Can anyone tell me whether it's OK/normal for puppies to lose weight over the first couple of days of their life?  Most of my litter are putting on now (day 2), but a couple have lost a bit.  Thanks

I can remember some of my pups losing weight during the first couple of days, but by the time they reached 1 week they had all gained and had gone over their birth weight.

yes they can loose a little in the first 48hrs but healthy pups will gain it back ... keep a check on the weights dailey ..they should be double their birth weights in 7 days
..good luck

I think some of these rules depend on breed - with mine I would be Ok with them dropping a little from birth weight in the first 24 hours, but would expect gain from then on, and any who losses in day 2 would flag a warning signal.  And we dont expect double in weight till day 10!

bye
Gwen

I remeber getting in a right state because my pups didn't souble their weight.  Obviously a 6 oz pup might, but one born at a pound (my breed average is 10 to 12oz) are likely to loose a little, and then regain.

My breeder rest her soul told me to throw my scales away, as I used to panic about it, and go on how pups looked, were they filling out, well hydrated and content?

I still weigh as a guide, but not too often, unless things seem amiss.  Interestingly pups all seem to average similar by 8 to 10 weeks, no matter if they were small pups early on, or heavy weights.

Also it is never possible to say that the big pup will become a b ig adult and vice versa.

Thanks all of you for your advice.  They've all put on weight since yesterday, and all except one are over their birth weight now, and that one has put on 30g since yesterday so I feel more positive.  They're much smaller than previous litters we've had, so I worry more.

On a lighter note, has anyone got a cure for a nursing bitch with dreadful wind!!  She was obviously uncomfortable last night, and is practically blowing the pups across the whelping box this morning!  I did worry about eclampsia last night as she was very restless and uncomfortable, and was panting and digging up the whelping box, but she's more settled this morning (after she spent the whole night with me on the floor stroking her - I'm glad she feels better!)

Hi Jan
My pus are 10 days now and some of mine have gained more some days than others , one did not really gain much at all for a couple of days and is now averaging a couple of ounces each day. My bitch also was restless and digging a bit, someone told me it can be 'after pains' that humans can get wjhen the uterus is contracting back to its normal state. try not to worry i am sure all is well
HTH
Sue :)

Try charcoal for wind - just powder a bit of artists charcoal in her food. It works a treat.