breeders...help please re; puppy feeding

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PennywithHenry

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Right, following my 2 previous posts....

We're kind of getting somewhere, it's just taken the best part of the day to achieve lol

The tiny 3oz puppy is in with my cat, who's feeding and cleaning her, as he kept getting pushed out. Yes I know it's sometimes natures way, but the cat was willing to give him a chance (in fact I only popped him with the cat so that he'd stay warm while I phoned the vet, she decided to 'adopt' him) The vet said we can but try, even if we end up topping up feeds etc ourselves. The poor little mite is smaller than the kittens, but is being very well looked after.

I have the others feeding at 2 hour intervals, when I sit with the bitch whilst she nurses. One pup finds his way straight in there, one needs a little help finding the teat but I'm having problems getting the third one to latch on. I managed to and she pawed and sucked and squeaked like she was really frustrated, then fell off and I couldn't get her back on any of them, there's definately milk coming out, and the vet has checked her mouth etc for any reason why she wouldn't, they were all checked over last night.

The bitch will sit and let them suckle if I'm not there, but won't lay down for them (apparantly she fed hers sat up) and being only 3 days old the two others need the little extra help.

Shall I persevere, or formula feed the one I can't seem to get latched on properly, or top them all up with the formula?

Also, which is best so that I can stock up should I need to feed myself, bottles or sryinges?
 

Sounds like you are doing a great job. I'm not a breeder but my guess would be to top up with formula just so you can make sure they are getting sufficient, and peace of mind for you
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Good luck, how are they all this morning?
 
Thanks. The one with the cat is doing well, lovely and warm, my main concern is keeping the others at the right temperature now. it gets so warm during the day and so cold at night, foster mum doesn't sit or sleep with them.

However, my alarm went off at one of my 2 hour intervals in the early morning and when she saw me she got up and there was a pup swinging from her teat lol so I'm assuming that she will feed should they need it, but I shall keep up with the 2 hour routine, just in case...I'm a worrier! I don't know whether she''s 'clicking' with them or her milks coming in every X amount of hours so she's feeding to relieve it, but whatever it is it involves pups being fed, so that's the main thing.

I have some pics I'll post up later of the cuckoo in the nest so to speak, the very proud pussy cat and her extra bundle!

Must go, I'm not 100% sure if I'm expected at work or not, can't remember what was said yesterday....
 
We had a little pup in our litter that was just as you describe, kept slipping off the teat. I did try to give her replacement milk (I use nutrolac and have to say I am very pleased with it)in a baby feeding bottle but she didn't take much that way either. We dropped a bit in with the tiny syringe that came with the wormer but she didn't like it being forced in. After lots of advice I kept trying her with mum, putting her on and staying with her often when the others weren't about. She is still only half the size of the biggest ones at nearly 4 weeks but growing daily so I am starting to relax a bit. Oh, and she feeds fine now.
I realise it isn't going to be the same for yours with Mum not being their Mum but I hope something of what I've said might help.
The champdogs forum is a wealth of breeding information too, you could try there for more advice.
 
Cross posted with you....do you have a heat mat in their bed, that will ensure they keep warm even if the Mum isn't there and they can choose whether to lie on it or not.
10 out of 10 to pussy cat! Does she have milk then? Bless!
 
Hi dizzykizzy-thanks for replying. Yes, I went out and bought a heat pad thing to give them the option, I'm also in there frequently to check them, the weather's awful at the moment, one moment it's hot, the next it's cold...I also bought a heatlamp but haven't needed to use it yet (these are proving v.expensive pups considering they're not even mine lol) I suppose they're handy to have at any rate.

Mummy cat has kittens, 3, not 2, as I originally posted, and has milk, obvously, for them. Like I say, I was trying to get hold of the vet, unwrap the heatlamp and ten other things, so the logical thing seemed to be to pop baby in the cats bed to get a little of her body heat while I quickly got sorted...I didn't expect an adoption!

Here she is....spot the odd one out...or should that be plural? The daft cow stole another one while I was outside with foster mum....It has been placed back with foster mum now though.

feeding.jpg
 

Awww, bless the cat, thats such a cute pic
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Sounds like she'd happily take two on, maybe an option? at least that'd be another one you don't have to worry about (until it starts to meow of course
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Hey, i'm new here but will reply to this before I introduce myself where im supposed to!

bit of advice, i'd keep up with the assisted feeding, I use Welpi with my pups, althought touch wood we havent had a problem with our litters recently.

If the pup has cats milk it wint be nutrionally balance enough for him so using formula will really help.

im a vet nurse and breed as well so if you have specific questions please feel free to shout!!

Jo
 
Hi how is puppy now?

Whelpi is what i used to feed our pups on.Bitch had 9,fed them first day then got really ill,resulting in her milk drying up!! Poor girl had to be fed and carried down for toilet for a week.

Hand feeding is very taxing,they need stimulating for toilet first, and they get constipated lots too.

Well done super kitty for taking on the baby.

Mel
 
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