogs advise much appreciated as i won't to do right by them to give them the best chance of survival.Annemarie/puggeld

Have you pm'd gwen?  she is expert with the breed and looking after poorly babes.  Are the pups with Mum? 

The breed are known for not being the best of mothers so trying to encourage maternal bonding is important.

Sorry Annemarie, Im in the deep south but Im asking around.
Best wishes.

Ive sent you a Private message with someone in the midlands who can help.

Thanks for that did try to ring them last night about nine  but no one in left aswerphone message to call me back. unfortunately two of the puppies died in the night how cruel nature is letting a bitch go through having her puppies then not giving her the means to feed them i feel so helpless i've fed them every two hours by first putting them on lilly then giving them the shringe what more can i do hearrtbroken Annemarie/puggeld

Keep trying Chris, her husband should be there.

How warm are they? Are are you and/or the bitch helping them pee and poo?

yes a bit of both me and lilly as i have to watch her carefully as very rough with them made one of the embilicals bleed as woulddn't leave it.

they are at a constant temp of 70 - 80 degrees

Sorry to read that things didn't go to plan and 2 pups have died.

I have to agree that tube feeding is easier and more reliable as no feed is drbbling out of their mouths, second choice would be bottle feeding as that keeps up their natural instinct for feeding from Mum before you feed them as her milk will only come in depending on the demand from the pups.

The vet can also give an injection to help let the milk come in, some give it routinely post c/section.

Hope things settle down soon