Hello
My beautiful litter finally came early hours on Tuesday morning. One of the little girls has not put on any weight since arriving, she was born a healthy 11oz for my breed. She is very active, and feeding from mum as much as the others, but still not putting on any weight. The other pups now look more 'sturdy' and have little bellies, she does not. Please can anyone help me with any reasons and suggestions on how i can help her?

I hope she is OK. I lost 2 in the first week but they were born smaller than the others. Are yoo saying no weight at all since birthdespite feeding normally?

Yes - no weight at all. I am watching her like a hawk and putting her onto mum on her own as well as with the others. I am so very worried. She is very active and pushes her way through to the milk bar so i don't feel she is not getting a look in from the others.

Has she been checked over by a vet for things like Cleft Palate? So although she's not gained weight, she's not lost any either??  If so, then I would be inclined to top her up just to give her a boost.

My current litter is 4 weeks old. One pup was a lot smaller than the others, and at first she did not gain weight, then she started losing it. I then did what I do with kittens when the same happens to them (I have been breeding cats for well over 30 years, so more experience of them as I've only bred dogs for 11), I started giving her top up feeds of milk (Welpi) and I added antibiotics to the milk in case there was an infection brewing anywhere in the body. When pups or kittens are born, it is very easy for germs to enter via the umbilical cord before it has dried up, and that's how infections often gets into them. For my pup it did the trick and after the first day already she was putting on weight at the same rate as her two bigger siblings. She's still smaller than them, but she's strong and fit and not abnormally small.

Thanks Sharon - I will start topping her up today. I have checked for cleft palates as i have had experience of one before and can't see anything, Thats not to say there isn't something further down that i can't see.  I'll start wilth the top ups and see how she goes.

Thanks also Goldmali for your help. We are so worried.

I would do the same topping up. Is it possible for some reason she is not getting enough nourishment from Mum. Also is worms a problem. Just thinking of anything that could be a possibility. Hope she picks up soon.

No weight gain today. Have been topping up only since yesterday, day and night. She latches onto mum and looks like she is taking in milk, but there must be something wrong. She looks very thin compared to the others. Mum was wormed from day 40 of pregnancy - do you think it is possible that she could have worms? If so what should i do? She is very lively and is very slowly taking to the bottle - most of it goes on me! Waiting for vet to call me back as we are obviously very worried.

I would do what you are doing and get her to the vet as soon as possible. WHen I have had a problem with a puppy over the years I have known in my heart of hearts there was a real problem and then the puppy has gone down hill quickly. I am not sure what the advice would be if it was worms and I suppose if I am honest not sure why one puppy would have a worm burden and also it might be pot bellied.
Hopefully you will get her to the vet and they will be able to offer some help.
Sorry I am not much help but those I have lost are usually not latching on or keen to take on any liquid and then leads to dehydration .
Hope it is good news.

Been to vet this afternoon and he could not find any signs of cleft palate that i may have missed further down. Had a good check all over and can see nothing obvious. Advised to carry on with extra feeds and monitor in a few days.

If ever I have any problem with a pup my Vet always gives me Synulox drops to be on the safe side. May be the best option, just in case of an infection.

Yes I would be demanding Synulox. There doesn't have to be anything visibly wrong for there to be an infection.

Well for a puppy not to have put on any weight, I am really surprised the vet has not suggested more? Think I might ask for a 2nd opinion. When they are so tiny, everything can go down so rapidly. She should have put on some weight by now?

Have another appointment tomorrow at vet - will ask about Synulox. Today we have weighed again now losing weight although i am topping up with bottle as well. Have noticed also milk around nose alot today after feeding from mum. When i am feeding her she seems to be gagging and choking even on the smallest amount going in. Will be a week old tomorrow with no weight gain. I have been watching her closely when she latches on to see if she has the whole teat in her mounth and has the sucking action right. How can she be feeding so much from mum and my top ups and have no weight gain. So very worried about her. Will see what vet says tomorrow.

I am sorry to hear that. I hate to be downbeat but this is not in any way normal and does not look good at all. I hope the visit to the vet turns up something for you.

I think we know in our hearts the reality of the situation. My tears are welling up as i write this. So very sad.

Is she pooing to indicate the milk is actually reaching her whole gut? She may have a blockage or some metabolic problem that isn't allowing her to take nourishment from the food and just keeping her hydrated.

I hope the vet comes up with a diagnosis/solution for you

Any news? Hope you are OK.

Thank you for asking Hazenaide. Well she is still with us - Still feeding from mum and topping up from me. Weighed today has put on 4oz since Saturday with no milk coming from nose. Are we turning a corner? - I don't know, but i do know that i can't give up on her when she's boisterous, active and feeding. Vet still says lungs and heart are sound and he cannot feel any abnormality in her stomach. Also no signs of cleft palate. Fingers crossed our little lady keeps going strong - one day at a time.

When I had a pup in this situation (feeding from Mum, getting topped up with enough to have a pup gain) and no gain I had her Put to sleep at 11 days as there was obviously something stopping the nutrients being absorbed.

the vet and I agreed that even if she survived chances were she would probably not be normal and likely to have health issues that would show up later.

>Fingers crossed our little lady keeps going strong - one day at a time.

Glad to hear it. Puppies can be up and down in the early days and it doesn't always mean there's a big problem. Quite right not to give up on her, all the best with her.

Hi
SO glad to hear and lets hope things continue in the right direction for her. I know how hard you must be working for her so hope it has a good result in the end..

> has put on 4oz since Saturday

That is definitely on the up then

Update - Today we had our little lady put to sleep. We named her Ivy as she had grown on us massively and was in our hearts.
We thought we had turned a corner with her, she reached 24oz in total, eyes opened and up wobbling on her little legs. I was topping up day and night. but she started to make such more noises when feeding from mum and the bottle. I have been speaking to the vet on the phone every few days about her progress and at one point we thought she was going to be ok. Then today the noise was awful, so returned to vet for a listen to her chest and lungs. It was not good news.
When the vet administered the injection, she cried so much and i broke my heart. I will never forget that moment ever. I cuddled her to my face until she stopped breathing. Devestated tonight.
Thank you to everyone who previously posted advice. It was much appreciated.

So sorry for your loss RIP Ivy

I hope the others are doing well.

I'm so sorry you lost your little girl . I've only ever lost a puppy within the first 24 hours and I was broken hearted , you must be feeling so much worse after all you have done for her . You gave her the best chance , it's hard but she must be needed over rainbow bridge . Another star shining brighter in the sky tonight x
Sleep tight little Ivy x

Thank you Rhodach. Yes - the others are chubby, chunky and gorgeous and feeding really well. They are 3 weeks old today and still sleeping next to my bed. It doesn't get better than waking up in the morning and having sets of beautiful blue eyes all staring at you, waiting for a cuddle and a change of fleecy blanket!
Jusy really sad tonight.

So sorry to hear that news. I had been thinking about her in th eback of my mind and hoped as no news it was going OK.
I've been there a few times myself so know how devestating it is but hopefully the other pups will keep you going. RIP Ivy X

So very sorry to hear this :( RIP Ivy xx

sorry to hear the news - she will be running free now (and I love the name Ivy too) x

So very sorry for your loss :(

im so so sorry for your loss at 3weeks iv always bonded with the litter ...r.i.p little 1 and i hope you are feeling alittle better i realy feel for you so sad! xx

I'm still welling up with tears. Went to work for a few hours last night (OH on duty) hoping no one would ask me how the puppys were as i think i would have broken down! Not only do we go through losing our babies and them not being there in the box, but also the actual putting to sleep and hearing them cry before they fall asleep forever. The vet said as she was so small the injection had to go into her tummy which must have been so painful - perhaps i am too pathetic, but i wanted her to be as close to me as possible thats why i cuddled her into my face before she finally left me.
I have four beautiful puppies still with me (all spoken for), but i'm still grieving. I think it is because i spent all my time watching, feeding and praying she would get better. Bottle feeding every couple of hours day and night can be exhausting, but we would do anything for our babies wouldn't we?
Thank again for all your support.

So sad to hear of your loss, not sure if it helps any but my lab deteriorated so fast bythe time we got to the vets they could not get a vein for her and had to inject her stomach and although it took longer than normal it did not seem to cause her any pain.

no way are you being pathetic its heart breaking and death is death you have to greave to move on i had to do the same only ever once and pray i never have to do it again it broke me into 2 so i understand many here will have gone thru it at some point :( i think only cold hearted ppl wouldnt care and thats not people on here ,well iv not read any to be like that if you need to cry then cry get it out (((hugs)))x

I am so so sorry to read this. Just when you start to feel safe.

So sorry to hear about your wee pup and your pain. You're a real star for the time, love and attention you gave that little baby, you did everything you could and gave her the very best chance. I hope you're not beating yourself up and hope you can take solace from the fact you did everything you or anybody could.  Take lots of deep breaths, your tears and pain will becoming less over time. Enjoy your four babies and their clever mum. Xxx