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Author
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Topic: Need help quick--puppies
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sgour
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posted July 16, 2004 07:52 AM
As DaxAriel's toy said, you do need to boil the water when sterilizing the nipples ad bottles, and distilled water is great, just warm it up a little in the microwave before feeding.
As far as refridgerating and reusing old milk, I wouldn't recommend it. It is best to make a new bottle each feeding. I have never really htough it to be a good idea to heat milk, then cool it and then heat it again. A new, clean bottle should be used each time.
I wouldn't worry about the sound they make after eating. My sister used to do it after I would feed her when she was a baby. If you think they have mucus in their throats take a bulb syringe (baby buger ****** ) and try cleaning the back of their throats. There may still be some fluid in their since mom was so busy whelping sooo many pups.
As far as the flow of the nipple, it should be realtively slow flow because when a pup is nursing they will suck quite hard to get the milk out and keep it flowing. You don't want to much to coming out because they will be unable to keep up and then problems such as ellierat described can occur.
Don't worry about too many questions, that is what this forum is for, and everyone here is more than willing to help you through this. Ellierat is a saint, isn't she? ANd it is true, as far as puppies go I think she does know more than any vet. SHe has A LOT of experience and has helped me more than you could imagine. Talk about asking to many questions. You should see all the emails I sent her ![[Smile]](smile.gif) .
I am glad all is going well, keep it up, and ask any questions you need to.
Shannon
Posts: 51 | From: South Bend, IN | Registered: May 2004
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AndreaMoon
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Member # 1210
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posted July 16, 2004 12:57 PM
This is so confusing to me... they were doing good with sucking on the teat (esp the male) but now all of the sudden they're having a hard time with it. Nothing is plugging up the hole or anything. I'm wondering if they would be better off if I took them to a shelter where they knew what they were doing. If something happens to them I will always feel so guilty. But I've heard of people feeding pups by inserting a needles in them and I wouldn't want that. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Posts: 41 | From: IL | Registered: Jul 2004
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AndreaMoon
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posted July 16, 2004 01:09 PM
I was just talking to my mom and I started to mention taking the pups to the shelter and I couldn't even get it out because I started crying. I'm torn.
Posts: 41 | From: IL | Registered: Jul 2004
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sgour
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posted July 16, 2004 02:06 PM
I think what you may be talking about is tube feeding. That is when you stick a tube (not a needle) down the dogs throat to their stomach, and you insert the formula from a syringe into the tube. This way you can monitor how much the pups are eating, and it is good for pups who are to weak to nurse. I would talk to a vet first, but maybe this is something you could try. It sounds horrible, but it is better than them starving to death. It is not recommended once the eyes are open, because they tend to squirm a lot, but it may give them the energy they need to nurse on their own. But like I said, I would talk to a vet first, and if they recommend it, they can show you how to do it.
As far as taking the pups to a shelter, in my area anyway, the staff is not nearly knowledgable enough to handle two orphan pups. They would probably send them to the rescue group for that breed, or simply put them down.
Have you done what ellierat suggested? Checked the roof of their mouths? Cleft palet is the only thing I can think of that would give them trouble with nursing. Are they gaining wieght at least? Do they look any bigger?
Now I know you said there is nothing blocking the hole, is there only one hole in the nipple. Try putting a coupe more small holes in it and see if that helps. Moms teat has two or three small holes that the pups nurse from.
Ellierat should be on any time. I think at this point she can help you better than I can, but I hope I was some help.
Keep us posted, and how is Ginger feeling?
Shannon
Posts: 51 | From: South Bend, IN | Registered: May 2004
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AndreaMoon
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posted July 16, 2004 03:30 PM
I read about tube feeding but I also read about them using a needle. I may have got it mixed up though. The thing with the nipple is it's not that they can't get anything out, it's that they stopped trying to latch on. It's very odd. Using the syringe thing scares me because it comes out too fast at times. I checked the roof of their mouths and they look perfect. Time to feed again, I'm going to try poking some more holes.
Posts: 41 | From: IL | Registered: Jul 2004
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ellierat
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Member # 612
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posted July 16, 2004 03:41 PM
i'M HERE, I have just woken up and straight on to see how you are doing.
First of all Shannon is right the tube goes straight down through the throat and into their stomach, therefore there is no chance of milk getting on the lungs. I have done this proceedure, it is not easy you have to get the pups to swallow the tube, every time you can't leave it in 24/7. See if you can get some scales to check their weight. If any had gone on their lungs by now, they would become very listless, not suckle at all, and not settle to sleep, eventually dying.
The mucus, all puppies have mucus, poo, wee, but their mum cleans them, so you dont notice it.
If you are really concerned, get a towel, place it on your hand, place a pup on the towel on its back, supporting the head and neck area especially, now place your other hand over the top of the pup so that there is no way of dropping it, or it's neck moving, spread your legs, hold the pup at waist height in front of you, now swing it down in a arc to just between your legs, any mucus will now come out of its nose. I can hear other breeders now saying NO, NO, as many don't do this anymore, but in your case and the age of the pups all should be fine, I have done it many times, just don't do it quickly, just a normal hand moving speed. They say it can cause brain damage, but I have never had this happen. Just make sure you support the head well. Now you can wipe of any muck, it actually clears the lungs.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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ellierat
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Member # 612
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posted July 16, 2004 03:48 PM
Andrea I'm going to start a new post, it will be Ginger and Her Puppies, I will keep helping you on there.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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