Little Help - New Momma - Page 1

We have a new litter right at 24 hrs old...  she is being a VERY good momma...  But I am concerned... Probably shouldn't be but I was looking for  a little feedback. 

Since the litter is here - she is so concerned with taking care of them I am having trouble getting her to eat... I am bringing water to her regularly to make sure she is drinking enough.  She is just so focused on the babies I can't get her to eat or take care of herself.  Getting her to go outside takes coaxing as well... 

I love the fact she is such a good momma - but I am starting to be concerned about her!!  What might the "red flags" be when I should really be concerned here? 

Storm,

Give her time and a little space,  leave food and water where she can find it and she will probably let you know when she want's out.   It might be a day or two.    As long as she is nursing and cleaning the puppies thats her first priority.

Constant hovering might even make her nervous.

She will probably want to drink first and then a trip outside.

Brent.

I wouldn't worry too much, pups are just 24 hours old.  even wolves in the wild will go 24-72 hours after birthing before they will eat.  boil her some chicken and rice,  or scamble a few eggs.  that should do the trick.  as long as she is attentive and doesn't have a fever I wouldn't worry too much.  congrats. 

Jennifer

always take their temp?? an elevated temp is a sign of trouble..did you use oxytocin or have her x-rayed to make sure she had them all??  I had one one once that would only eat Iams bisciuts for a couple days after she whelped.refused everything else .most of mine are pretty hungry though I usually start them out on cans of ID after they whelp .even nutrical is good I like to see them eating ASAP I try different things to get them to eat jack mackeral or dried chicken strips are good

As per above, is she's taking care of the pups, and being a good involved momma there's nothing to worry about. One of my females went for about 36-hours after her first litter before she decided to leave her pups. That includes going outside! For nearly a day and a half she did not leave her whelping box, not even by a paw. I made sure she had food and water within easy reach.

sometimes in the first few days if you offer the food in the box with her.. I just put it right between her front legs.. so she doesn't have to get up.. and they usually eat fine..   but leave those pups!  NO WAY!   congrats on having a good mom!!   sometimes you don't appreciate it till you have a BAD mom!

jody

If she ate all the placentas she will have had a nutrient filled meal also. It can cause some diarhea as well. So I would take her outside for a few minutes to relieve herself a couple times a day at least, just coaxing and reasure her its OK. You may need a collar and leash. After a few days to a week she will "chill" and be more apt to readily leave her pups for a bit. By the time they are a few weeks old she will be well seasoned and ready for more time away from their never ending demands on her. As others said, keep some food and water at hand, especially water, she needs to drink to make milk. Good luck, let us know how it goes. She sounds like a good mom! O make sure by 10 days of age you start trimming the pups nails and do so at least every week there after (in case you didn't know).

Thanx for the info!  Yes - I'm bringing water to her regularly and food as well.  She is eating some but her focus is on the pups so much she is only "nibbling".  I'm giving her puppy chow mixed with yogurt/ tripe/ eggs/ adding in ground chicken too.  I just worry about her.  This litter is for both of us a first - I am so glad she is being such a good momma to them! 

Storm,

I cant help fixing on the word's puppy chow,   Make sure you are feeding a dogfood made for large breed puppies, its important.  Don't get caught up in the hype that some dogfood manufacturer's claim, feed her the same food you intend to feed to the puppy's. When she starts eating regular feed it wet.  Adding to it is great but keep it simple and consistant.

Another thing is a new mom will be more comfortable if she has peace and quiet, keep the excitment to a minimum for the first week or so.  

New puppies are such a joy, congratulation's.

Brent.

you should be feeding a performance food that is at least 30/20 ..large breed puppy food is not good for lactating bitches I take mine out on a leash to outside I cannot imagine letting one hold for any length of time under those circumstances they are much more comfortable if they are made to go out ..and I start the ENS on day three and I watch them like a hawk not leave them alone