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Topic Dog Boards / Breeding / Help - my bitch not enough milk - 10 pups PLEASE !!!!
- By white27 [gb] Date 06.04.15 03:35 UTC
After all recent  problems we was so happy but now we have found another problem - she is not producing enough milk very limited and 10 pups are always hungry (almost 3 days old).
We have tried to feed them from bottle but for some reason they refusing it.
I know that after c section there is chance that second or third day might be very low on milk production.
Yesterday morning she started having some problems - diarrhoea.
My bitch is eating well now and drinking but it doesn't look good on milk production.
So one problem after another. we are devastated again.

Thanks
- By white27 [gb] Date 06.04.15 04:18 UTC
After recent whelping problems now we have another one - she is not producing enough milk it is very limited and 10 pups are always hungry (almost 3 days old).
We have tried to feed them from bottle but for some reason they refusing it. I know that after c section there can be delay with milk flow but the puppies already showing some dehydration plus my bitch has terrible diarrhoea after anaesthesia which makes her dehydrated too. So one problem after another.

Thanks
- By Brainless [gb] Date 06.04.15 07:59 UTC Upvotes 2
That is because in the first three days she needs to be nursing almost constantly for the demand to cause supply.

Don't expect to see milk though, some bitches don't bag up, but still produce the amount needed.

After a C section pups may be too sleepy to provide enough stimulation.

If pups have not regained their birth weight and started to increase by the third day tehn you will need to top up a bit, but only after they have fed so that the demand of suckling increases her production.

The section can also slow down the milk coming in.

Put pups on the teats constantly, even if you have to wake the pups.
- By MamaBas [gb] Date 06.04.15 08:10 UTC
As suggested, occasionally after a C.Section lactation may be slightly delayed, but keep the puppies at the teats because this stimulates lactation!   We've had a number of C.Sections, but no problem with milk supply - and always feel newborn puppies don't need lashings of milk, so if mum does have too much too soon, they may not be able to cope with it.    Don't try to 'milk' her yourself either.    With litters of 10, it's usually a good idea to do a half-on, half-off system and maybe supplementing too once into the second and later weeks.  After only 3 days, almost!, I'd not be too concerned however - the weight of the puppies may well drop but should catch up pretty much from now on.    If they won't take the bottle, talk to your vet about tube feeding because this is faster than bottling in any case.   But that does depend on whether the litter is quiet ...... which they should be.   You say 'always hungry' - do you mean crying, or always at the teats?

Some bitches will be loose immediately after whelping - how much of the placenta did she consume as this can cause this.
- By Goldmali Date 06.04.15 08:45 UTC
If they won't take the bottle, talk to your vet about tube feeding because this is faster than bottling in any case. 

Just be aware that this can be VERY dangerous. Every single animal I have ever tried to tube feed has died, and this article explains why:
http://showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/feeding.html Scroll down to "To tube or not to tube".
- By MamaBas [gb] Date 06.04.15 11:48 UTC
"Just be aware that this can be VERY dangerous. "

For sure - it's always best to have somebody experienced in doing this, show you before you attempt this.   It's too easy to get the tube into the lungs and not into the stomach.   I've never had to do this myself, however, but I know of a good number of breeders who have, and successfully too.
- By biffsmum [gb] Date 06.04.15 16:20 UTC Upvotes 3
My bitch had a litter of 12 pups last year. We spent the first 2 weeks latching on the smaller pups first, letting them feed, then swapping with the bigger pups so they could feed, then putting the smaller ones back on. My daughter and I took it in turns to sleep and look after Mum and puppies , day and night. We only had to top up the 2 smallest pups for the first 3 days and then Mum fed them all herself. We also made sure that she was fed loads, as much as she could eat, including rice pudding, goats milk and ready made custard. I've found she always got diarrhea after a whelping, including a c-section for one litter. It is hard work looking after a litter, especially a big one, and sleepless nights etc can make things look a lot worse than they really are.
- By Brainless [gb] Date 06.04.15 18:28 UTC
Not to mention you had a broken ankle at the time, it made for very stressful litter rearing.
- By danielle-k9 Date 06.04.15 20:44 UTC Upvotes 1
Please dont worry! The pups need to be suckling all the time to produce more milk. You need to keep latching them on and make sure the mother is eating and drinking lots! Hold her food/water to her or place it infront of her so she doesnt have to get up.......thats the only way my small breed bitch would eat or drink nursing 12!!
Give her any high protein foods or puppy food soaked in water....goats milk is good mixed with water or alone. 

Best of luck
- By white27 [gb] Date 06.04.15 21:36 UTC
Sorry for late reply ;)
Milk is delivered better, diarrhoea settled, pups bellies getting rounder:lol: and they are putting on weight. She is definitely producing more milk now and pups are much happier and content. I hope that nothing else will happen - I'm not sure if I can handle some more problems ;). I also wondering how can I know that every pup is stimulating to defecate regularly since there is so many of them?
- By Brainless [gb] Date 06.04.15 21:43 UTC Upvotes 1
You will notice Mum sniffing bottoms and cleaning the ones that need to go.
- By RozzieRetriever Date 11.04.15 09:00 UTC
How are you getting on with your puppies? Is mum ok?
- By white27 [gb] Date 11.04.15 09:41 UTC
Puppies are growing fast it is 8th day today ;) smallest is 708g = 63%+, biggest 880g.=76%+, ;)
mum is better, just not 100% with the wound as it is not perfect.
She can rest bit more now as babies have enough food and they can sleep more.
We are bit more relaxed but someone is with them 24hours /day just in case.
Will update over the weekend again as I'm @ work again.

Thanks again
Topic Dog Boards / Breeding / Help - my bitch not enough milk - 10 pups PLEASE !!!!

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