Hi,

My bitch (small gundog breed) whelped on Saturday evening - 6 puppies but 2 were still born. The remaining 4 were small - 4 oz, 5 oz & two of 7 oz. They all put weight on on monday but today the smallest one hadnt put any weight on but hadnt lost any either. He is suckling really well and often so my question is should I be topping him up with welpi or what would everyone suggest. I'm giving him a few drops of life aid to help keep him hydrated as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice - suffice to say I'm desperate to give this pup a chance as he is such a fighter himself.

Personally, I wouldn't be topping him up - I'd let one of the stronger ones get started on one of the bitch's rear teats, then put tiny on to that teat - hold him on if necessary for a good few minutes until he really gets the hang of things.

He has been checked for cleft palette?

Good luck

"ditto" lokis mum !!...good look im sure with what youve said he will soon be the biggst x

Hi Lokis mum - yes he has been checked the vet came out on Sunday to check mum and babies and all OK - definately no cleft palate. I've just weighed him again and from this morning when his weight was the same as yesterdays he has put on 8 grm - not a huge amount but he is only a tiddler so I s'pose thats quite a lot for him. I feel a bit happier now he has gained some weight - unless its a huge poop of course!

Thanks for replying so quick - its such a relief to know that someone will be along to offer advise and re-assurance when needed!

thats great any weight gain is wonderful x

I have had a Golden that was only 5oz if that is any help. We used to get her on the back teats and she would always burrow under the others to stay warm when not feeding. She became a strapping big bitch who is actually about 1 inch over breed standard. As long as he keeps putting some weight on there is plenty of hope.

Yes as Lokis mum said keep putting him on a back teat after one of the bigger pups have started feeding from.  Keep doing this at least every 2 hours, and watch to make sure he is feeding.

I hope all the pups and mum do well. x

sometimes some sub q fluids can make a big difference in one like that

........I dont know what sub q fluids are???? I'm giving him a few drops of life aid liquid to help keep him hydrated if thats a similar thing?

Hi. PM me if you want. I have just reared a litter if 13, medium Gundog breed, with a puppy born  of less than 4oz . He is now a fit and healthy 13 week old enjoying life with his new family.

Diane

Kelly McKoy means 'subcutaneous fluids' - injecting fluids under the skin (as opposed to into a vein) - in this country you'd need a vet to do that.

...........thanks for all the info everyone! Just to let you know that the wee fella has now put on some more weight and as of today weighs 5.5 oz (hes put on 22 grams) so i'm really pleased. I hope he continues to do well.

Thats good news.  Hope he continues to thrive, bless him. x

thats really good news!!! hope he continues to grow and grow x

Hi, hope your boy is doing well still.  I'm sure he'll catch up with his siblings as soon as they're weaned.  We've had 2oz pups from a medium sized dog & they've gone on to be the same size as their siblings if not bigger in some case!  I know how worrying the first few weeks are, I don't know what I'd do with CD to be honest