Hi all, I am new, but I joined this forum because I saw so much useful information on the site and in the forums.
I've been rescuing for many years now, started with my mom when I was a wee one, and recently acquired some newborns that mom decided not to feed.
What I know about their past: mom is 8 months old, possible heeler mix, dad is a black lab (and who knows if someone else got to her), mom stopped feeding at 1 1/2 weeks, the owners decided to give the puppies away because they didn't have time to bottle feed. One woman took 5, and I took the remaining 4.
For the first night they all had bright green bm's and it looked very seedy. I got them right before the weekend so couldn't take them to my vet right away. They were eating pretty well, 2 weren't eating much and 1 was eating double what everyone else ate. The lesser feeders would eat 1ish oz per feedng, every 3 hours, and the big boy was eating at least 2. Monday evening (3 days ago) I had one start crashing, wouldn't eat, crying almost constantly. By Tuesday morning the second was crashing too. Took them to the vet and she couldn't figure out what could be wrong and wanted to do every test in the book and then send them to an emergency clinic for oxygen care. We ended up opting out of the tests as I don't have that kind of money, the puppies are 2 weeks old, and they're rescues, not breeders. When I got home I gave both sub q fluids, but it seems I was too late and one passed, about an hour later the other passed.
I got online and found the homemade formula and started it right away for my 2 left. MY hardy big boy LOVES it, but my female started crashing that night. Yesterday I spent all day giving her fluids and nutrical trying to up her sugar enough to eat. She seemed constipated so I was giving her a little water and formula as she would allow (no suckle reflex at this point but would swallow if given slow enough). I finally decided to try an enema last night to see if she was constipated as she seemed very distressed, but as I was setting up she seized and passed.

Today I still have the big boy, after switching formula and deworming his poop is solid and much better looking. I got a call from the woman that has the 5 other puppies from this litter and so far hers are all still kicking (she says she picked out the healthiest looking of the litter) but hers don't seem to be pooping much at all.
I put 3 extra ounces of water in my formula to help with the digestion, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what else I can do.
I'm not sure if the 3 I had just failed to thrive, or if perhaps the formula was bad, or maybe there was some other infection...

If anyone has advice on what I can do to keep this last boy around, it's greatly appreciated. He is twice the size (and weight) of the ones I had pass, is a very steady eater, opened his eyes yesterday and broke his first teeth yesterday too, is pottying pretty regularly, and isn't showing any signs of distress like my others had.

If you need more info, please feel free to ask... I love furthering my knowledge.

I've got no advice to offer, but lots of respect for the hero's work you've taken on. Thank you for trying to help these little ones.

Welcome. I think you'll get some good advice from many breeders and trained vet pros here soon.

re the pups not pooping, are you (and the other rescue lady) stimulating the pups to poop? Warm washcloth rubbed gently over the genital area may help to stimulate bowel movements...

I know my pups would over stress if I tried to stimulate to poo, they were peeing with stimulation though. I was scared of overstimulating and causing an issue, but if you think it's ok then I can continue to try. My last boy pooed this morning and it was finally completely firm and almost dry, so I added more water to the formula.

Amanda, my limited experience with stimulating for peeing and bm's is with a litter of newborn kittens.
I wasn't sure from your first post if you were stimulating or not.

Have you taken the pup to your vet? Exactly how old is the pup now?

Maybe Melissa Thom or someone else who has specific young pup experience will read and post...

Pup has been to the vet, my vet is crap and wouldn't do one single test (like a fecal) without doing every test (full blood panel, parvo test, etc). Obviously I need a new vet.

He pottied this morning and it looked great.

Now the other woman that has the 5 is wanting me to take on some of the pups she has, possibly all, I'm not sure.

I can't decide if this is a TERRIBLE idea because my pup is seeming stable and there could be different exposures, or if it's best to have litter mates around each other to help teach each other manners....

bumping so breeders will see

If you have food going in and food coming out............ This is good.

I noticed you said an on line formula, is it the one that Ed has posted?

http://leerburg.com/bottlefeeding.htm

As far as reuniting your pup with some of the litter mates it is preferable for a pup to be raised with siblings, they learn of lot of doggie manners that way.

But after what you have gone thru if you want to be cautious about introducing any new germs I can understand that.

After some thought I decided it best to take 2 of the siblings... It may sound bad, but I'd much prefer the risk of illness than the risk of an ill mannered pup growing up.

Yes, I am using Ed's formula, I'm still only able to get ahold of evaporated goats milk, but hopefully my goat person will get back to me soon and I'll be able to get raw goats milk.

My only current concern is that the pups aren't going potty as frequent. I haven't been around bottle feeders since I was a kid, but I remember them going more than once or twice a day.
This batch of formula I added just a touch more of the karo syrup as I've been told it can help with lubrication, and I add an oz or two of extra water every other feeding (1 feeding is regular formula, next has a little extra water, next has the extra water etc.)

I would try and duplicate the normal routine as much as possible. Moms stimulate the pups a lot....

Wish I had better advice for you... I'm trying to get a hold of someone that I know has raised some orphaned pups.