Any advice

[The 4 M]

Hi hope someone can help. Molly has had her pups 6 weeks ago the pups stopped feeding a couple of days ago they were only feeding once a day for a week or so before that now the problem or me just over worrying for no reason as I do a lot when it come to Molly but she seems to be full of milk and I mean full is this normal ? should she see a vet? she is feeding fine cutting it down now to twice a day and is herself in all other ways. Thanks in advance

[bjh]

I don't understand exactly what you are asking. Are the puppies eating solid food on their own now? I start the weaning process when the pups are around 4 weeks old. I put down some ground up dry food for the pups. As the pups start eating more of the dry food they will nurse less and the mom will start weaning them by not letting them nurse as often. All females are different. I have had some moms that would not nurse the pups much past 6 weeks but most of my moms will let the pups nurse some until the pups are 8 to 10 weeks old. The tinier pups need to be able to nurse longer and they take longer to wean.

Have you been cutting the toenails on the pups? If the pups have sharp toenails the mom will be reluctant to let them nurse.

If the pups are eating well on their own then it is not a problem if mom is not letting them nurse as much, as long as the pups are eating dog food and seem content. Make sure the mom does not get mastitis from having an excessive amount of milk.

[The 4 M]

That's what I was worried about will take her to the vet in the morning as that mastitis sounds nasty. Pups are all good eating wet food really well and having goats milk toenails been cut but they have sharp little teeth that I'm thinking why she's not too keen on feeding them. Was mainly wondering how long it takes for her milk to dry up? And do they still look like they full of milk until she drys up? Have read all different time scales from 10 days to 3 weeks

[carmen in nj]

some moms need help with drying milk to prevent mastitis, I add a teaspoon of dry or fresh parsley to her dinner every night starting at 5 weeks to help her stop milk production, I also put an onesie on her once the puppies are wean at 6 weeks.
mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics and no more lactacting for the babies ..
hugs,

[The 4 M]

Oh will try the parsley what a good tip thanks. Read somewhere about cabbage leafs and bandages lol can't imagine Molly would like that idea bless her
Thanks again much appreciated

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by The 4 M

Oh will try the parsley what a good tip thanks. Read somewhere about cabbage leafs and bandages lol can't imagine Molly would like that idea bless her Thanks again much appreciated

That is how I dryed mine out with both of my kids. Binding didn't hellp a bit, so I tried it and I was dried up the very next morning.

Originally Posted by carmen in nj

some moms need help with drying milk to prevent mastitis, I add a teaspoon of dry or fresh parsley to her dinner every night starting at 5 weeks to help her stop milk production, I also put an onesie on her once the puppies are wean at 6 weeks. mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics and no more lactacting for the babies ..
hugs,

That is a great tip Carmen, I may have to try that.

Clare; Seeing them engorged with milk is hard to see but it is part of the weening process. Once your mamma start the weening process you should not let the babies suckle even for a moment. She need the chance for her milk to dry up and every time the babies suckle that starts milk production again. Being engorges is very painful for humans and I doubt that it is any different for them.

What are the babies eating ?
Are they eating soft or kibble ?

Plus you may want to start diluting the goats milk with water 80/20, 60/40, 50/50 and so on until you get them drinking 100% water.

[The 4 M]

Originally Posted by dawn27

That is how I dryed mine out with both of my kids. Binding didn't hellp a bit, so I tried it and I was dried up the very next morning.



That is a great tip Carmen, I may have to try that.

Clare; Seeing them engorged with milk is hard to see but it is part of the weening process. Once your mamma start the weening process you should not let the babies suckle even for a moment. She need the chance for her milk to dry up and every time the babies suckle that starts milk production again. Being engorges is very painful for humans and I doubt that it is any different for them.

What are the babies eating ?
Are they eating soft or kibble ?

Plus you may want to start diluting the goats milk with water 80/20, 60/40, 50/50 and so on until you get them drinking 100% water.

Thanks it does look awful for her but like i said shes herself playing and feeding fine. She hasn't fed the pups at all the past 2 days as knew about the milk production and when she started to feed but started pulling away soon after (teeth I think) thought this must be the right time for her to stop feeding them. The pups are eating soft food and I have the goats milk at 50/50 now. Will see what the vet says in the morning it's possibly just me been over the top lol
Thanks

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by The 4 M

Thanks it does look awful for her but like i said shes herself playing and feeding fine. She hasn't fed the pups at all the past 2 days as knew about the milk production and when she started to feed but started pulling away soon after (teeth I think) thought this must be the right time for her to stop feeding them. The pups are eating soft food and I have the goats milk at 50/50 now. Will see what the vet says in the morning it's possibly just me been over the top lol
Thanks

Its never a good thing not to worry. Keep us posted and I do hope that she finds some relief soon.

[The 4 M]

Thanks me too. Will update all tomorrow

[The 4 M]

Hi just to let you all know Molly seen the vet yesterday, just need to give her time for the milk to dry up, the vet said up to 2 weeks after the last time she fed puppies. Much happier now and think they have gone down since yesterday

[The 4 M]

Originally Posted by carmen in nj

some moms need help with drying milk to prevent mastitis, I add a teaspoon of dry or fresh parsley to her dinner every night starting at 5 weeks to help her stop milk production, I also put an onesie on her once the puppies are wean at 6 weeks.
mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics and no more lactacting for the babies ..
hugs,

Hi thanks for the tip have started with the parsley. Mentioned to my other half about the parsley and was met with a question from him "do you think she would prefer flat leaf or curly" lol

[dawn27]

Thats good . . at least its progress !

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by The 4 M

That's what I was worried about will take her to the vet in the morning as that mastitis sounds nasty. Pups are all good eating wet food really well and having goats milk toenails been cut but they have sharp little teeth that I'm thinking why she's not too keen on feeding them. Was mainly wondering how long it takes for her milk to dry up? And do they still look like they full of milk until she drys up? Have read all different time scales from 10 days to 3 weeks

I can tell you from personal experience that mastitis is extremely painful. Please take your mommy to the vet asap!!

[The 4 M]

Hi just a final update, Molly is now all dried up, Im so happy and so is she its lovely she can now play with all the pups and they don't even try to feed. Thank you for all the advice it was much appreciated. All the puppies are doing great and only feeding on wet food once a day they prefer the dry complete mix that is great as its better for there teeth. Oh and they are clever little babies they understand sit and down already at less then 8 weeks old me thinks training and trick time will be a breeze

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by The 4 M

Hi just a final update, Molly is now all dried up, Im so happy and so is she its lovely she can now play with all the pups and they don't even try to feed. Thank you for all the advice it was much appreciated. All the puppies are doing great and only feeding on wet food once a day they prefer the dry complete mix that is great as its better for there teeth. Oh and they are clever little babies they understand sit and down already at less then 8 weeks old me thinks training and trick time will be a breeze

Thats good news.... thanks for the update. Keep us posted and please do share lot and lots of photos.