Mo had her puppies in the early hours of Sunday morning by c-section. 8 pups all a very good good size and seemingly healthy, no cleft's. To start with she wouldn't go in the whelping box so I was putting the pups on her every 2-3 hours day and night and all seemed well. All pups putting on weight.

On Wednesday afternoon one of the pups regurgitated during a feed and subsequently inhaled, followed by mad coughing, retching, inhaling etc. I rushed him to the vet who said it was too early to tell if it would have caused a problem but has put the pup on Synulox drops in the hope of preventing aspiration pneumonia. He has been active and feeding well since. However yesterday evening another pup did the same (not quite as drastic) followed by another one, so on speaking to the vet was advised to give those 2 Synulox as well. Pup no.2 was feeding early morning and brought up some of his feed again.

The problem seems to be that when they initially latch on it's frantic and I think they are taking too much milk all in one go. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've had pups in the past who have brought back up a small amount and had no problems, but this just seems extreme and I'm now paranoid every time they feed that one or more is going to choke.

This is such a lovely litter I'd hate to lose any.

The advise from another breeder was to feed in 2 batches, the larger pups first to take the excess milk followed by the smaller pups, who are the ones that seem to be having the problem. Having said that one of the larger pups has just brought up a small amount, although hasn't inhaled it from what I can tell. I tried the two sittings method first thing and all seemed OK.

Any advice gratefully received...

First off, I've never experienced this.   Are these puppies with mum now?   And if not, how often are you letting them feed - I ask because if they are frantically getting at the teats, it could be that they are just very hungry by the time they are next fed.   Puppies should be fed every 2 hours around the clock (which I'm sure you know).   But if they are with mum, they should be able to nurse as and when they are awake, making the whole feeding thing much more relaxed so hopefully they are less likely to be 'frantic'.  

Just a thought.

Yes they are with Mum, although she isn't in the box 24/7, she is in the room 24/7, but they are feeding at least every 2 hours if not more. They are well rounded, but don't seem to have an off switch, letting them know when they are full.

Also never witnessed it, I doubt that the pups are over feeding themselves and so gluttonous that they don't stop, they are not programmed to do that, more likely that the milk is flowing too fast, causing it to flood into their throats, it is generally caused by a build up of not enough feeding, pups generally feed constantly at this age, bottle feeding is every two hours but a dam feeding.....there is usually one always attached, make the dam stay with her pups if you can so that they can constantly feed, if things do not change even in doing this.........option two.... perhaps the dam is simply over producing, I guess it is a possibility, although it is usually made on demand........milk the dam a little to see just how fast the milk is actually coming out?

If this is the problem, you may have to express some to start with each time........ my guess is that the pups just need more small feeds and the dam not allowing this, and only feeding every two hours is the problem here. :-)

They do seem a little better today (touch wood), had no choking incidents other than those mentioned first thing. She has been in with them more and she doesn't seem as full of milk. I've also been advised to cut her food down a bit, which I've done to reduce the amount of milk she's producing and to just feed her up again when this crisis has passed. I hate this period, when they are so vulnerable, and can't wait for the "fun" stage when they are up and about.

I'd be very careful about 'cutting her food down a bit'.   If she has 8 puppies to provide for, she's going to need all the nourishment she can get.   Rather than do this, and risk her drying up (!!), as has been suggested, it would probably be better to draw off some of the milk before the puppies feed...... but again, naturally if the pups are with the dam, they will nurse, sleep, nurse, sleep.   And not get into this guzzling frenzy.

Personally, and with a good mother, I loved the first 3 weeks because it's all up to mum.   It's once weaning begins that my work began - so I used to take advantage of the early days, keeping a close eye on what's going on of course.