Midwoof Diaries: When the dam has no milk for her puppies
Over the nine years we've bred Pomskies, there have been instances where the mothers couldn't nurse their puppies. Having the survival of these vulnerable puppies depend on us is an alarming responsibility. Thankfully, we've always managed to find surrogate mothers to nurse the pups. But it's not straightforward; we follow a careful process to ensure the surrogate mother accepts the puppies. Although some dogs readily accept new puppies, we never risk it.
Here is an account of one such experience:
Recently, we encountered this situation with Nova's litter. Nova, a beautiful and affectionate Husky, is also a gentle and attentive mother. A few days before her expected delivery, I observed that she was less lively than usual and appeared sluggish. By the following morning, she had stopped eating. Although this could indicate the onset of labor, I sensed something was amiss. We took her to the veterinarian, who concluded that she was not coping well with her large litter of nine puppies and required an immediate cesarean section to save her life. In these situations, the well-being of the mothers always takes precedence over the puppies. We proceeded with the surgery, aware that the puppies' chances of survival outside the womb were uncertain.
Our exceptional veterinarian is very involved and permits us to be present during the c-sections. Witnessing this remarkable process is a privilege, and it's extraordinary to see new lives being welcomed in such a way. During this particular c-section, I was as anxious as an expectant father, nearly in tears, worried for Nova and the puppies' unforeseen outcomes. They brought each puppy in, all of them crying out, to be clamped and cleaned. All nine were vigorous, vocal, and appeared healthy! After Nova was sutured, we received the heartbreaking news that she had no milk at all. I gazed at the nine newborns and exhaled deeply, bracing myself for the challenging days to come.
Taking in puppies without a mother to feed them involves more than one might initially think. Newborn puppies require feeding every two to three hours. Additionally, a mother dog encourages her puppies to urinate and defecate during the first few weeks of life; without this stimulation, the puppies can suffer from blockages and potentially die. In the absence of their mother, it became our responsibility to manage all of these needs. Managing nine puppies is an immense task, especially when it comes to feeding and toileting. Bottle feeding is particularly challenging and carries a high risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.
With this knowledge, I started considering my options. We had several litters born two weeks earlier, but the mother dogs already had sizable litters of their own, and I was concerned about overburdening them and depleting their nutrients. Moreover, there's the danger of eclampsia, or severe calcium depletion, which poses a significant health risk. That's when I thought of Moana, our Pomsky mother with just one puppy.
Moana, one of our larger Pomskies, weighs between 28-32 lbs, varying with the seasons. This time, she was bred later than usual and had just one puppy. She seemed somewhat bored with only one baby to care for. I had never used her as a surrogate and was uncertain about her reaction. To transplant puppies, we conduct supervised feedings every 2-3 hours, holding the mother's head to prevent any sudden movements towards the puppies. Without her scent on them, there's a risk she might reject and harm the puppies. The supervised feedings last 24-36 hours, allowing Moana's scent to transfer to the puppies and for them to pass her milk, which we hope she'll recognize as her own and accept them. This process is lengthy and exhausting, with intense sleep deprivation. We settled into a routine of feeding every 3 hours.
Moana's reaction surpassed that of any other dog I've worked with during this process. It was as if she knew the puppies needed her. As soon as I entered the room with a basket full of puppies, she promptly rolled over to give them access. In the meantime, I assisted the puppies in learning how to latch on properly and remain attached to ensure they received enough milk. I regularly weighed the puppies after several feedings to confirm they were gaining weight and prioritized the smaller ones for feeding to prevent weight loss. With a litter of nine, I organized them into two groups for feeding to ensure each one could eat while I monitored their progress.
Approximately 36 hours later, Moana showed interest in more than just feeding the puppies. They carried her scent, and she started to clean them as if they were her own. Recognizing the right moment, we allowed her puppy, "Ranger," to sleep alongside them in their basket for several hours before moving everyone to the whelping area. Upon introducing Moana to the space, she promptly approached and lay down, allowing all her puppies to feed. And just like that, it was done.
After much effort and prayers, our beloved girl rose to the challenge admirably. All ten puppies are flourishing, and we've boosted her diet with additional calories and calcium to sustain nursing such a sizable litter. It was indeed the most favorable outcome for this case. Although bottle feeding is an option, it's far superior for the mother dog to tend to her puppies, providing them with the essential nurturing they require. At three weeks old, they're all prospering, beginning to toddle, and learning to walk and run. Moana is a vigilant mother, always staying close to her brood. Nova has made an excellent recovery and is scheduled to be spayed and retired.
