Hi (again!), as you all know i have a litter of 8 who have all been doing really well and are 2 weeks old today. However one of my strong boys has just suddenley stopped feeding properly and is now the weight of my little tiny pup (who is doing well!). He climbs up when Mabel feeds them, does a bit of goldfish sucking then gives up. I syringe fed him yesterday and he picked up a little and even managed to latch on for a short while but this morning he is still the same weight as yesterday and is weak again. I have spoken to my vet who says that theres always one in a big litter who fails and just to top him up but I'm worried theres something wrong. I have syringe fed him again this morning at 5 and 7 and when I pick him up he squirms and squeakes which I hope is a good sign. The others all seem to be feeding well and are fat and content so I am assuming Mabel has enough milk. My heart is in my boots and I'm embarrased (another panic post!) to have to ask for help again....but I would really appreciate your advice.

Emma

I wouldn't know where to start without seeing the little fellow.  If his weight loss has been quick it sounds like he is ill.  It is very important to keep his fluids up and I would be giving a little glucose water as well at this point to try and give him some energy.

I would take him to the vet and get him looked at properly.  Could be that your vet has seen what he describes but unless he actually sees your pup he cant hope to tell you what is going on.  I am guessing this advice was given by phone.

i would take him straight to the vet too. it could be puppy fading syndrome which could unfortunately mean disaster for the whole litter. better be safe than sorry

I wouldn't take him to the Vet.  They can tell very little with one so young and you would risk bringing infection back to the rest of the litter.  I would ask the Vet to supply you with some antibiotics to give him every chance, and then let nature take it's course.  If there is something seriously wrong then I wouldn't prolong his time. :(

I would take him to the vet.  You can take him in in a box which should help protect him from anything infectious in the waiting area and the examination bench should have been disinfected.  You could ask for them to do it again in front of you if you wish but I think most vets understand infection control.  Are you sure he is pooing?  If he does have a blockage the vet may be able to free it with lubrication or an enema.  Another thing they may be able to do is give him a boost by giving subcutaneous fluids to rehydrate him.  As he has done well up to this point I thinkyou can rule out cleft plate, a malformation of the kidneys, imperforate anus etc so I think it is worth giving him a chance and as others have pointed out it may be something that is going to affect the rest of the litter and action for them may be needed sooner rather than later.

I have spoken to my vet who says that theres always one in a big litter who fails I certainly do not agree with that, having had and seen many big litters it is not common practise for a pup to fail, it does happen yes, but more minority than majority.

I'm surprised that your vet has not given antibiotics for the pup it is not a good sign for a strong pup to suddenly loose weight and become weak. Glucose as suggested is a good idea, personally I would continue to hand rear if he is becoming too weak to suckle, and get the vet to give some antibiotics, there is no reason for this pup to fail from being so strong and your vet should give him every chance to recover.

Let us know how he comes along, I have my fingers crossed that he will be ok.

I agree, Carrington. I've known litters of 10 or more have no runt or weakling; mortalities in a litter are by no means automatic. For a once-thriving puppy to suddenly lose ground would be a serious cause for concern.

Thank you all. Just to clarify, the puppy didn't lose weight but didn't put any on. I weighed him this morning and he was the same weight as yesterday but have weighed him again just now and he has put on a little. He seems hungry and gulps down the milk when I syringe feed him and this morning he managed to latch on properly to mum, he just doesn't manage to stay there very long even if I make sure none of the others push him off. I spoke to the vet again who says I should continue as I am doing and is reluctant to intervene at this point. His coat (the puppies not the vets!) is still glossy and he is moving about......do I make up the glucose myself or do I get it from the vet??
Many thanks...

I would be giving Life Aid or electrolytes, which your Vet should be able to supply if you don't already have them in your whelping kit.

I agree that it's not automatic for any puppy to fail, but sometimes the internal organs just don't grow at the rate of puppy growth and cannot sustain the pup.