May 18, 2011

I have a 5 day old litter, should I be concerned over the weight gain on our small female?

Full Question:
We ordered and received your puppy video, none to soon I might add. It has been very helpful. This is our first litter. We had 7 (4F/3M) healthy GSD puppies on Tuesday the 16th of Feb. The heaviest two, a male and a female each weighed 570g. The male now is 785g and the female is 855g. A 285g gain in 5 days. I'm thinking, oink oink. The runts, one male & one female weighed 510g and 480g respectively. Now after five days the male weighs in at 740g and the female at 700g.

My question is this, actually my wife's. She is concerned that the little ones are not gaining enough fast enough. The least gain that either of them has made in one day is 20g. The male has gained as much as 85g in one day, and the female as much as 75g in one day. Is there cause for my wife's concern? She thinks that the little female is asleep half the time while the other's are nursing. Yet in 5 days she has gained 210g or 7.35oz. To me that seems just dandy. Actually the next heaviest male, at 565g at birth has gained only 200g or 7oz. total. So your opinion will be most appreciated and your advice taken.

Thank you,
Dale
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
If you wife is concerned she can stick the small pup on a tit every time she goes into the room, 10 times a day is not too much. This will improve weight gain.

DO NOT TUBE the pup, big mistake if you do.

I am sure it will be fine if left alone, but putting it on the mother more often will help.

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