dehydration is a killer, even more important than food is fluid. Trying to force feed puppies who are not thriving can kill them, much safer to hydrate them sub q than say by tube feeding formula. It's amazing how it can perk up a weak puppy (unless there is some internal organ problem going on). If you have never done it or are nervous, just have your vet show you how. I would be surprised if a vet frowned upon sending you home with fluids after a litter.
e

Hi Rod
Thankfully not often, but it has saved lives the few times we had to use it. It's just such an easy thing to have on hand and hopefully you never have to use it. I don't like to do it, anytime you poke a baby puppy with a needle it makes me cry, but better than loosing them.
I know people say see if the skin stands up when you pinch it too indicate dehydration, but if it gets to that point you are really in a tight spot. A puppy that is just not thriving or not eating well can be a candidate for fluid, until I talk to the vet (I do not like to take pupies to the vet.. just not a good environment), as breeders, we have to do allot of home nursing, even many vets will tell you they are not well versed in infant care, breeders have way more practice than they do at it, unless they are also a breeder themselves or specialized in pediatrics. That being said, I don't really do much without consulting a vet, but its funny how disasters seem to happen at the most inconvvenient times.
e

bring this litter back to the vets, they wouldn't WAKE UP after there c section for over 6 hours, I went back to the vets and he sub Q ed them to buy me till morning, and hydrate them. They did awake half way though the night to get there first meal, but I'm not sure if they would of been strong enough to nurse going 10 hours without eating since birth, they were fairly small?? I think its good to have on hand.

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

bring home a bag of IV fluid and some syringes from the vet. Have them show you how to put the fluid under the skin. It can be a lifesaver for sick puppies and mommas too if you cannot get to the vet in a jiffy.. say in the middle of the night or on a weekend.
I never do a litter without it.
e

How many times have you had to give fluid under the skin? My wife has been doing this since the 80's and never had to. Never lost one from dehydration either.. And like I said, a bitch that doesn't drink water wile nursing is a new one on us.. I am sure having IV fluid and syringes is a good idea now. And I will in the future, but is this really all that common?

i had to give her chicken broth with noolde soup just to get her to eat. She did start drinking about 10 days in to pups, she didnt have alot of milk, never filled up but the puppies gained. of couse we had 2.

Make some jellow with pedialite and broth too.


Vicky

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

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Bulldog Club of Greater Seattle
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I am not a breeder, and cannot speak from experience.

However, my bulldog like ice, which contains alot of water.....maybe that would help.

I have this on hand all the time for my bully kids. Rod, it really seems to give them a boost and hydrates quickly. Good Luck.

Non flavor pedialyte in their water to help boost them some!

Laurie


LaBonte Bulldogs

a little salt. You can either give her the chicken or eat it yourself as chicken salad.

She should lap it right up.

Also broth and soup are usually pretty salty which may cause her to drink more.

Sue

My female did the same thing this litter!!!! I was very stressed about it, I had picked up Pedialyte for the pups but ended up giving it to the mother with her water half and half. It did work though!!! She never increased her water intake the whole time nursing???? not sure why she usally drinks alot!

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

in a spray bottle and spray it in her mouth. Mine will drink out of a spray bottle and that was the only way I could get MacKenzie to drink when he was sick.

I would definitely call your Vet. Is she dehydrated? If you pinch the skin does it bounce back to normal or does it stick? Is she eating? If she is eating I would try and soak her dog food. Mix her water with pedialyte 50 / 50. This will help to keep up her electrolytes and can only help to keep her hydrated. Good luck.

Dennis
MyToy Bulldogs
www.mytoybulldogs.com
http://www.mytoybulldogs.com

Chicken broth ice cubes. Or...get some K9Puppy Gold and mix that as a drink, I would give that to my bitches after each puppy feeding. They loved it and it full of vitamins.

Get you some ringers,bags,etc... and put some fluids in your bitch A.S.A.P.
anesthesia and pain meds can easily Dehydrate your bitch .Good Luck ....

Is she an eater? If so, try boiling up some chicken, soak her food in the broth and add the cooked shredded chicken also. Or, soak her food in warm water and add canned meat. You can try pedialyte in her drinking water like others suggested.

Good luck bro
Scott

Thanks Deb

I will pick some up in the morning..

No, not dehydrated.. She is eating..

pedialyte 50 / 50.. I learn something new everyday! This is a first for me. I never had a bitch that didn't want to drink a ton of water while nursing ..

Thanks Shelly -

I wonder if she would drink a diluted chicken broth too? First time I ever heard of K9Puppy Gold.. Petsmart carry it? I know I have chicken broth in the cupboard.. I may try that in a few minutes..

Hopefully it wont come to that.. She is drinking (some), but not as much as I would like her to.

Thanks for the tip.