help with post c-section care for my dog

[Karen]

I'd definitely talk to the vet about her needing to pee so very much. And how much nutrient gel is she getting? As she's both been malnourished - AND is nursing, i think all the food you can get into her - even puppy food, which is higher in calorie content - would be a good thing. I'm not a vet, mind you, but you could ask about that when you call about the peeing - that sounds far to frequent.

[pitc9]

Bless you for helping Jeff!
As Karen said, puppy food for Jeff would be best, a high quality food too.

[wolfsoul]

Welcome to PT sweaty!

I would definatly talk to the vet. It sounds as if she has a bladder infection, not uncommon after being spayed or having pups, but potentially dangerous -- best to get a urine sample to the vet right away.

What kind of food are you feeding Jeff? It is not unusual for her to be eating little -- since she is malnourished her body is not used to large amounts of food, and it would be unhealthy to give her too much. Instead of trying to make her eat more, give her less food with more calories. I would have her on a high quality puppy food, and let her eat small meals throughout the day. You're doing the right thing feeding her the supplement as well -- pups tend to rob the body of important nutrients, and since she is so malnourished this could be dangerous for her. So it's good that she is getting as many nutrients as possible. Is the supplement called Nutri-Cal? This is very good for putting weight on thin dogs.

I would also go to your local health food store and pick up some Nursing Mother's Tea, and feed it to Jeff. It will help boost milk production. I have some on hand myself, for my next litters, just incase.

Giving the pups shots are two weeks would be very detrimental to their health. Vaccines impair the immune system. I would actually wait until the pups are quite old before vaccinating them as their immune systems are already impaired enough -- between 14 and 16 weeks of age. Or, I would give nosodes (which is what I personally use). They stimulate the immune system rather than suppress it. I gave my first nosodes to my pup, Solo, and he has titered (blood test to check the immune system) very well with them.

Premature pups are subject to chilling easily, and they need to stay almost warmer than you'd think. Buy a heating lamp and keep it at one end of the whelping area -- the whelping area must be large enough tht they can move away from the lamp if they are too warm. If they are not weak and are sucking okay, than that is a very good thing -- many of them are too weak to even hold themselves up to a nipple. If it is warm where you are and Jeff is allowing her pups to cuddle with her and stay warm, it should be sufficient, but I would get a heating lamp just incase.

Good luck, and how wonderful of you to take Jeff in. I hope you have pictures to share?

[RedyreRotties]

Puppies born 2 weeks premature die instantly.

You should be tube feeding these puppies every 2-3 hours, and otherwise letting them nurse the dam if possible. Even under weight bitches can provide good milk for puppies if they have the right nutritional support. Your vet can show you how to tube feed, and get you the right supplies to do so.

You can use commercially made forumula, or you can make your own.

1 can Meyenburg goat milk
equal amount of unflavored Pedialyte
1/2 cup plain yoghurt, whole milk if you can find it, low fat will do in a pinch
1-2 tablespoons white karo syrup
several drops of liquid baby vitamins

Warm the milk to 100 degrees. Use a digital thermometer to check the temp.

Crying is not good. Healthy puppies are quiet unless they are hungry or need to be pottied.

[sweaty]

We built Jeff a nice home. Jeff had been laying with them to keep them warm, and she managed to kill two of them. It's been a very sad day.
Her peeing has been better. So we are happy about that, but she hasn't pooed at all since her surgery. She has been eating some wet food as well as the nutrient gels. She isn't able to nurse. The puppies try, but their isn't any milk.
Thank you everyone for your help! We really appreciate it.

[RedyreRotties]

Oh MY, you can't leave a bitch unattended with newborn puppies!!!!!

I am so sorry you have lost 2 of them. Very very sorry.