Hello,
Well we have had a lovely afternoon, 9 Labrador puppies born all nice and healthy, plus one still born which was not fully developed.
This is my first litter going it alone and typical my aunt who has bred for years is not answering her mobile!! She was on the end of the phone for the first one which went like a dream. Pip has taken to it like a duck to water, feeding and cleaning them and we are feeling elated.
However, the runt who is at least a half the size of the largest is not feeding, she was the 5th out and just is not interested in the nipple, I have squeezed a little milk onto its lips but it is just not interested. I have some whelpi in and a feeding bottle, but at what point would you use it she is 2 and half hours old now and I have not seen her feed at all.
Any advice would be appreciated.

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Down on the farm I have my human babies, my dog babies, my cow's babies. Somewhere I might try and find time for me!!!!!

I would be feeding her now. every 2 to 3 hours for the first couple of days.
Hopefully get her strenght up, and gaining weight. If she is small, and not interested it could a number of things, feeding her may well give her the energy she needs to latch on, even becoming interested.


If she isnt interested in the teat, then bottle feeding might not be an option. In my opinion tube feeding is the best way to get food in. But then for someone new it can be difficult an dangerous, the tube needs to be inserted correctly, and you run the risk of over feeding.

Will you be having the new mum and her puppies vet checked? Alot of breeders do this within the first few days that way the vet can help see potential problems, and give advice. - Like with feeding this pup.

Glad most of it went smoothly for you, sorry about the lost one. I'd be trying to get the pup to feed now - either with the feeding bottle or on a prime nipple - I've found if you start with the bottle you can progress to the nipple - she may be tired and the nipple just that bit too big until she gets the idea.. perhaps if one of the bigger ones starts the milk flow then put her on. Then if you keep putting her on the nipple it'll give her a chance to catch up with the others. I had one up against ribs in a huge litter, half the size of the others, but he caught up with the smaller ones by 7 weeks. Being smaller and tired she'll struggle on her own against the bigger ones, so you need to step in.

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Penny
Funfastquick Agility Dogs

Thanks for the speedy, my aunt called and told me to express some from mum, I managed to get 1.5ml I then syringed it very very slowly into its mouth, she licked and I saw her swallow several times so I am happy now, I will try another 1ml in half hour then every two hours.
We are farmers so used to rearing young, but my dogs are whole lot different from calves and they are part of my family so this has been a lovely day!

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Down on the farm I have my human babies, my dog babies, my cow's babies. Somewhere I might try and find time for me!!!!!

Well what a little cracker the runt is turning out to be, she has gained 1.0oz (she started at 6.5oz) in 48hours and is a real little fighter, although the bigger ones do push it off the teet a lot I am trying to keep an eye on it! Especially as my Dad has fallen in love with it and wants to keep her for her forever home! Pressure! She is the only one been named 'Ruby'. He is a sucker for an underdog story!!!! Needless to say my mother can't resist her too, so since loosing their dog to old age 2 years ago they feel it is time for a little 'Ruby' sparkle!!!

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Down on the farm I have my human babies, my dog babies, my cow's babies. Somewhere I might try and find time for me!!!!!

Oh that's great news - some pics would be good too!

Here you go I took these last night, Pip is doing a great job she is so attentive and when she has had enough of me messing with them she simply covers them over with her nose!!

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Down on the farm I have my human babies, my dog babies, my cow's babies. Somewhere I might try and find time for me!!!!!

Awwwww. Ruby is doing well. I think Mum looks pleased with it all. I suppose you have done plenty of nurturing with your farm animals so this is just smaller scale. Colostrum and mother's milk are fine stuff!

Well done with assisting little Ruby, I hope she does really well! Pip looks beautiful with all her little puppies