Hi, I'm new but I am an experienced breeder within the bedlington X Whippet breeds. But there is one thing I have not experienced and that is the death of two puppies within 24 hours- I am a college student and I have spoken to my tutor about this, it seems it may be milk inhalation.

One of my dog puppies (Just three days old) died last night, he was weak and it was expected. The bitch had rejected him. We tried to hand feed him but unfortunately he kept coughing it back up through his nose.

This morning, I woke up to find another dog pup had died, he had gone cold and it was just unexpected, he was feeding well on the mum last night.

The bitch is not eating as well as she usually does so perhaps she isn't producing enough good milk for the puppies?

I think it may be the fact that I had to take her down to the vet for a jab to start the contractions again for her to deliver the last pup (She had 10). Perhaps the fact that she is seven years old and this is her third (And last) litter, and with so many puppies... it could be the strain?

Hope you can help!

Victoria Willingale

I'm no expert - but have the pups been checked for a cleft palate?

Could also be fading puppy syndrome.

There will be more folk along shortly to help.

It is not unusual to lose pups, especially from a large litter.  A post mortem can sometimes show the cause but often it is suffocation where the bitch has laid on one.

Christine

Agree with Chloe H and it sounds like Fading Puppy syndrome.
The first signs are when a puppy looses its desire to suckle. In a short space of time it will become floppy and usually the inside of the mouth can feel "cold". The final stage is a horrible "seagull" cry and the head arches back.
Not many vets will be able to do anything other than give anti-biotics to help prevent a secondary infection. This will not cure it and pups with this condition only have a good chance of survival if given a plasma transfusion.
Do a search on here for "New hope for fading puppy syndrome"
If you need any furthe help please feel free to phone me on 01652 660681.
Please watch all the other pups closely as I do not want to scare you but it s know for FPS to wipe an entire litter out without treatment.The best time to get treatment is as soon as the desire to suckle occurs. If your vet has not heard of this treatment or is not prepared to try it let me know and I will give you the details of my vet who has carried out this procedure several times ALL sucessfully. You will need a recently vaccinated dog to be a donor - preferably the father.