Hi,

I found this board on my travels, and wondered if anyone could offer a bit of advice.

My girl had her 3rd litter yesterday.  I weigh every day.  Her 1st two litters all gained from day 1, bar one, who I ended up bottle-feeding.  But this time, one has lost a substantial amount, and 2 have lost a little.  I am thinking that maybe I shouldn't jump in with the formula too quickly, because I assume they can lose some weight in the first day or two, like we can - can anyone confirm this please?  My 2 babies never lost any weight after birth, but I know a few of my friend's did, so maybe it is like that with dogs - some do, some don't.

Can anyone guide me in the right direction please?  I am thinking maybe I should weigh again in the morning, and if any of them are still losing, I should maybe try topping up with some formula?

I have noticed that the little one who has lost most weight just can't seem to stay latched on.  He gets on and then just slips off, which is what the little girl did last time who I fed myself.  I have no idea why they have trouble staying on.

Regards Jo

Have you checked for cleft palate?

Yes I have and no sign of anything wrong.  There wasn't in the one from the last litter either.  They latch on and start sucking, and then just lose the suction and fall off.

it can sometimes take them a day or two to start suckling properly. Have you tried gently holding the puppy on to the teat. Very lightly put the crook of your thumb and forefinger on the back of the puppies head and keep your thumb and forefinger along either side of it's head to hold it steady. If they lose weight then they can become too weak to stay on the teat for long. If this happens I usually start off by holding the puppy on for as long as possible and then supplement with the bottle. Is the puppy ok in other ways. Does mum accept it and clean it. You have to be very careful that the other stronger puppies don't keep pushing it out.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

She's an extremely protective mum, so it isn't easy for me to get in and help.  When she is relaxed and tired, she will let me get a bit closer, and yesterday I tried a few times to hold puppy on the teat.  But even with me holding him there he still loses the suction.  He spends all his time getting on and taking the first suck and then coming off - he doesn't actually stay on.

I have weighed again this morning, and he hasn't actually lost any more but is still the same as yesterday.  He was born 415gr but has been 370gr since yesterday afternoon.  I guess it's a good sign that he hasn't lost any more, but I would rather see a gain!

Thanks,

Jo

If I were you I would be giving him a bottle about 4 times a day. If she will let you express her milk then that is the best to give the puppy. He may get the hang of sucking if you give him a few bottle feeds.

I have just weighed again and he is now 393gr, so he is obviously getting something.  The others are shooting ahead at 5-600gr.  I am worried about giving a bottle too soon, because Mum is best isn't she, and I don't want him to just get used to bottles.  I will see if he starts gaining any faster I think, tonight and tomorrow morning.  The pup I bottle fed last time was losing each time I weighed, so I started feeding her on day 3.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards Jo

Sounds like the help you're giving is worth it ;)

If it were me, I'd be making sure he had the chance to feed without being pushed about, try to get him on a teat before the others start, if possible.  He's obviously getting some as you say so may just need a little help getting his act together.  If you can express a little milk so that there's milk on the teat it may just give him some incentive to suck more.  Is he getting enough of the teat in his mouth?

He has gained 29gr in the last 24 hours, so I'm feeling a bit better about it.  Others have gained 60-90gr though, so still isn't very good.  I am worried about 2 others now (always something to worry about isn't there lol).  One weighed the same as birth on day 2 and has gained only 6gr today.  The other lost 22gr on day 2, and gained 19gr today. 

I will weigh these 3 again in the morning, and if any of them haven't gained, I will be getting the bottles out!

Thanks guys,

Jo.

At least he's gaining and that's the main thing.  Just keep doing what you are doing and if necessary move the other pups out of the way and let him feed off her on his own.

Hope he continues to go in the right direction.

Because he is small he won't be able to gain as fast as the others, and will need to feed twice as often, so every time you pass the whelping box and the others are asleep plug the smaller pups on.

I would if I could get near!  She won't let me touch them, so it isn't very easy.  I manage to get them all weighed when she's outside, but physically putting them on teats isn't easy at all. 

Anyway this morning one has gained 60gr so he is obviously fine.  The other 2 still haven't gained, but they haven't lost either.  I have got some milk and bottles this morning, so I've got that on standby.  The vet I spoke to when I got the Welpi said that it can sometimes take 2 or 3 days before they start gaining, so fingers crossed they are just a little slower than the others getting started!

When i,ve had a protective bitch if its a problem as sometimes is for the first few days until mum realises you are helping and not taking them away . why not pop on a muzzle so you can,t get bit  and if you feel safer then you are giving off  better vibes and your bitch may relax more