question for the breeders on the board!

[April]

My FIL for reasons known only to him didn't get one of his females up in time to prevent a pregnancy (English Pointer sire X English Setter [censored]).  Well, the puppies were born this past weekend while my IL's were gone (FIL was admitted to the hospital so no one was home or knew there were puppies for nearly 12 hours as a result).  Anyway, most of the litter didn't make it since the mom was outside and no one was there.  There is however one puppy left who is fighting like everything to stay around.  It seems as though the mother's milk is "bad" and I'm not really familiar with that.  (I'm pretty up to date on human lactation but not dogs.)  What can be done if anything?  Late last night they started giving milk to the pup since they didn't have any doggy formula and he made it through today and is trying to nurse, but seems to get sick when he does.  What I've been able to find online is that a round of amoxicillin can clear up the milk because it's caused by an infection?  Is it safe for the puppy to nurse while this is done?  Supplemented by dog formula to make sure it's getting some nutrition and not completely "bad milk".  Always before they just took the puppies away from the mom so they couldn't nurse and bottle fed them, but if possible they'd like to let mom take care of the pup. 

I have said that this pup needs to be fixed ASAP, so hopefully someone will listen to me now.  Thank you for the advice/suggestions!

[Jen]

April,

Your FIL needs to take the mother and the puppy to the vet to be checked out ASAP (like NOW)... yes the mother could have a infection as could the puppy both may need antibiotics. As for puppy formula when I need to supplement pups I usually use Esbilac (Goats Milk Formula) the puppies seem to tolerate this very well I also give puppies that are  being bottle fed either fast track or benebac supplement (good bacteria for the digestive tract) helps keep everything moving through and a bit of nutri-cal. I will post links below for everything so you can see what I use -

GME
http://revivalanimal.com/product.asp?pn=43%2D910

Benebac
http://revivalanimal.com/product.asp?pn=43-190&bhcd2=1155074050

Nutri-Cal
http://revivalanimal.com/product.asp?pn=23%2D522

The best bottles i have found are regular baby bottles with premie nipples attached or tube feeding (which should only be done if the person knows what they are doing) supplies for that can be gotten from the vet (french feeding tube and syringe) Good Luck I do hope the puppy will pull through and they get the parents fixed!  :xfinger:

Jen

[April]

Thank you Jen!  Unfortunately, no one was able to go to the vet to get the formula until David got off work (at 3) so it didn't get there until around 4-4:30 and the puppy had passed.  The pup had been eating out of a syringe without a tube without a problemup until then.  They are going to give antibiotics to the mom just in case there is an infection, but she is up and running around like a nut.  (This is her normal activity level.)  I honestly don't understand my IL's sometimes and this is one of those times.  My FIL just got out of the hospital so he couldn't go get the stuff I understand but my MIL was there and could've gone but didn't "since David said he could do it if needed".  GRR!  My FIL has refused to get any of his dogs altered even though they are not breeding anymore (intentionally) and they are past safe breeding age.  Most of them, both males and females, are close to 10 years.  The age range for their dogs is 7-17 years, but most are 10+.    The local vet he's always worked with refuses to alter them now because of their age saying it'd kill them if he tried to put them under.  I'm very frustrated about it to say the least. 
Thank you for your assistance.  I'm just sorry this had to happen.   

[Barb]

That is so sad..... I know you have struggled with this issue many times.....it is hard to understand.  Thank you and David for caring to do as much as you can......