Darn it, it won't lt me post my message, apparently, I'm too chatty. lol
I'm frustrated for you. I want to get my hands on her and help you. Best I can do at this point is offer moral support. You're doing a good job, I know it's heartwrenching to watch one not do well. I wish you the best.
I know you're probably busy with work or whatever, but the best thing if she's able is to pull the others aside in a seperate box and let her nurse as long as possible. The more of mama's milk she can get, the better off she will be. Every 2-3 hours would be ideal.
You mentioned being a breeder, is this your only lactating bitch at the moment? If you had another (or a friend maybe that does) with a smaller litter, maybe you could try her with them. I don't know where you are, but I have a lactating mom here, but for her size, it's a largish litter, too.
Do you know how to check her for dehydration? Pull up a scruff of skin and see how long it takes to go back to normal. If it snaps back, that's perfect, if it's slow or stays 'tented' you've got a problem. Your vet can show you how to give subQ fluids if needed or you can try diluting the formula with water to help hydrate her.
Hi!
Ok, try to find the nipples used for premature human babies, they're smaller and shaped more like mama's. I don't know how good the evaporated milk is, honestly, because cattle are now bred to produce guantity, not guality - that's why dairy calves are sold as bottle babies, they starve to death on mama's milk. Goat milk hasn't been ruined (yet). I don't know where you are, but I can find the concentrated goat's milk in the baking aisle at Walmart.
Thank you Lisa for your response. After seeing your recipe, I am going to add some more evaporated milk and an egg yolk to the formula I hav made up. Then tomorrow make a fresh batch with your measurements. The little one sucked off mom today a bit, but no weight gain. I have used a syringe most of today, but will try bottle again tonight. I was using a different nipple then the one in the picture. It came in th royal canim puppy formula mix. It worked great at first but now she doesn't seem to like it. I do have another bottle and nipple that looked like yours but the nipple is to big for her mouth still, but will probably be good when she gets bigger.
I still have a huge problem with the difference in size. The others are so eager to nurse and they just push her and my other smaller one to the side, so if I am not there to give them a nipple on mom, they don't have a chance. Do you think this will continue the whole time? Any suggestions?
Thank you again for your help
