[Karen Klotthor]

I have a litter of 3 wks. we started them on real watery food and are adding milk supplement to it. The mother really does not want to feed them. We are having to make her get in the box. I know it is because it is hurting her. I have been using Bag Balm and it helps but not enough. My question is if they are eating ok can I stop the mother feeding them and just give them the watered down food until they have big enough teeth to eat solid food. This is not my first time breeding but it has been 7 yrs and this is my girls first time and last. Our past females did not act like her. Of course her mother only had 4 pups live so it was not bad. She has 8 healthy ones.
Thanks for any help

 

[Rainmaker]

Yes, you can wean now. Just keep a good eye on their condition and stools so you know you're feeding the right amounts. Forcing mom to be in with them if she doesn't want to can get ugly.

 

[mwk56]

You need to make sure they are getting proper nutrition. Take the kibble and pulverize it in a blender then add warm water and let them lap it up. At 4+ weeks they should be able to eat the kibble whole, just softened in some warm water.

Big issue is making sure they are fully hydrated and they are getting the nutrition they need. Gruel, baby cereal, etc. will not give them what they need.

Meredith

 

[Karen Klotthor]

Thanks . We have been weighing them every day and all are gaining weight. We are putting food in a blender first than adding water to make it soft. Before putting in the box we had warm milk replacer also. They are sleeping good and not crying unless mom gets in the box and stiers them up.

 

[Karen Klotthor]

One other question, if mom stops feeding will she dry up ok or do we need to do something with her. One of the reasons we make her get in the box to nurse is she gets so full and needs release.
Also, what kind of wormer do you recommend. The last time we did this we used Nemax2 but that does not treat hookworms. Thanks for you help

 

[Rainmaker]

If you are stopping nursing abruptly, then no food for a day, and restrict her diet until she is on the way to drying up. You don't want to deal with mastitis.

Everyone has their own worming program. I use pyrantel a couple times starting at around 2.5- 3 weeks, repeat in 10-14 days, and also one course of fenbendazole (Panacur or Safeguard are tradenames) as their last worming before they go home. Mom gets wormed a couple times too.

 

[Karen Klotthor]

Thanks Kim, we are going to start cutting back her feeding today. We have been feeding 3 times a day with her nursing . My husband did not feed her the noon meal and will cut back morning and evening. I will try to get her to nurse some tonight just for her relief. My biggest worry was her producing too much milk with no relief.