6 day old puppies-one isn't putting on enough weight.

[TheTempest]

we have 6 6 day old Chihuha x Patterdale puppies. Mum is feeding and caring for them well, allowing us to be with her etc. One isn't putting on enough weight though, although seems to be feeding. It's gone from 214g yesterday to 206g today. Any ideas? Have been putting baby back on to the hind nipples and ensuring that it's feeding.

I know i'm risking a flaming as we have puppies but we were told she had been done and had a silent season. Our boy was done sharpish!

Any help would be lovely, we're worried about topping baby up in case she rejects him.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Puppies losing weight is never good. Have you checked for a cleft palate? I would get the puppy checked by a vet I am always concerned about fading puppy syndrome in these weight losing pups.
I am a vet and in conjunction with my dad have 40 years experience of breeding.

[TheTempest]

They have all seen the vet and no issues spotted. Will take them back tomorrow though if you think it'll be wise. I haven't seen/ read anything about fading puppy syndrome, what's that? I'm a real worrier :(

[Aquelven]

I was going to say put it onto one of the two back teats but you are already doing that. Is it paddling when it's on there to be sure that it's really suckling?
Try holding the others back for a minute or two to give it am chance to really get going, incase it's being pushed out a bit.
You can always supplement feed with a bit of Lactol. Hope he/she picks up soon. It isn't passing smelly, yellow stools is it?

[Aquelven]

Fading puppies, here you go

showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/fading.html

Have to say in 45+ years of breeding/showing I've only had two such cases so don't panic yet. Do make sure the puppy is warm. Have you a heat pad? Or a hot water bottle will do.

[TheTempest]

Yes they all have homes fortunately. I'm not sure whether i'll cope with them going though!

It's paddling and seems to be moving and not weak. Such a worry though, i made the fatal mistake of googling and now I'm driving DP mad with what if's!

Thanks Aqueleven, will give that a go. No no visible poo as she has been really cleaning, and stimulating them all really well :-) Will buy some Lactol tomorrow, what do I use to feed him with?

[TheTempest]

Its warm in there, have got a nest type thing with like a cave effect as that's what mum wants. They have a hot water bottle during the night but not day time. Should i do that during the day too?

[Aquelven]

Yes, I would till it starts to pick up.
As for feeding have you got a dropper? You know, the tube ones with a rubber bulb on the end? If not a chemist will let you have one if you tell them what it's for. Just drip feed the Lactol into the side of it's mouth, a little at a time do it doesn't choke. Once it gets the idea it should begin to suck out of the dropper. I really hope it starts to pick up, it should. I've hand reared whole litters of a small breed in the past & they've made it till weaning when things get easier.

[TheTempest]

Just a quick update. The one we were worried about has put on 30g now so less of a worry. One of the other ones hasn't put any on over night though :(

So never doing this again, the worry is torture!

[TheTempest]

Thank you so much everyone, much appreciated!

[Aquelven]

Glad it's picking up. You'll probably find they all vary in weight gain. I never bother weighing them daily as long as they seem to be thriving.....don't need the worry!