[Sushie]

Hi All,

Our small mongrel just had 9 puppies. It was exciting at first, but now it's becoming a problem. Firstly, our dog couldn't resist her pups crying so she barely eats.I always make sure her bowl is full of dog food but just when she starts eating, her puppies cry. Also, isn't nine too much for a small dog to handle? I was thinking of assisting her or something, I know she knows best and I'm worried that she might not like it if I try to do some of her mothering stuff. I can see it every time I clean their box and start to move the puppies, she begins to get restless. She's not comfortable with us holding her puppies. I guess it's because she has just given birth last week.

She had 7 pups on her first, and it was more manageable. Her puppies now look really gross. They're so dirty and wet all the time. She tries to groom them all the time, which I think is the reason why they're too wet. But she couldn't clean them all completely I think because they are too many for her to handle. I don't want to underestimate her, but I think she might get sick if she doesn't eat right soon.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

-Sarah

[cigwyllt]

You should have been weighing the puppies from day one so that identify which puppies are feeding well and which if any are having issues. You need to be handling them, even if it makes her unhappy. Check with your pet shop for a good milk substitute - I'm in the UK so can't suggest any products.

[Sushie]

Sorry... it should be "Too many puppies," not "Two many." LOL

Okay thanks for that tip. I'll go and check they're weight.

[cigwyllt]

You're going to have to step in and help her no matter how she objects.

[reeskujo]

She really should of been spayed to prevent this from happening...She also needs to be eating puppy food with the nutritional supplements...You're going to have to supplement feedings for the ones who aren't getting enough and they need to be eating every 2 hr.s around the clock!

[Sushie]

Yes, I agree with that. We should have her spayed after this. Nothing went wrong on her first birth so we didn't know this would happen on the second one. Thanks for the advice. Also, I have one more problem. She wouldn't stop cleaning her puppies. She keeps on licking them, which makes them so wet all the time. I try to blowdry them but when they get dry, she cleans them again. I think she is really confused.