Hi everyone so my pups are 3 days old. For the first day my bitch was lying with them in their box feeding them fine though for the past couple of days she has been sitting ouside of the box and basically ignoring them. she hasnt really been cleaning them properly either. I have noticed a definate difference in the way she is treating this litter from her last. The odd time she will go in beside them herself though most of the time i have to physically place her in beside them and sit practically in the box myself so she doesnt get up because as soon as i turn my head she stands up and gets out of the box.
Also i would like that since i am having to initiate the feeding how often should they have a feed? and how long for each time? when they are on.  As just now she has  finished feeding them and they were on for 40 minutes before falling asleep and i thought this was too long .
Does anyone know of any reasons of why my bitch is neglecting them and seems totally disinterested unless she is forced to go in beside them

Thanks

Hi George, do their nails need trimming they may be digging into her causing discomfort? are her nipples ok not hard or red, check incase mastitus has set in. I had a similiar problem with my bitch i had to sit with her for the first 2 weeks and literally latch them on ever 2 hours, if i move d away she'd get out the box. she took to them after this, but only fed them until they were 5 weeks then refused to, by this time they were on solids so was'nt too bad. good luck with your pups

hi one of her back nipples is quite hard, not the actual nipple but where all th milk is, it is softer towards the bottom.  though with that she is not in any discomfort when i sqeeze it or touch the hard part.  should the milk feel VERY soft?

her nipples should be soft and a pink colour if they are hard red or inflammed looking this is a sign of mastitus, why dont you pop her along the vets just to be on the safe side he will check the pups over at the same time

It sounds as though one of her breasts is becoming engorged, which could develop into mastitis if not controlled. Hold a hot flannel (don't scald her!) over the breast for a minute or so to soften it then try to expel some of the milk.

a well timed dose of synulox will halt mastitis, this is what your vet would  prescribe anyway. Clean her teats with a warm flannel as suggested and try gently massaging to help the milk flow freely again

ok jeanie i have done this and it did soften a bit, so if it softens does this mean she has a problem. Also this certain nipple has been been like this even before he pups were born. i thought it is the pups not feeding right that causes mastitius ?
Milk came out but it has been coming out alright anyway . Any Advice ?

how long for each time? when they are on.  As she has  finished feeding them and they were on for 40 minutes before falling asleep and i thought this was too long .

She could be too warm also.  The pupos should be oin as long as they need (until they stop basically) and they should be feeding at least every two hours to get the milk supply in.  As they get older and stronger able to gain more at one go then the feeds get further apart.  I would think at least every three hours until you start feeding them.  Once weaning they are on 4 to 6 meals a day then how much she gives them is less of an issue.

Puppies should be being fed every 2 hours, time this from the time they come off. This is morning AND night, for the first 2 weeks at least. Let them feed for as long as they stay on. Keep them warm if mums not staying with them, puppies cannot regulate their body heat. Also make sure they are being topped and tailed at every feed, this is really important for them to go to the toilet.