When you rescue pregnant undernourished moms, there is always the chance that some of the puppies will be stillborn or die after birth for whatever reason. Our rescue group has been very fortunate over the past four years, but sooner or later the odds catch up. Last Friday and Saturday we experienced just such a situation.
Allie, a first time mom, had 11 puppies and all did very well till day 4 of their lives, when one female was no longer with the litter and obviously failing. We consulted a vet, and he recommended that we weigh the pup and do supplemental feedings for 48 hours. If she gained weight and got stronger, to continue supplementing as it was probably just a nutrition problem with a huge litter and a new mom. Baby Girl did improve - for about 4 days - and then she hit a wall. She would nurse and drink from her bottle, but she wasn't gaining any longer. The other pups in the litter were first twice, then three times, and then four times her size. On Saturday she refused to eat, and later that day she quietly passed away on my lap.
Olive blessed us with five live pups on January 3. There was one stillborn pup. All of the remaining pups were doing great till day four, when the female puppy was isolated from the rest - a sure sign something was wrong. Following the vet's advice, I started feeding her, but she passed away a few hours later. In this particular case, a cleft palate was responsible - she was nursing but wasn't able to utilize the nutrients.
I have dealt with puppies and kittens for many many years, and although I know from experience that when a pup or kitten is isolated from a litter and in trouble, it usually doesn't turn out well, I still have to try. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Olive and Allie knew instinctively what I would find out in time.
By the way, there is a great product from Manna Pro, called "Nurse All". It's a milk replacer for dogs, cats, pups, kittens, and 9 species of farm animals. It's available at your local farm store and is reasonably priced and mixes up easily without a lot of lumps. It's an all milk product, the puppies love it, and it does not cause diarrhea.
The rest of the puppies in each litter are growing, eating, and Allie's pups have their eyes open and are starting to get very mobile. Allie decided she needed a little time off the other day and jumped three fences to visit the neighbor's alpacas, great pyrs, Tippy, Cinder, and Abby. My hubby went to get her, and she loves riding in the car! Having such a big litter has been a little much for her, so I am supplementing their feed to help her out. They are cutting teeth and slurping formula. They will be three weeks old on Friday.
Olive has been a mom many many times. She keeps her babies close, and there are four little boys that are fat and happy.
While I have to try, a very wise person once told me something that I won't ever forget - "Maggie, you can't rob God."
Allie, a first time mom, had 11 puppies and all did very well till day 4 of their lives, when one female was no longer with the litter and obviously failing. We consulted a vet, and he recommended that we weigh the pup and do supplemental feedings for 48 hours. If she gained weight and got stronger, to continue supplementing as it was probably just a nutrition problem with a huge litter and a new mom. Baby Girl did improve - for about 4 days - and then she hit a wall. She would nurse and drink from her bottle, but she wasn't gaining any longer. The other pups in the litter were first twice, then three times, and then four times her size. On Saturday she refused to eat, and later that day she quietly passed away on my lap.Olive blessed us with five live pups on January 3. There was one stillborn pup. All of the remaining pups were doing great till day four, when the female puppy was isolated from the rest - a sure sign something was wrong. Following the vet's advice, I started feeding her, but she passed away a few hours later. In this particular case, a cleft palate was responsible - she was nursing but wasn't able to utilize the nutrients.
I have dealt with puppies and kittens for many many years, and although I know from experience that when a pup or kitten is isolated from a litter and in trouble, it usually doesn't turn out well, I still have to try. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Olive and Allie knew instinctively what I would find out in time.
By the way, there is a great product from Manna Pro, called "Nurse All". It's a milk replacer for dogs, cats, pups, kittens, and 9 species of farm animals. It's available at your local farm store and is reasonably priced and mixes up easily without a lot of lumps. It's an all milk product, the puppies love it, and it does not cause diarrhea.
The rest of the puppies in each litter are growing, eating, and Allie's pups have their eyes open and are starting to get very mobile. Allie decided she needed a little time off the other day and jumped three fences to visit the neighbor's alpacas, great pyrs, Tippy, Cinder, and Abby. My hubby went to get her, and she loves riding in the car! Having such a big litter has been a little much for her, so I am supplementing their feed to help her out. They are cutting teeth and slurping formula. They will be three weeks old on Friday.
Olive has been a mom many many times. She keeps her babies close, and there are four little boys that are fat and happy.
While I have to try, a very wise person once told me something that I won't ever forget - "Maggie, you can't rob God."
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