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One of my girls had a litter of 4 pup's by c-section pups are premature they are 3 days old the small one is not feeding to good i am having to bottle feeding him. I have given him a drop of nutri drops it is helping mom is still cleaning him the rest are slow to feed.Her milk took 2 days to come through. Any advice would be welcome.

My girl had a litter of 5 by c sect last year it took a little while for her milk to come thru. the smallest pup (who at 7 months is now the largest) needed help with feeding. someone suggested putting one of the stronger pups on the teat first and when milk starts to flow swapping with the weaker. This seemed to work for me. You could also try increasing mums fluid intake by adding some milk (not cows) to her water (i used goats milk). Good Luck
Angela

Hi, First thing to do is make sure he is not dehydrated. Pinch the skin over his withers or on his shoulder, if it springs back at once, no problem, if it stays "up" for a second or two then he needs re-hydrating. Lectade or Diaoralyte given by a bottle or syringe should help. Remember that if he is dehydrated he cannot process the milk you are giving. When I have a puppy who is noticeably doing less well I like to bottle feed as this lets me see exactly how much the pup is taking, rather than relying on it's ability to cope with suckling from Mum. The secret to success is little and often, especially with a weaker pup. As soon as you are satisfied he is gaining weight and loking strong he can then be put back on Mum.
If her milk flow is still not up to expectations I would take her to the vets for an Oxtytocin shot, which makes the milk come down. It is fine to do this even after a C section.
bye
Gwen
By @Brainless (Moderator)
Date 22.03.08 09:16 GMT

I too have found milk slow to come in after a C section which can set back a weaker pup.
Milk production is based on supply and demand so toping a weak pup so it gains strength enough to suckle well from Mum, and then she will produce more. So apart from topping him up put pup on Mum as often as you can.
Mum's milk is always best so as soon as he has recovered ground you want him getting as much from her as he can, even if it meant private sessions on her when others are asleep, or she has left the whelping box.
Barbara and the Grey Curly Tails.
Pups born from a C-Section can be slow to get going,mine screamed for days, and I panicked as mum seemed to have no milk.Also you say yours are premature so that may also be a factor.I was told they still have the affects of the gas from the op.I weighed mine 3 times a day and they were gaining weight, even though to my eye I wasnt sure.I bottle fed also but kept putting them on the teats and let them use my hand to push against so they didnt fall off.Perseverance paid off, and the good news for you is that mum wants to be mum to the pups.Its a worrying time for you, but keeping coming back and asking for help! I presume tube-feeding is another option but it is something I have never done. Fingers crossed for you and the pups...

Another quick thought, don't know if you know the way to encourage a pup to latch on and suck, but after you get pup onto teat gently tickle under chin, this gets the suckign reflex going in a big way.
bye
Gwen
Hi all thank you my pup is holding his own he has just started to twitch in sleep which is the best way to feed on his back or front. Mom is cleaning him.Will be putting him to the teat tomorrow.
Please HELP gave my little one a feed them his breathing became labored noisely now he is quiter & warmer his colouring is normal What now
Morning, sorry things are still worrying for you. It is really difficult trying to guess without being there.What sort of night did the pup have,has he fed etc.I know just having someone to sound off to helps a little.

IT is very hard without actually seeing the puppy, but if there a chance some of the milk may have gone down his airways? Hold him up to your ear and listen to his breathing for any bubbling sound. Have you checked for hydration? How often are you feeding, what are you feeding, what does he weigh now, what did he weigh yesterday? Sorry for all the quesitons, but with more info may be able to give more accurate help.
bye
Gwen
weighs 51/2ozs feeding every 2hours ROYAL CANIN first milk breathing labored.I am walking about with him he is warmer and quiter

Give him a good rub after feeding if he's rattling a bit.
If you can answer Gwen's queries may help for people to give you more advice. Hope pups OK.
My dogs aren't my whole life, but my life wouldn't be whole without them. 05/01/08 11 stone 12 lbs

I know it is a worrying time, you are doing the right thing keeping him warm. Has he gained or lost weight since yesterday? IS he dehydrated at all? Sorry for all the questions, but can't give more helpful advice without knowing. Jsut a though, have you check his palate?
bye
Gwen
By Dill
Date 23.03.08 18:09 GMT

Regarding feeding him, pup on his front with his paws able to paddle and supporting his back paws, just like on mum
Life is what happens while you're making other plans...
Hi sorry to say that my little pup passed away last night the other ones are doing fine now feeding from mum. Thank you all

i'm so sorry. massive {{{{hugs}}}}
you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here
Sorry to hear about your pup.Hand on heart though, you gave it your very best shot, but sometimes it just isnt enough.Take care.

Sorry to hear of your loss,have been reading the threads and keeping up to date.Very sad.Best wishes.
1 Mal is never enough
By Dill
Date 24.03.08 16:05 GMT

Sorry to hear this, it can be heartbreaking sometimes

You did your best for the pup so obviously wasn't meant to be.
Enjoy the ones still in the nest, and know no-one could have done more

{{{HUGS}}}
Dill
Life is what happens while you're making other plans...

So sorry to hear this, some of the littel ones just are not meant to be. Enjoy the rest of the litter, and try not to dwell on the loss.
bye
Gwen
By minnie mouses
Date 29.03.08 12:23 GMT
Edited 30.03.08 08:02 GMT
Thought you might like to know that the remaining pups are doing very well feeding from mum like there is no tomorrow putting weight on. Took them to the vets he was very surprised that they survived.Will always remmeber him but life goes on.

Fantastic new that the pups are all thriving and doing well

Big grin! I'm so pleased for you.
The hurrier I go - the behinder I get!
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