Hi
I have just received an email, 7 gsd pups 4 days old in desperate need of a foster mother, can any one help please.
Driffield area.
Thanks
Tracey

Hello
I have a staffie bitch with a litter of 5.
Pups doing really well and mom has loads of milk. Also have a friend with a litter about the same age again mum well with plenty of milk. Litter of 4
If you think it would be helpful I am sure we could split the litter between our two bitches - or at least give it a try. I would not mind supplementing the the feeds to top up if need be?
Both are fantastic moms.
Edit: By the way we are both in North Lincs near to Driffield

Staffie, you are very kind but I think you should be aware you are taking a huge risk for you own pups by bringing others in. You would at the very least need to find out exactly what happened to the mother, any mention of infection forget it, but personally I would not risk it anyway. It would be far better if a bitch with no puppies were found or someone willing to hand rear.

Hi Isabel
I know what you are saying about infection.
It is just that last year I was in that position with a litter of Bordeaux pups and you feel so desperate for them. My bitch failed to produce milk that is why they needed to be hand reared.
Hopefully a mom with no pups like you say can be found but was just offering as a last resort really if it meant it would save the pups.
Like you say though would need to know the reasons why no mom and then judge from there. Just a shame my pups are not a couple of weeks older and weaned :-(

Oh dear you will feel it badly, how did your litter get on? The trouble is no matter why they need fostering they will arrive with a set of bacteria that they have resistance to curtesy of their mother it may not match the set that your pups are used to. A friend of mine fostered 2 dobie pups into her boxer litter purely because the dobie litter was very large (made the local paper) her pups caught something or other and she lost all but 2 of the boxers but the 2 dobies never went down with it.

Hi Isabel
Here is the link to a post I wrote about my litter and the whole experience :-(
http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/12815.html

Ah I remember now, there has been some recent stuff about this too, I just didn't connect it with you. I sure you're very pleased that this litter seems to be sorted.

Hi Isabel
Yes, I have everything crossed that this bitch will take to the pups :-)

Hi Staffie
If you and your friend could help these babes it would be brilliant, i don't know the circumstances at all , just had an email with the plea fro help.
This is the chaps name and number.
Name is Terry Sincox on 01377 250232
As already said, any infection is a definite no no, but until we know the circumstances let not make a decision.
Thanks again
Tracey
If you would like the man to ring you rather than you ring him please e mail me your number.
gsdogs@ntlworld.com

Tracey,

Fingers crossed someone can help, let us know.

Pam

I will give him a call and find out all the whys and wherefores.

Have just called and they think they have found a foster mom but have got to see whether she will take to the pups.
The mother gave birth naturally but started to hemorage (sp) after. They took her to the vets to operate but sadly she died during the operation :-(
They are going to let me know if the foster mom does not accept them. Fingers crossed she does though - poor babies.

UPDATE
The foster mom they found had not had a litter before and was having a phantom pregnancy so sadly would not accept the pups.
However, I phoned my vets to see whether they knew of any bitches that may have lost a litter or having a phantom. The vet nurse I spoke to was very helpful. Her mother-in-law had a labrador litter with only one pup. Pup now a few weeks old so she asked her MIL and she said she would be happy to try her bitch at being a surrogate mom and with a vet nurse to help looks very promising.
A bitch with one pup and a larger breed would be better than my bitch with 5 pups.
Have passed the details onto Terry and he is going to make the arrangements.
If this fails to work he has been in touch with GSD rescue group who have said they would be prepared to hand rear.
Ideally foster mom would be best but looks like a happy ending either way.
He has said he will keep me informed on how they go. :-)

Hi Staffie
Thanks so much for your help, you've been brilliant !!!! :) lets keep everything crossed for these babies...
I bet Terry is absolutely devastated at losing his girl, the pups are a bonus but it's always the female that you pull all the stops out for when it really comes down to it.Such an awful shame all round.
Tracey

No problem. I know all the hard work involved in hand rearing and how after all the hard work the risks with hand rearing are much higher :-(
Such a shame for the bitch and her babies.
I just hope everything goes ok with this Lab bitch.
Will let you know when I hear anything else :-)