Some friends have recently had a litter and, although experienced, they've never had this before....we're not sure what to do for the best so I thought I'd see if any of you had come across this before, or what you'd do!

Puppy was absolutely fine and had been growing well, though since birth he'd always been on the smaller side but not exceptionally so. Mum was wormed with Panacur from day 40. Mum & puppies were wormed last week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. On Wednesday (last week) puppy was sick once with a couple of worms and also passed 1 worm in poo. We've not seen any more since and he was the only one affected. They hadn't really started weaning, I believe the first time was they had scrambled egg on Tuesday evening which his brother tucked into but he wasn't interested.

On Wednesday he went to the vet because he just wasn't right, vet said no infection but he was constipated and gave lactulose. They weren't convinced and got a second opinion on Thursday. That vet said his temp was slightly up, he thought he had an infection and prescribed synolux. He also said if pup had been constipated he wasn't now (and the thermometer up the rectum made the puppy poo so we all got a good look!)

All that was last week. Puppy is now five weeks old, doesn't want to know with solids and won't suck from a bottle - but if you syringe milk into the side of his mouth he will usually lap, sometimes quite enthusiastically.

At times he's quite lethargic but then has these bursts where he plays - and the strength in him when you're trying to feed him something he doesn't want! He doesn't really seem weak, but there's no improvement. He looks younger than five weeks.

But we're not really sure exactly how often he ought to be fed now, whether he ought to be having pureed meat or something (which she has tried and has to be force fed) as well as milk?

Or has anyone else ever seen anything like this? Obviously we appreciate it could be something genetic in which case nothing we do will make a difference, but the way he is is just so strange. And he's got such a character and hasn't given up so we're not about to give up on him either!

This sounds similar to a puppy we had years ago - ours went on to be diagnosed with a liver shunt.

I'm sure your friends puppy will be fine, but is worth asking the vet if it's something worth considering .

has he been checked in his mouth for any holes ? is he not drinking from mum now? he should be able to lap milk or water now ,maybe hes getting to much milk and thats why hes just not hungery but if it was me id be back at vets with him , hope all goes well poor little baby xx

Liver shunt was actually my first thought as well, it has been known in this breed so it's quite possible. I did mention it at the time but apparently it's difficult to pick up in such young pups? and with the worms & infection those have provided another potential "mask" for anything underlying (if there is). Now you've seconded my initial suspicions I'll definitely mention it again though.

It's so hard isn't it, when you're feeding them like this you grow so attached :(

Yes white lily, the vet did look in his mouth (puppy was very unimpressed and protested throughout!) and all looked ok. No he stopped suckling from mum, but her milk has all dried up now anyway.

This may not be right as not had this before in a pup but what about trying to leave him for half a day or so without syringe feeding him?? Continue to put food down for the pups and let him see the others eat the food and drink water/milk.

Perhpas because he's being fed he's not actually getting hungry and so not bothered about food?? I'd let him feel hungry as then he might show more interest. At this age i dont think it would do any harm to leave him to decide if he wants to eat, obviously if he were only a few days old then this would not be advisable likewise if he didnt have anything all day.