Last week we described how one could ensure that food gets into the stomach of the newborn pup. Well, even if you are successful, there are a few mistakes that can be made and against which we must guard.
Firstly, we have a tendency to overfeed the hungry, whimpering puppy. I suppose that is a normal trait in caring humans. However, if we follow a simple ‘rule of thumb’ guideline, we would be confronted with less worrisome situations. I would suggest that you give 1 millilitre (ml) of formula (see TPC 27/10/2013) per 1 ounce of puppy weight, per feed. So, an 8-ounce puppy would receive 8 mls of formula with each feed – and we must feed four times daily. As the pup gets older and stronger and heavier, we might have to increase the numbers in the guideline. For example, if the 8-ounce pup has doubled its weight (16 ozs) by the 10th day, instead of giving it 16 mls of feed each time, you could increase that to 20 mls. By that time, you might even decrease feeding schedules to 3 times daily instead of 4.
How does one know if one is overfeeding?
I would suggest that you make a keen observation of the stool colour and consistency. A very soft, yellowish stool would reflect a mild degree of overfeeding. At that point, just reduce the amount of formula feed that you are giving. By and large, if you feed the newborn pup 4 times a day, it will excrete 4 stools.
If you are moderately overfeeding, the stool will become more fluid and would have a greenish tinge (the green colour is caused by unabsorbed bile, unabsorbed because the food is moving too quickly through the intestine). You can solve this problem by again reducing the amount of formula, and by administering orally one ml of Milk of Magnesia every 4 hours.
If you are massively overfeeding, the stool, at first, will emerge like curdled milk, and then a full-fledged grey-coloured diarrhoea will develop. The puppy will not gain weight, because the food is not being absorbed, and it will be losing all of the important proteins, minerals, etc, contained in the food.
You can begin by diluting the formula by half (ie half formula, half water). Introduce Milk of Magnesia – about 2 mls every 4 hours. In order to effect the rehydration, you could use Pedialyte or some reconstituted Oral Rehydration Salts, all of which are easily attainable in local drug stores. Even coconut water could be used. The dosage would be about ½ cc per ounce body weight, every hour, by bottle or by using the stomach tube (as described in TPC 03/11/2013). While you are trying to implement the ‘home’ remedies as documented above, please get in touch with your vet. The vet might wish, according to his/her assessment of the status of the animal’s physiological functions to introduce a Glucose-Saline/Ringer Lactate drip.
Finally, I must add that any diarrhoea must be considered as serious. There might also be an infection to worsen matters. This infection would have to be treated specifically. This is not something that you can achieve by just giving the puppy a “black and red” capsule. Technical advice must be sought – not from your neighbour or from some sympathising well-wisher, but from your veterinarian.
Enough for today.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-Heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
