Hi! So our new born rottweiler puppy is having a problem being fed because the mother is not excreting milk for the puppy. What can we do to help the mother excrete some milk for the puppy to drink?
Or is there a alternative milk which we can buy for the puppy?
Lastly, what is the interval of the mother giving birth? thank you in advance! 🙂
Hi
I’m not sure how old this puppy is, because it sounds as though he/she has literally just been born…. but ‘newborn’ is a term that can be used for a pup up to a week or more in age.
For the first 24 hours or so, the momma dog will only produce colostrum, a thin clear fluid which doesn’t look like much but is packed full of antibodies and other stuff that a newborn puppy needs. After that point she will begin to produce milk.
Generally newborns will spend all their time either nursing or sleeping, and as long as they seem contented and don’t cry/whine a lot (and feel soft and warm), then they are getting enough nutrition.
There are puppy milk formulas that you can use to supplement feed puppies if necessary, but don’t rush to do this unless you’re sure that the puppy isn’t being fed (then a pup will cry a LOT, will be restless, will feel cool and a bit rigid, and won’t gain weight). Hand rearing puppies isn’t easy and the momma does a much better job of it, so allow her the chance before making any changes.
Of course, if a puppy is struggling it’s important to step in, just make sure that you evaluate the situation correctly.
As for how long between births, generally puppies can be born anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours apart. But if it’s been more than 2 hours since the birth of a pup, and the momma is still actively in labor (ie contracting, straining, panting etc.), then you need to get veterinary help as there could be a problem.
Hope this helps, best of luck with your dog and her puppies.
