Just thought I would share a feeding breakthrough I had today.
I have two puppies struggling to feed from mum. A couple of reasons bigger siblings pushing them off and not got a great sucking reflex.
So anyway one pup was dehydrated and was too weak to feed. I dissolved manuka honey in warm water and fed to pup every 15 mins for a couple of hours until pup was stronger.
I've tried many ideas to feed these kind of pups nothing is really successful. However I did see a video on FB aired by Gramma JB where pups were fed using a small makeup sponge soaked in puppy milk.
Anyway I'm up for anything that will get milk into a struggling puppy. So I gave it a go.
Eureka puppy sucked the milk out of the sponge in her own time at her own pace. No sucking in too much and choking. It was a joy to see and feel a pup filling up. So tried it on the other small pup too. That worked too. Truly thankful to gramma JB and also FB ( well if it wasn't for FB I'd never have seen it).
Tina Watkins Yes seen this video ages ago Deb and decided there and then to go an purchase some sponges (just in case) for when I eventually get a litter - great news!!
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Deborah Jane Newman It was truly amazing and pups sucked at their own pace.
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Jeffie Casey Debbie...its a great solution. Carla introduced that to me couple years ago...I even sent her a big bag of sponges. So glad it's working well for those babies!
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Deborah Jane Newman Need to go and get more sponges. Such an easy solution for pups struggling with feeding.
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Wendy Boce Agree Debbie. I've also found manuka honey & distilled water great for hydrating poorly doers. Pleased you are having success with the sponge technique - not tried it myself but like you, up for anything if it works and makes raising pups a little easier.
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Jeffie Casey Make sure they're Lanolin-Free!!
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Deborah Jane Newman It's brilliant Wendy. The honey and water works to especially pups that are dehydrated and hyperglycaemic and too weak to feed unaided.