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 #2107313


Ammeratsu
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 Puppy Trouble

I’ve been watching them, and even handling them a little. the first three are doing great. They move around and make a lot of noise and nurse, and twitch while they sleep.

But the last puppy that came out is struggling a bit. I’m getting a little worried. He doesnt move much. He doesnt make much noise. He generally just lies there and when you pick him up he feels limper than the other puppies. He’s also the biggest.

What should I do? Should I make sure he gets extra food or should I feed him with some formula or what should I do? I want him to be okay.
12/22/09  04:16pm

 #2107354


LizaB2008
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2107313


 Puppy Trouble

Well the first question I have to ask is... Is he nursing at all? If he is nursing he should be fine. I you really feel like he isn’t geting enough from his mother then give him the formula. Remember, his mother’s milk in more nutritional then the puppy formula, so if it is possible let him feed off of her. Keep watching him, if he’s not nursing then you need to call the vet, One of our danes had a problem with her tracea and even though she fed, she didn’t get anything. She died even though we spent every last penny of the puppy money trying to save her. It is very uncommon in puppies, but very possible. Just keep and eye on him and keep informing us. He may just be weak, an under no circumstance use any kind of calcium suppliment, he is a large breed puppy and extra calcium causes early hip dysplasia and joint problems.



12/22/09  06:29pm

 #2107361


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: LizaB2008   In reference to Message Id: 2107354


 Puppy Trouble

He is nursing. Just as much as the others. I just think he’s a little weak and keeps getting pushed away. he doesn’t feel as full as the others. So far, whenever I hear him crying I go over and everyone’s nursing and he keeps getting pushed away. So I manually attach him to a nipple, and he seems fine after that. I just want to make sure he’s okay.
12/22/09  07:01pm

 #2107364


LizaB2008
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2107361


 Puppy Trouble

As long as he is nursing as much as possible he’ll be fine. It’s ok to worry, you don’t want anything to go wrong, it’s your first litter. As long as he’s nursing and gaining weight he’ll be fine. He’s the biggest puppy, they are always the healthiest. Just keep an eye on him, if he doesn’t get to nurse as much as the other puppies, it’s ok to feed him a little formula and let him nurse, just so long as your letting him nurse. He gets his antibodies from mom, without her milk he’ll have an unhealthy immune system. You don’t want a sickly pup.

I you feel like he isn’t getting enough, like I said, do half and half formula and mothers milk. I myself prefer to use goats milk in place of moms milk instead of formula, it’s better for them. But if you can’t get ahold of that, use the formula. The goats milk has the nutrition he’ll need though.



12/22/09  07:08pm

 #2107366


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: LizaB2008   In reference to Message Id: 2107364


 Puppy Trouble

Okay, thanks. I’ll just keep an eye on him.

I also have another question. I can’t get Rikka to leave them. I’ve had to almost drag her outside to go to the bathroom, but she won’t even do it. She just sits at the door and waits. I fed her rice and softened kibbles, and she ate that, but I can’t get her to eat her normal food. I put her bowl in her box and she started growling at her puppies when they came near, so I took it away. I can’t get her to drink very much either. She won’t eat or drink much when she’s with her puppies, but she won’t stand for being separated from them. what can I do?
12/22/09  07:12pm

 #2107385


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2107366


 Puppy Trouble

Okay, well, these problems seem to have spontaneously resolved themselves.

The puppy is looking stronger. I’ve just been giving him some extra attention. Whenever they start nursing, I make sure he gets a nipple. When he gets pushed away, I move him back. He’s looking a bit stronger.

Rikka seems to be getting use to the idea that she goes outside every few hours. Whenever I offer water, she drinks some. But she’ll only eat her food if I let it soak a little in warm water so its soft.
12/22/09  08:19pm

 #2107419


LizaB2008
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2107385


 Puppy Trouble

The thing you have to remeber with dogs is that by nature, they are good mothers. The only on their mind for the first week of having puppies is taking care of and protecting those puppies. She may very well starve herself and not eat or drink, because naturally, in the wild they seperate themselves from the pack and stay by themselves for weeks without eating or drinking anything. It will get better after a few weeks, but right now her puppies aren’t able to defend themselves or hide so she feels like she has to be with them 24/7 or something will get them. Just put her food and water in the room with her, away from her puppies and box and try letting her out, if she refuses just leave her. That last thing you want is for her to flip out on you because she thinks something is going to harm her babies.

Give it a few weeks and she’ll leave them for a few, but for now just let her stay with them, don’t make her leave them because in her mind their helpless and the other female in the house could try and steal her puppies or kill them. She has to be there. It’ll get better when their eyes start to open and they lose the umbillical chord. I promise. Just give her time.



12/22/09  10:40pm


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