Hi, I`m new here but have been a big fan of Leerburg for several years and have used the formula mix with goats milk & whole yogert for my pups ( I breed boxers) for awhile now with great success.
My question is about my female boxer who always seems to have milk (I breed her once a year) but the pups begin losing weight and within about three days I HAVE to intervene and begin supplementing 3-4 times a day. The pups don`t act like they aren`t getting enough but they will not gain weight unless I supplement. Can anyone tell me why this happens ??? And is there anything I can do to help the mother have more (or better) milk ? I HAVE started her on Fenugreek three times a day which helps but not enough. I feed her a high grade kibble and give her vitamins ... Thanks for any advise !
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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There are a few things possibly happening. One is not getting enough fluids, sometimes girls within the first few days after whelping forget to take care of themselves. If your dog is one that likes to clean her dish simply add water, as much water as you can.
The second is that you're creating caloric intake issues. I like 4 medium meals a day for bitches with pups. Sometimes it's hard to get their mind on eating but getting her in the habit of cleaning a dish BEFORE litters arrive is a good start.
Finally, there is a problem with the bitch. Some have hormone issues, others have issues with the plumbing. Personally it'd have to be a pretty outstanding bitch for me to breed yearly if she was 100% capable for every litter let alone one that I have to bottle litters for.
What vitamins?
Try calcium or maybe some ice cream now and then, i'm no expert but some of the breeders at our club feed a calcium rich diet just before and after whelping.
hope this helps.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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Usually the reason for the calcium increase before and after whelping is to prevent eclampsia. Small dogs with fine bones and dogs with poor diet are most prone to it so it's encouraged among toy breeders to supply half a tum per meal, personally I use egg shell powder mixed with ground chicken rmb or mince.
I've heard the vanilla ice cream thing before. I'd prefer to use something like the puppy formula over something loaded with sugar, artificial flavors, and cow milk. BTW if you have access to raw goat milk a great way to keep it on hand for litters is to freeze it in a dark, storage freezer. In our case we use the bottom of a chest freezer for this kind of stuff. It doesn't tend to have the defrost issues of cow's milk.
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New pups and not gaining weight
#271992 - 04/07/2010 01:47 AM 
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