My bitch(large breed)whelped 24-36 hours ago,11 pups,all good weight and strong.I had to take her to the vet for oxytocin to deliver the last pup,but all were fine.It looks like we may lose one,it's cold and week looking,we have it on a heat pad trying to warm it through,but I don't think it will make it.I've weighed the litter again this morning,and don't feel they're gaining as they should,my question is,should I top up with puppy milk?My vet said don't if you can at all avoid it,but at what point do you decide?I'm swapping them round on the teats making sure they all get a turn,but they still seem hungry.Mum's milk isn't properly through yet either,should I bottle temporarily or what?This is her first litter,my second,but I'd appreciate advice please.

In a large litter I would be more than happy with slight gain and no loss in the first 36 hours.

I would not bottle feed at all unless absolutely necessary.  Concentrate your efforts on the bitch (especially keeping her hydrated) and ensuring all pups get their fair time on the milk-bar as the first 3 days almost constant suckling is what will finally bring the milk in.

If you top up then you risk the Mums milk supply not keeping pace with the pups needs.

You may find they are ready for solids sooner than a smaller litter.  I start early weaning if the rate of weight gain starts to level out after 10 days (it should be increasing).

Thanks for that,I did think I might be panicking a bit early. :)

I try my utmost to avoid bottle feeding unless there really is no choice.  Mum's is best!!!

I had a particularly tiny one in my last litter, but ensuring that she latched on ok was enough to do the trick.  She gained more slowly than the larger pups, but her gain was still in proportion to the others.  I agree that if pup is cold, you need to bring that temperature up.  Good Luck.

I had one that I carried round in my bra for 36 hours until he was fine ;-) He was put to mum every 2 hours and I made sure that he got a back teat. Body heat is so much easier to keep a puppy warm than heat pads. Mum accepted him back into the fold quite easily and he celebrated his 7th birthday last month. :-)

Sadly the wee lad didn't make it. :(

so sorry to hear that :(...it is heart breaking i know ((hugs)) run free little man xxxx

I have a different approach to the other posters, as in my view it is vitally important to avoid dehydration, so is much easier to make sure it does not happen than try to rehydrate.  Have you checked to see the skin is "plump" and returns to shape quickly if pinched lightly over the withers or on the shoulder?  If any signs of not returning down at once then I woudl start giving boiled cooled water and glucose or rehydration fluid, or do some bottle feeding, alternating it with Mum's milk perhaps?  I don't panic if there is no gain or even a slight gain the first 24 hours, but any failure to gain after this rings alarm bells for me.  However, if you mean they are gaining, but less than you would expect for pups of that size, can you increae the frequency of feeds on Mum?  Also, make sure Mum is drinking enough, and getting lots of calcium rich food.  The oxytocin injection is usually enough to bring the milk in, but it does not always do so (didn't with my last litter, my girl didn't have enough to ensure the pups were doing well, and I had to supplement with a bottle, and another bitch who helped.)

I had to bottle feed my last litter after the first week as Mum's milk dried up I was concerned at first but had no need as puppies took to it quickly Mum liked to sit and watch although she had a tiny bit of milk coming thought puppies still suckled on her mainly for comfort to Mum and puppies, it is very time consuming and once I got the nack.. I loved it (although I know Mums milk is best) my puppies gained weight quickly and thrived . I used Lactol.
My puppies are now 5m and gorgeous one is going into the ring soon and I am very proud of her.

Roni