We have a bitch in work that has whelped Sun. night Mon morning. out of 5 pups two did not make it and now two others are very poorly. Had a vet check and they said it is probably canine herpes. I've read some dire things about prognosis etc. Mum is sick as well with high temp. All got injections and we are feeding the two weak ones hourly 1-2mls puppy formula.

After what I read I am wondering is it the right thing to do to try. The two sick one have raspy chests and we are having to keep them propped up on a hot water bottle so they can breathe easier. The are taking the milk very well....just droppering it onto their tongues and they are swallowing it no problem..

What do you think? Vet didn't even think the one would make it until going home time and it seems to be doing well. One of the girls has taken them home to share the hourly feeding between her family...(well experienced) with instructions to ring vets if need be.

Cheers
J

And if it matters Mum was vaccinated during pregnancy ....she was done before we got her.

i wish you all the best!

Sorry to hear that hear about your pups and mum.  You mention that Mum was vaccinated during pregnancy.  Can you let us know what vaccination, was the herpes vaccine?

No we got her from another rescue centre in the South of Ireland. She was given a 1st vaccination and possibly a 2nd.I'll have to check her records when I go to work tomorrow. I assume she was originally a stray and maybe vaccinated before they realized she was pregnant. She has also had a huge upheaval coming into care as a stray,then being heavily pregnant and transported for over 4 hours to us. Then trying to get settled here. She is a bit timid as it is so the stress of it all along with infection maybe just took it's toll on her and we are lucky to even have the three left so far.

The girl who is looking after them tonight is updating me every couple of hours and they are doing better than expected. Taking the milk well and she even managed to get them to wee and poo. They are being kept very warm and in an upright position to help their breathing. This morning we all thought the one was within a few moments of passing away....once she warmed up she started to respond better.

Cheers
J

> No we got her from another rescue centre in the South of Ireland.

Is it really the best thing to do keeping these poor little sick puppies alive when nobody wanted them in the first place?

Pups are doing much better. I wish the vets could get their acts together. One in the practice says one thing someone else says another.
The vet seeing the pups this morning was very pleased. The are back on their mother. He says it is probably a general infection and if it had indeed been canine herpes the pups wouldn't have rallied once they started to go downhill. The sickest one still needs help latching on but the other is eating like a trooper. Hope they continue to do well.

>Is it really the best thing to do keeping these poor little sick puppies alive when nobody wanted them in the first place?

Probably not. But they are now here and our responsibility and we will make sure they get the best we can offer. :-)  We love them all. And it shows with one of the lowest return rates within the centres.

Cheers
J

So glad they are doing better honey. We had a similar situation last year when2 puppies were fading fast. Our vet was fantastic and did a plasma transfer from mum to the pups and within an hour they were feeding well and started to thrive