My bitch has just had her first litter, and everything went smoothly during birth. It's now the third day and by now the milk should be flowwing, but it is rather thick and I suspect concentrated as the pups are growing as expected. They have been bordering on de-hydration so I have been giving the pups Glucos & water via a bottle to re-hydrate them, which fills them to contentment. Toilets are fine and appetite of the bitch is very good. She also gets Glucos & water plus plenty of watered down milky teas. She is on a dry puppy food now, instead of her normal adult, so she is getting the extra minerals & vitamins required by the pups. I've had her to my vets for check up and he has said she is in good health, but can't do anything to increase her milk supply. She is turning out to be a good mum, except for this, so does anyone have any advice on how I can get my bitch to add water to her own milk supply, as I need some sleep
In anticipation, Many thanks
Elmbridge

I'm not a breeder but think that milk flows to meet the needs of the pups, the more they suck the more the supply, so perhaps you should not be helping out with the bottle, although you can't let them dehydrate of course but are you sure that they are. Sorry not a lot of help and I'm probabley talking to someone who has more experence than I anyway. Jackie H

I was warned against giving too much glucose to a pup when bottle feeding. If they really do need to be topped up then I would suggest some Whelpi milk substitute. Giving them just water and glucose will not be enough to keep their strength up so they can suckle better. If the pups aren't crying then I would leave well alone other than the daily weighing ritual!

Thank you for replies. Just to clarify matters, pups suckling a lot longer than normal which I had hoped would entice the dam to produce more milk, but now day 4 & still the same. Reluctant to try Welpi as mums milk is good as pups putting on 2 to 3 oz a day. Have left out water feed for up to 8 hours, but then notice pups quiet and starting to get cold, pinching skin = de-hydration so start water feeds & pups back to normal within hour. can not leave pups thru night incase.
Elmbridge