06/04/2023
As I have said, I hope that anything I say, do or imply is only taken as my interpretation of what I have experienced, I do not consider myself anything other than a “Hobby Breeder”, I have loved every minute of this journey. If I could help anyone avoid any problems I overcome then this is all I intended….
So until now (day 21) the puppies had been rotated between mum and bottles for feeding! My first attempts at feeding formula to the whole litter didn’t go well….
I decided that it would be useful to continue feeding them individually so I could ensure each was feeding correctly! Using washing up bowls so I could be sure they were sterile and some table sauce bowls.
Three key pointers learned, which could have created issues had I not done this method.
1/ To get the pups interested, I dipped my finger in the milk, got the pup to suck on it then made bed the finger to the bowl, they would then start to clumsily lap up the milk.
2/ These bowls were useful because I could top up the milk without disturbing them but the bowls were too deep, it meant that the pup could get their nostrils in too and accidentally snort up milk and inhale some 🫤
3/ After each feed it is critical that you wipe pups mouth and nostrils, they would often fall straight to sleep (as they were “milk drunk”) the milk substitute can dry crusty and has the potential to block airways.
I hope this helps