Hi has anyone had this problem ,
I had a puppy born at 10oz after 2 weeks only gained 3oz . Very strong feeding from mum but not gaining , so I started bottle feeding and the pup after feeding started having bits of milk coming from nostrils so changed to sponge and same thing .so now tube feeding and it's still doing it . Iv checked for a cleft palate and cant see anything wrong , pup is active and latches on well ,very greedy. Even tried to keep pup upright for 10 mins after but as soon as he starts moving about milk appears . I have a vet appointment tomorrow for a check up but want to see if anyone else has experienced this x

I would suspect a cleft at the back of the mouth, which can be very difficult to see. If you can have someone hold the puppy steady while you open its mouth wide and shine a torch you should be able to spot any abnormality better than trying to do it single-handedly.

Hopefully vets can double check for me . I just didnt think that it would still have milk coming out if tube feed x

Surely it can't be a cleft palate? I don't see how if you are tube feeding milk would come out of the nose - that doesn't make sense.

Just been to the vets no cleft palate . Vet checked pup over and said all was ok . Wont give antibiotics until 6 weeks of age . So hopefully milk wont get into lungs ..... will keep puppy upright for 20 mins after feeding to see if this helps .

Snowmaes
My thought exactly x

The only time we've had this going on was with a disaster whelping after I took my bitch in for a C.Section, late evening, and the vet (senior partner) on duty in the absence on holidays of the regular vet we saw there, delayed doing the Section.  It was only after the locum vet came on duty the next morning that she discovered what was going on and acted.  There should have been 9 puppies but 4 had died.  The staff bottle-fed the survivors, then 5 but very sadly milk was coming through his nose when we arrived to pick them all up.  Despite my best efforts, obviously milk had gone onto his lungs and we lost him shortly after coming home.  I don't, to this day, know why the staff felt it was necessary to be bottle-feeding them - they needed rest and warmth and I think that puppy was probably too weak to swallow properly.   I'd assume the operating locum had checked the puppies so whether he had a cleft palate I don't know.   I do know when she called in to check on mum and the puppies later that day, she was gobsmacked to see that I had the remaining 4 latched onto mum and nursing happily.

I too don't understand, if you have been tube-feeding this puppy, he'd have milk coming through his nose.  Only gaining that much after 2 weeks must mean something isn't right.   Is he quiet after feeding?   I might need a second opinion.

That's annoying - it is perfectly safe to give puppies antibiotics to puppies - we've done it several times over the years.

If you are tube feeding, are you sure you are getting the tube into the puppy's stomach?  If you get any into the lungs, you will aspirate the pup and can result in pneumonia... If the pups are strong enough to take a bottle, I'd be doing that by 2 weeks...

> If you are tube feeding, are you sure you are getting the tube into the puppy's stomach?  If you get any into the lungs, you will aspirate the pup and can result in pneumonia... If the pups are strong enough to take a bottle, I'd be doing that by 2 weeks...

I haven't had to tube feed but I'd agree with this comment.  But if the tube feeding is being done to avoid the milk coming back down the nose, perhaps this is best.   I still think something else is going on, if only because of the lack of weight gain

I stopped the tube feeding and put him back on mum and then a top up of bottle because hes so hungry all the time . Now a pound in weight so gaining slowly hes active and holds his own when on mum but just dosnt seem to get enough milk . Then once feed iv been holding him upright for a few mins he settles down . Then put him back with the others and then he will sneeze milk a few times . Hes fine while asleep it just now when he moves that it comes out ...  also when resting hes always licking his lips like hes swallowing ... wonder if it's some sort of reflux

Sometimes you just can't tell when they are this little if it's something or not, but usually it becomes apparent as they get older so you should know soon - as long as he is gaining, you're going the right direction.

Megaesophagus? No idea of the early signs or if it can be mild

It can be congenital in puppies or acquired in adults.

Has the puppy been examined by a vet with experience of Megaesophagus ? Usually becomes more evident when weaning starts

Thanks for the replys . Been reading so much dosnt seem to be any of the above but obviously he has vets again in 2 weeks . Hopefully we have turned a corner ,I have been feeding the puppy with mince soaked in milk and nothing from his nostrils , also when feeding from mum nothing from nostrils.  So pleased it's been 2 days and he has gain another 4oz .

How is the pup doing now? i know its an old advert but i have a very similar pup so would be good to know how yours is now.

The OP Is NOT an advert

For gods sake don't be so petty !!

This is a forum to ask for and share advice and also help others..i have never in my life seen such a rediculous reply as yours...it doesnt even make sense..i do hope she comes on and replies and makes you look stupid..if you dint have anything nice to say please dont reply at all,i have a poorly pup and was desperate to hear another like her had made,that was all,you are very heartless!

And can i just add that my wife put the word ADVERT instead of POST..that was all,any normal person wouldve known what we meant!

I totally agree, her post was totally unecessary.

Flipping heck boys and girls...
This isn’t helping at all.
I think  Davidw that maybe if you start a new topic and give as much information and details as possible that people might be able to offer some helpful advice.

If you start a new thread under breeding asking the question and a bit of info on the puppy. Hopefully you will get more replies than an extension of this one.