
Well for starters, don't panic!! If a small bitch is carrying a big litter, there's just no room inside for much food - and the puppies will be taking what they need, even if once whelped, mum is likely to look very lean and will need FOOD. As long as she doesn't have a nasty discharge (foul smelling) all you can do is sit it out. Do you have a mentor to hold your hand through all this? If so, now is the time to get him/her involved. You are right re infection and vets - sick dogs go to vets.
Just don't leave her now and we always slept, one of us, with our bitches who'd be in their whelping box by this stage.
ps Concentrate on protein (food) not bulk.