Hi,
Does anyone know the best milk supplement on the market for hand rearing puppies?
Reason why is that i visited a terrier breeder the other day & they have a litter of puppies due to be born anytime & he said they are too inbred so he is going to drown them all.
I was horrified
I said i would have them & hand rear them all & find good pet homes for them where they will not be bred from.
He said i could pick them up when they are born so i will.
No matter how much of a mistake the mating was the poor pups should at least have a chance of life & just because they are too inbred (full brother & sister) dosent' mean they wouldn't make someone a smashing pet.
So i will try my best to rear them i have done it before so know the score & the hours i will have to put in but i'm not letting a brood of pups be killed because of human neglect.
They should kennel the dog up so he dosen't mate all the bitchs.
Regards
Angela.

Wow, that's going to be hard work but well worth it as long as the pups are ok. I use Litterlac, my bitch had eclampsia when the pups were 2 weeks old and I used this ever since with no problems, they are now happy plump puppies! My vet also recommended using Welpi.

Good luck, let us know how you get on

I think its safe to say i live in the north west area.
It is a hunt kennels so they care nothing for these puppies really but they care about the bitch as its one of the foundation bitchs.
They would not let me take the bitch until the puppies are on their feet i already asked them that.
I have drawn up a contract though which they have agreed to & i shall have full ownership of the litter when born so they wil not come back for money.
I doubt i will get much for the puppies anyway, but all i am bothered about i that i can give them a chance of life & good homes at the end of it.
Bye
Angela.

Good luck Angela, its going to be a lot of hard work, I hope you will be getting some help. I can't understand why they won't let you have the bitch, she isn't going to be fit for work for a week or two anyway, even if you only had her for a couple of weeks it would give the pups such a good start. Its really poor kennel management to let the mating happen in the first place :(

Hi
You have a big job an your hands credit to you, and id do the same, just have to make sure temperaments are ok if too inbred and also there could be some health problems..maybe not but just to make you aware.
The milk supplements are welpi and lactol although i find the welpi a bit creamier, I also use 4 parts evaporated cream to 1 part water and they only need this every 4 hours rather than two because it has a higher fat content..but I usually use this along with mums milk so they get everything they need.
I wish you all the best and hope all goes well :)
Tracey

Hi Angela,

Sorry you have had this put on your plate, I know nothing of the situation but to kill them at birth is awful. I just can't understand why the person didn't terminate to pregnancy.

I have heard good results with Whelpi.

Could the breeder not let the bitch feed them for a few weeks just so they get the best start in life?

Pam

Or would he let you take the bitch in before the birth and keep her until they are weaned?

Excellent Idea isobel. It is really odd and cruel.

Pam

I use welpi as my preference but I think that Isabels idea of taking on the bitch until the pups are weaned is very good. However, if not then you have a hard time ahead. Where abouts in the country are you there may be one or more of us nearby that can help out.
Bec

I use NutroLac from the Animal Health Company. It's what they call goats milk replacement with added bodyguard. I have used it with all my puppies and they have all loved it. I would also advise that you get a heat pad for the puppies, they are pricelless when it comes to keeping the puppies at the right temperature. Good luck with the rearing of the puppies it's a huge job to undertake and you are a very brave person to do so. I do hope it all works out for you and just watch out that the breeder does not come back and expect some money from you or the puppies back when they get to a certain age. Funny - no it's not funny, it's very sad that money can very quickly change some folks mind. Good luck and do let us all know how you get on, we're all rooting for you.

Margaret

Wow, Good on you :) I would recommend NutroLac as well, it is easy to some buy, and works great, good luck!

I have hand reared a litter of labs on Skinners milk. It was very good and when Guide dogs came to look at the litter they thought they were twice as old as they actually were.

I have hand reared a litter of labs on Skinners milk. It was very good and when Guide dogs came to look at the litter they thought they were twice as old as they actually were.

was that for two litters Nicolla :D or perhaps a REPEAT mating :D
SORRY ;D
tRACEY

BEST MILK IS Litterlac, YOU WILL GET IF FROM JUDGES CHOICE .CO.UK £ 26.00 FOR 5 KG BAG WELL WORTH IT TAKES 3 DAYS TO ARRIVE

Hiya Angie,

I can't be of any help as I haven't had my first litter yet, but i just wanted to say, I think what you're doing is great.

It'll be hard work, but i hope it all goes really well.

Best of luck

Lisa :)

Thanks everyone for all your support and advice.
The bitch has not had the puppies yet but i have been told has stopped eating so it could be this weekend.
I just hope they are all born without any problems,poor mites:(
Thanks Angela.

Hi just thought i'd give you all an update the bitch had her puppies 5 of them unfortunately 3 were stillborn 2 boys have survived & are growing well & believe it or not i pusuaded the breeder to leave the pups with mum!!!!!!!!:)
He has however left the task for me to find pet homes for them so that i have done & they should if all keeps going well have a good life with their new owners.
All has turned out alot differently but i am just glad i stopped them from drowning the poor mites as it wasn't the pups fault they were conceived.
Thanks all
Angie.