Thanks all! I fed only days 1-2 supplementing moms colostrum and giving mom some rest. She had some episodic respiratory issues after c section when feeding. Not sure what that was all about but she is better and pups are nursing and gaining!

Thanks all! I fed only days 1-2 supplementing moms colostrum and giving mom some rest. She had some episodic respiratory issues after c section when feeding. Not sure what that was all about but she is better and pups are nursing and gaining!

We LOVE puppies!

We LOVE puppies!

for added calories.... pups have done well on this combo.... i use pedialyte when using only powder formula.... the thing is the pup needs to be gaining steadily. if they are not gaining, they are not getting enougt to eat. so either increase the amount some or the number of feedings per day......

Chris.....

for added calories.... pups have done well on this combo.... i use pedialyte when using only powder formula.... the thing is the pup needs to be gaining steadily. if they are not gaining, they are not getting enougt to eat. so either increase the amount some or the number of feedings per day......

Chris.....

Most of the manufactured formulas (Esbilac, First Born) recommends feeding 1/2 oz for every 2 oz. of body weight/ day. So, yes, if you are feeding every 2 hrs (12 feeds--but why would you want to feed so frequently? exhausting!) you would feed 5 cc. However that amount is based on an orphaned pup not receving mothers milk. I usually try to estimate what % is coming from Mom and reduce the amount by that amount or I "sneak" in an extra feed or 2 based on that amount. Of course if pup was getting nothing from Mom I probably would feed a little more then the suggested amount as that is the minimum that should be given. The amounts on that feeding chart are good as supplemental feedings--in other words--pups are also getting milk from Mom. If they weren't I think they would be underfed if given only that amount. Not only do you need to provide enough calories but you also need to provide enough fluid for hydration. The best way is to judge how the pups are doing: do their stomachs feel full but not hard after feeding? Are they tolerating the amount without vomiting? Are their poops normal? ARE THEY GAINING WEIGHT?!!! Are they content and sleeping for an adequate length between feeds? Another suggestion--for a pup not tolerating the amount but gaining weight poorly I mix the powder formula with less water--more calories in a smaller volumn. It is one of the reasons I prefer a powder over a ready made even though powder can be a pain to mix. I also use bottled water when I mix my formula.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

Most of the manufactured formulas (Esbilac, First Born) recommends feeding 1/2 oz for every 2 oz. of body weight/ day. So, yes, if you are feeding every 2 hrs (12 feeds--but why would you want to feed so frequently? exhausting!) you would feed 5 cc. However that amount is based on an orphaned pup not receving mothers milk. I usually try to estimate what % is coming from Mom and reduce the amount by that amount or I "sneak" in an extra feed or 2 based on that amount. Of course if pup was getting nothing from Mom I probably would feed a little more then the suggested amount as that is the minimum that should be given. The amounts on that feeding chart are good as supplemental feedings--in other words--pups are also getting milk from Mom. If they weren't I think they would be underfed if given only that amount. Not only do you need to provide enough calories but you also need to provide enough fluid for hydration. The best way is to judge how the pups are doing: do their stomachs feel full but not hard after feeding? Are they tolerating the amount without vomiting? Are their poops normal? ARE THEY GAINING WEIGHT?!!! Are they content and sleeping for an adequate length between feeds? Another suggestion--for a pup not tolerating the amount but gaining weight poorly I mix the powder formula with less water--more calories in a smaller volumn. It is one of the reasons I prefer a powder over a ready made even though powder can be a pain to mix. I also use bottled water when I mix my formula.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

Here's a feeding chart we put together and have used successfully while tube and bottle feeding puppies

Beth Handrick
Wimsey Bulldogs

Here's a feeding chart we put together and have used successfully while tube and bottle feeding puppies

Beth Handrick
Wimsey Bulldogs