posted 11-12-2003 11:44 PM         

I had to raise 6 pups from birth and it was very difficult, I assume you are feeding them a puppy formula? Depending on the size of the pups mouths, a normal babies bottle should do the trick.

I let a little milk run on their tongue to stimulate them to suck then I squeezed the teat of the bottle to make it smaller to fit entirely in their mouths, so they had a good chance to suck properly. That's what I found to work best. If you can get the teat mostly in their mouths then they will suck better. just putting it a little bit in won't work as they back-throw their tongues to get the teat out.

I'm not sure how to use a vet's teat if you are using one, but I assume you'd try it the same way. Anyway I hope I am making sense and I wish you very good luck!

Let me know how it goes.

posted 11-13-2003 01:21 AM         

I found that using an eye dropper was best for my pups once they reach 10 days old when they eyes started opening i used a handfeeding bottle from my vet they took to that straight away its the same shape and size to a mothers teat.

You should weigh each pup and keep a record of there progress this way you will notice of any are not gaining weight.

They should be fed usually every 1-2 hours around the clock until they are about 10days old then this can be changed to every 2-4 hours..

Some puppies will each more than there litter mates. You will also find that hand fed puppies will take to solid food alot faster than one that was raised by its mother.

When one of my bitches does not produce milk i always have her checked by the vet and they give her a hormone stimulant to help her produce milk.This method may or may not work it didnt with one of my bitches..

Out of all my dogs i have only ever had a problem with 2 of them not lactating...

keep us posted of there progress and if you would like more info or help you can email me at boro_lad1976@hotmail.com and i will be pleased to help..