I have a litter of 5 day old pups that are constipated. They are having a real problem going to p-- and are straining rather a lot. They are feeding well and resting well like normal pups. Can anyone tell me what causes this problem and how I might be able to help them. I have been manually helping them like you would for an orphan pup being bottle fed. They do go but still  have a problem doing it. As they are so young I am worried about giving them anything !

Puppies of this age should only be going when their mother stimulates them and she will eat their waste.  What makes you think they are constipated, a surely mother will be dealing with this aspect.

If she is getting plenty of fluids and they are feeding well they should not be constipated.  Are they too hot.

Must admit I was thinking very much along the same lines Brainless, you just don't see pups toileting at this age, is that what makes you feel they are constipated because you see no waste?  If so you won't see any, their mum will stimulate them to go as she is washing them and lick it away immediately.

Yes she is toileting them as I have been watching her to check. I wondered as this is her 1st litter if she is not doing enough though. I have whelped several litters, but this is the first time I have seen this happen. They are straining very hard and making noises that go with them straining. What comes out is like pellets. I have raised the heat lamp which is on at night, and I switch it of during the day. Mum is drinking well and eating well and is full of beans.

Solid pellets is unusual for bitch reared pups, it can happen with home rearing if the substitute powdered milk is not in ratio to the water. You say she is drinking enough, but perhaps a little goats milk given to your bitch would not go amiss.

There are plenty of ways to resolve constipation, but personally if it is the whole litter and as they are only 5 days old, I would be asking my vet for the best solution.

You've had litters before and you are obviously seeing something not right here, it may disappear on it's own, but I think I would call my vet before we give you constipation solutions as your girls milk may be the problem here.

Let us know what happens. :-)

Vet gave me some very small enama's. Bit of a job doing them, but it did do the trick at the time. I think it may be to do with the Mum's milk. I'am making her drink plenty, as I remember having to drink plenty when I breast fed, many moom's ago !! I should think it is the same principle for dogs. With the food that bitches have through pregnancy, they are all high in fat. I think the milk my bitch is making must be near on cream !!!!!! Well, even if pups are finding it a bit of a job to go, they are looking good and putting on weight. Next week they will be wormed, that should make them go !!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are using a dry food you could do what I do and add as much water as you can get into it, that way they get plenty to drink, and also some bitches mouths will be sore from cleaning, and it is easier for them to eat.