Tube Feeding

[malakai]

Hi,

I need some help. I have a litter of puppies that are 12 days old. They range from 1.136kg to 1.332kg. Problem is mum isn't producing enough milk for them. I have tried bottle feeding but they refuse to take it. so now I'm tube feeding. They also nurse of mum a little. My normal vet says feed them 40ml five times a day. Another vet I go to says feed them 60mls at a feeding and they need 300 - 400mls a day.

Who do I listen too? The puppies seem to cry alot. but have been checked 3 times since birth. After I tube feed them they usually nurse on mum for a little while but they get frustrated and start crying.

So my question is am I overfeeding them or underfeeding them?????

Thanks.

[jemappelle]

I am not sure about the quantities for tube feeding puppies - sorry. Are there instructions on the formula you are using?

However if you put this in the Breeder's Forum I am sure you will get heaps of replies.

Are the puppies gaining weight steadily?

[malakai]

Yeah they seem to be gaining weight. I'm not sure about the quantity because they always seem to be crying. on the tin it says 300ml a day for a 1kg puppy. My usual vet said feed them 5 times a day 40mls each time so thats only 200ml. so I'm just not sure.

[Allerzeit]

Hmm, if they're gaining weight that's a good sign.

Are you toileting them after each meal, or is mum still happy to do that?

What breed of dog are they?

[jemappelle]

Yeah they seem to be gaining weight. I'm not sure about the quantity because they always seem to be crying. on the tin it says 300ml a day for a 1kg puppy. My usual vet said feed them 5 times a day 40mls each time so thats only 200ml. so I'm just not sure.

I would use what the manufacturer recommends as the products do seem to differ. They may be crying if they are hungry or have wind - with the kittens I always rub their backs and tummies gently and sometimes get a little burp.

[malakai]

thanks guys. I posted this in the breeder section too and have lots of responses. They are huskies. and i usually let mum toilet them after i feed them. if she doesn't then i do. I didn't think of wind. i will try rubbing their backs and see if that quiets them. thanks for all the responses.