Care Guide in caring for puppies in general
& preemie pups by hands on experience!
Difference in looks, growth & ways of keeping preemies or weak/fading puppies thriving & alive!!
Photo examples towards bottom of page!
These growth photo examples below are sired by the same sire in which all his breeding's were consistent in weights around 95-118lbs around 6months old on males & females averaging around 70-99lbs around 6months old
{will update as our preemie pups growth to see if any different & how long it takes for them to get normal weights as it should be done slowly. Their development was started earlier than was suppose to out of the
womb so you don't wanna force things to quickly}
We will update photos as the preemie babies grow so keep checking back for young pup into adult growth
Photos used were out of the same litter, both preemie & regular birth pups.
When you google preemie pups on all info I have seen, all say feeding pups every 2hours & 90-100 degrees in temperature. Although temperament is right, feeding every 2hours is typical for normal birth pups. We found preemies needed extra feeding and stayed on top of assuring they were on the Dam every 30-45mins their first week. I literally slept 45mins to an hour each night (didn't trust my lack of sleep to be waken by alarm & wouldn't recommend it anyone, even if your a light sleeper the lack of sleep will get to you after a couple days its best to have someone that can wake you). Although pups were with the dam 24/7 not all can be trusted to be with their dam its still best to make sure they are on the mom nursing as much as possible to assure each pup is getting the proper amount of feedings (preemie's or weak/fading pups can go quickly if not getting the help they need to get to mom to nurse). Pups should nurse and feed as often as they want & as often as they want their first couple weeks.
Our hard work & dedication to these pups is proof preemie's or a weak/fading puppy can be saved. Time, dedication, focus, love and yes some lack of sleep. All things ANY breeder should be doing when producing pups IMO.
Every puppy is worth saving!!
You should also have a whelping box big enough for the dam to have her own area to lay away from puppies & easy access out. This will help avoid her from stepping on or crushing puppies. For mastiffs I have found a 5ft by 4ft whelping box ($100 in material) is a great quick and easy box to make. We use stick on laminate as flooring for easy clean ups and also because most moms will dig, its also easy to replace & inexpensive. Dams should also have their own private room to reduce stress from visitors or other pets in the house. Be careful when introducing mom & pups to new potential homes. Its very common for the mom to become protective of her babies especially a first time mom. We allow people to visit puppies outside the whelping area in a pack & play or laundry basket from birth up (pups are not aloud to be handled or touched their first few weeks to assure no spreading of germs to our pups). We also wait a couple weeks to introduce the dam to new people as this can cause stress & stress can lead to bloat.
Keep whelping area clean!!
Preemies!!!
1 week old to 4week old differences
See the difference between 4 weeks old when preemies still comfortably fit on Dam compared to 6weeks old over powering and beginning to gain more weight each week! Truly has been a blessing to watch
& raise these guys as they grow!
List of items to have on hand for preemies and in some cases weak/fading puppies
{even things the Dam can have}
Helps loose/runny stools in puppies
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