General Chat > Other Pets

Puppy rejected by mom

(1/2) > >>

Snickerdoodlesmom:
My friend's dog just gave birth to 11 puppies last week. One died, and now another of the puppies (the runt) was rejected by his mom. They're bottle-feeding him, but it isn't looking good. What could cause this and how can it be fixed?
Note: if it's relevant, the puppies are a German shepherd/pit bull mix.

Snickerdoodlesmom:
Never mind--- he wasn't rejected. His mom is still licking him, but he isn't doing well. Why is this?

GrayRodent:
Sometimes animals have a sixth sense about their babies. If they aren't healthy they often leave them to die so the healthy ones get the milk. The runt is usually the puppy that had the least nourishment in the womb and it is possible it is underdeveloped and may not be viable.

As far as the reason why the puppy isn't doing well it can be so many different things that it's impossible to guess. They should have it examined by a vet if they want to save it.

Snickerdoodlesmom:
He wasn't rejected though. He just isn't thriving.

kageri:
Failure to thrive is an actual disorder. Most often it is a runt.  There are many possible causes and sometimes no cause is found.  Underdevelopped offspring can have digestive tract issues, neurological problems, lack of sucking reflex, poor waste removal so toxins build up, various organ problems, heart failure....  Who knows what it is.  A vet might be able to find something but whether it can be fixed is another matter.  Mothers often stop feeding runts or the runts just give up fighting with their siblings for milk.  Especially in a large litter like that.  Hand feeding might work if it's only problem is being weaker than the others but it's possible the puppy is just not a viable offspring and will die from internal problems.  Something you have to face when breeding.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page