Help with fading puppy

[abbierhea]

I have a litter of ckcs's and one that was very low birth weight to begin with - only a little over 2 oz's. Well here they are at 4 wks of age and she's just now 7 oz's while her siblings are all around 1 1/2 lbs and up. I'm positive she has 'fading puppy' syndrome. She's always been a little behind her siblings, but always had alot of energy up until today. She's off by herself and I've been supplementing, but she won't suck on the bottle - I did get her to lick the formula out of a teaspoon and she took about 3 tsp, and gave her a small amt of nutrical too. I put her on the warming pad after I fed her and momma cleaned her up. Any more ideas? Our vet said to just do what I've been doing and to bring her in tomorrow. Thanks for any advice in advance!

[Heart_Song]

Someone just posted a homemade formula recipe that might work better than a store bought one if that's what you are using.

Originally Posted by dustynduke

10 oz. of canned evaporated milk or goat's milk (not pasteurized cow's milk - this will cause scowers - dogs cannot drink normal cow's milk) Goats milk is by far the best to use. Wall Mart sells it.

3 oz. sterilized water (baby water or boiled water) this is not needed if using goat's milk

1 raw egg yolk

1 cup of whole yogurt (avoid skim or fat free if at all possible)

1/2 Tbsp Karo Syrup or Corn Syrup (NOT HONEY !!!)

1 dropper full of infant vitamins

I agree with your vet too. It sounds like what you are doing is great. I would feed her as often as she will take food. Good luck.

[southern_girl09]

I would get a syringe and force feed her. All you can do is that and keep her warm.

[abbierhea]

Thank you for the information! I will definately try the milk recipe!

[agilitydog]

I agree that you may need to force feed her. Whether she wants to eat or not, she needs to.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I had a tiny Pom and that had fading puppy syndrome. His sugar was crashing every day or so and I would run him to the emergency vet for an iv drip.

Finally, my regular vet shared with me the term fading puppy syndrome and I said NOT ON MY WATCH!!! I got up and fed something very similiar to the recipe above, except our vet had cans of a gruel like, very easy to digest, puppy food to which I added some Karo syrup.

I got up every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and force fed our baby. I used an eye dropper and fed him in the side of his mouth little bits at a time. Often, he'd spit it right back at me. He would have this gruel all over himself and me!

I did this for 3 months (it was long and hard) and one day, he just started eating on his own and growing and was a great little dog. I was extremely bonded to him for all we'd gone through. When I was at work I'd come home 1-2 times in the day as would my husband. If not, someone else needs to do the feedings or he needs to be at a vet during the day. A tiny puppy can crash, start seizing from sugar glycemia and quickly die.

Stick with it! I'm living proof you can turn this around! Be consistent and patient!

Please keep me updated or pm me if you need moral support!

[carrie79]

I agree with the force feeding and feed it more often... mama's know what is best so force feeding would be my option. Good luck and keep us up dated.

[carlar]

I agree with the force feeding. It is fairly common for me to have to force feed some of my Yorkie pups. They can be picky eaters and stop eating when stressed. I just start force feeding and another thing I give them is a fluid called Rebound. It is like an oral IV fluid. It will sustain life without giving them loose stools. Plus they like it and usually will just lap it up. If they don't I give it to them with a syringe.

[abbierhea]

Thank you for all your support! This morning she is eating pretty good from the dropper and noticed her energy level has improved - any idea how long this could take or if it is a rollercoaster as far as recovery goes-good one day and bad the next? Thanks!

[jazzysmom]

I am so happy to hear that little sweetie is doing some better, keep up the good work. Let us know the progress.