Help desperately needed...

Our girl (toy breed) produced 2 dog puppies by c-section on Tuesday morning.  The birth weight of the puppies was 8 oz which is an ok size for the breed and 4 oz which is very small.  Mum is doing a great job feeding and cleaning but both puppies are very gradually losing weight, it's not very much but obviously concerning us as they are small to begin with.  The Vet checked the puppies and Mum over again yesterday and told us to make sure Mum is feeding them regularly which she is, she is being fantastic with them.  I've checked Mum and she appears to be producing plenty of milk so we're at a loss as to why they are losing weight.  I've spoken to the Vet by phone today and he's advised us to start hand feeding the puppies in addition to Mum feeding them.  We obviously want the best for these little ones and just wondered if anyone could offer us any advice and guidance - it would be appreciate more than you could imagine right now.

Hi, others will come along with more / better information for you I'm sure, puppies do tend to loose a little bit of weight in the first couple of days (just like human babies) by day three they are usually back up to there birth weight and then it should be all gain from then on. I have not long had a litter and the smallest one of those didn't start to gain weight until day 6, a GA was involved (though not a c section) and I wonder if the tiny one got more than her fair share of the anasthetic which made her more lethargic and less keen to suck hard, she is now still smaller than her siblings but doing great and is the first one on her feet, Unless things get really desperate I wouldn't start hand feeding them, as it will only make things more hit and miss especially for the smallest one.  If you have to sit with them to coax them to suck every half an hour, that may be the way forward.  fingers crossed for you it is only a tiny blip.

Hi, the pups probably have taken in some anesthetic, so maybe not sucking so well as they should.
I have checked my records and my pups usually only gain from day 3, they seem to stay the same the day after
birth and then start to gain, but I have never had a c- section so can't really advise if there is a difference. They seem to average between half a pound and a pound a day,  they are  toy size too.
I wouldn't supplement them If at all possible though as they need to suck to make more milk and as she is feeding them it seems a shame not to let her get on with it.
Good luck with your pups.
Liz

If you are still worried in the next day or two, there are a couple of people who offer a puppy rearing service and specialist advice.  The dam may also still be uncomfortable from the op, as it is a big op especially for a toy, even though it may be considered routine. 

Hi there

I have toys and a bit of experience of c section litters.  As everybody has said, pups can drop weight in the first few days, especially as a result of the anaesthetic from a section.  Don't worry yourself too much about this.  As the vet has said, keep an eye on them.  If mum is happy and pups are feeding and quiet then things should pick up in a couple of days.  I would be reluctant to interfere by hand feeding at this stage, they are her pups and its her bond she's creating, keep an eye on them, especially the tiny one.  Make sure that she's getting enough quality food and puppy formula to meet milk demands also.

Did you follow a worming programme pre section?

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>They seem to average between half a pound and a pound a day,  they are  toy size too.

Oopps! I meant ounces not pounds lol

I agree with the others I have had pups loose a little weight in first day or two and then start to gain, especially if they were large pups, or especially with the two C sections I have experience of