4oz puppy-any suggestions on increasing it's chances of survival?
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4oz puppy-any suggestions on increasing it's chances of survival?
Submitted by thunderstruckbulldog on April 21, 2010 - 12:13amI also posted this to the medical board just thought for those who don't frequent that board might address it here.....
My Nikki had her litter of pups today and had 4 babydolls(3B/1G). 3 of the pups range in size from 9-10 oz, then we had one littlebit that weighed in at 4 oz. He seems very strong for so small a pup, he's easy to latch on. This is my plan, please advise if you think I can do anything difference to enhance his chances.
Feeding every 1 1/2 hours for about 20 minutes-since I am doing this for little man the others are also eating on this schedule. I just tube fed him 1cc(3/4 nurturall C and 1/4 pedialyte). I plan to tube feed him every other feeding but also let him nurse off of mom to get the colostrum and hopefully in the next few days he can gain a few ounces and get him to an acceptable weight. I try to keep an extra eye on them to make sure he is warm.
We've had 5 & 6 oz puppies before and they survive but this is probably the tiniest skinny bulldog puppy I've ever seen.
THANKS!!!
L
Laura
Thunderstruck Bulldogs
http://sitekreator.com/thunderstruckbulldog/index.html
To those who understand no explanation is needed. To those who don't no explanation is possible.
Update on puppy
He is 2 days old now and still with us. He still weighs 4oz tho. The not gaining has me concerned. He seems very strong and nurses good, he's just 1/2 the size of his littermates. He is lacking a little hair on the feet and ears so he might be a tad underbaked.
)).
I'll post pix as soon as a get a chance. Feeding every 1 1/2 hrs leaves me little time to take pix
Thanks everyone who posted!!
L
Laura
Thunderstruck Bulldogs
http://sitekreator.com/thunderstruckbulldog/index.html
To those who understand no explanation is needed. To those who don't no explanation is possible.
Laura
I have seen alot of pups actually lose weight before gaining, so the fact he is maintaining his weight is GREAT!! If the rest are full term he should grow out of it
but be careful not to overfeed or he will get the runs :{ 
Congrat's on the litter and best of luck with the little guy
http://www.ThunderBullies.com
Best of luck Laura...
Everyone's suggestions are wonderful.
Wild West Bulldogs
I had a 4 oz puppy in my litter of 7
my 4 0z girl was just fine. She had plenty of strength to nurse, and actually made a lot of noise if I pulled her off before she was finished nursing.
If the puppy was a full term puppy, she should do just fine. I was told by many breeders that my puppy would not likely make it...Jan Lewis told me she was a full term puppy and would do fine..and she did. She is actually a nicer bitch now than two other bitches in the litter that looked to be nicer at 8 weeks old. Play it by ear and instinct. Let nature take it's course if it is a full term puppy,it will develop in it's own time...just give it that extra time to nurse and you should have no worries about it.
Best of Luck! And prayers for a strong puppy like I had!
Beverly
let the little guy....
stay on the teat, preferablly a back one, as they historically contain more. Hydration as everyone said is crucial, and unflavored pedialyte is best. I think Dan can help me with this, that after the 48 hour period, and mommas milk comes in, the long feeds may lead to overfeed, as you have more volume available in same amount of time.This will result in diarrea.
Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.
-In memory of Casper
Colostrum
Recent studies have indicated that the time span for actually absorbing antibodies from colostrum is much shorter than originally thought. Also the antibodies in colostrum are species specific--cow colostrum provides antibodies for cows, people for people, canine for canine. However colostrum is more digestible and easier on the immature digestive tract. Weight gain for this baby is as important as hydration. He can't afford to lose a gram.
Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/
Supplementing during colostrum phase
It is my understanding that supplementing with anything other than Pedialyte (or similar electrolyte solutions) or colostrum replacer during the 1st 48 hours or so when the pups are getting colostrum from their dam will inhibit the transference of maternal immunity.
Colostrum is made up of a specific size protein that is different from the proteins in regular bitches' milk or milk replacer. Once the digestive track is exposed to the "normal" proteins it changes and can no longer utilize the proteins in the colostrum in the same manner.
If he is getting colostrum when he nurses but is having trouble staying hydrated, I would continue the Pedialyte but leave out the milk replacer until he is past the 48 hour mark.
Good luck with your litter.
Dan Bandy