orphan pups 4 days old - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tinkertoyyorkie · 03-23-2005, 10:04 AM

Got a call last night. Our vet gave a woman my name about helping her feed her orphaned yorkie babies. The mother dog died as a result of a retained pup which was caught too late. I have a nursing mom that has 2 pups that are 4 weeks old. My female took to the pups but I am afraid to leave them with her due to the size of the four weekers. I am also concerned that she may not be able to produce enough milk for 2 large and 3 tiny pups. I let them nurse several time last night but today I am supplementing with formula. Should I start weaning the older pups or alternate nursing and formula for the little pups? I also told her if I took on this responsibility of nursemaiding these pups that I would like to have one of the pups if they live and she agreed. Any suggestions?

gymbo68 · 03-23-2005, 11:28 AM

Sorry I cannot offer any help as I have never breed dogs, but special hugs to you for taking this on.....good luck and I hope all goes well.

russell04 · 03-23-2005, 11:46 AM

Im defintely no breeder either, but I dont think that you should start weaning your older puppies at 4 weeks, that seems a little young I think, I may be wrong, hopefully there is someone else that can help you better, I say if the little babies are nursing and taking the formula I would continue to do that if it seems to be working!

Best of luck

iheartyorkies · 03-23-2005, 02:34 PM

I'm not a breeder either so my opinion is probably not worth much...I believe that the momma's milk supply will increase if she's nursing more puppies, sort of a supply and demand thing. I'd would supplement at first though to give her time to build up more milk. And I'm sure you are feeding the mother a special diet for nursing moms. Good luck and good for you for taking on the extra responsibility!!

ttreatsyorkies · 03-23-2005, 03:37 PM

My mother in-law weans all of her pups at 4 weeks. It does seem harsh but they are all healthy and do well as adults. IF anything you can give the older ones puppy food that has been softened during the day about every 3 hours and let them nurse once in a while. The only thing with weaning that early is that you do have to feed them every 3-4 hrs all hours of the day. That way they don't get low blood sugar. Good luck.

feminvstr · 03-23-2005, 03:58 PM

Start weaning the older pups, introduce the food to them wet with a bit of goats milk warmed, soon they will eat more from the bowl than mom.

Suppliment the mom with milk right away...give her small amounts of goats milk (no cows milk) or cottage cheese along with her puppy food 3- 4 times daily or she might get eclampsia with the extra load. In a real pinch you can give her 1/2 tablet of tums daily but the other is better for her.

I prefer using goats milk over the puppy formula if you plan on feeding the puppies via bottle, you can find it at most health food stores.

good luck to you, she is a great mom accepting them as her own, you should be proud.

hope this helps

03-23-2005, 10:04 AM	#1
tinkertoyyorkie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 22	orphan pups 4 days old Got a call last night. Our vet gave a woman my name about helping her feed her orphaned yorkie babies. The mother dog died as a result of a retained pup which was caught too late. I have a nursing mom that has 2 pups that are 4 weeks old. My female took to the pups but I am afraid to leave them with her due to the size of the four weekers. I am also concerned that she may not be able to produce enough milk for 2 large and 3 tiny pups. I let them nurse several time last night but today I am supplementing with formula. Should I start weaning the older pups or alternate nursing and formula for the little pups? I also told her if I took on this responsibility of nursemaiding these pups that I would like to have one of the pups if they live and she agreed. Any suggestions?

03-23-2005, 11:46 AM	#3
russell04 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Suburbs, Chicago Posts: 54	Im defintely no breeder either, but I dont think that you should start weaning your older puppies at 4 weeks, that seems a little young I think, I may be wrong, hopefully there is someone else that can help you better, I say if the little babies are nursing and taking the formula I would continue to do that if it seems to be working! Best of luck __________________ Cara

03-23-2005, 02:34 PM	#4
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,719	I'm not a breeder either so my opinion is probably not worth much...I believe that the momma's milk supply will increase if she's nursing more puppies, sort of a supply and demand thing. I'd would supplement at first though to give her time to build up more milk. And I'm sure you are feeding the mother a special diet for nursing moms. Good luck and good for you for taking on the extra responsibility!! __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri!

03-23-2005, 03:37 PM	#5
ttreatsyorkies YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Frisco TX Posts: 430	Weaning My mother in-law weans all of her pups at 4 weeks. It does seem harsh but they are all healthy and do well as adults. IF anything you can give the older ones puppy food that has been softened during the day about every 3 hours and let them nurse once in a while. The only thing with weaning that early is that you do have to feed them every 3-4 hrs all hours of the day. That way they don't get low blood sugar. Good luck.

03-23-2005, 03:58 PM	#6
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	Start weaning the older pups, introduce the food to them wet with a bit of goats milk warmed, soon they will eat more from the bowl than mom. Suppliment the mom with milk right away...give her small amounts of goats milk (no cows milk) or cottage cheese along with her puppy food 3- 4 times daily or she might get eclampsia with the extra load. In a real pinch you can give her 1/2 tablet of tums daily but the other is better for her. I prefer using goats milk over the puppy formula if you plan on feeding the puppies via bottle, you can find it at most health food stores. good luck to you, she is a great mom accepting them as her own, you should be proud. hope this helps __________________ Kimberly

03-23-2005, 11:28 AM	#2
gymbo68 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,022	Sorry I cannot offer any help as I have never breed dogs, but special hugs to you for taking this on.....good luck and I hope all goes well.