Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 7/3/2010

Question
Hello,i have a newborn Yorkshire terrier 7 days old.On the 3rd day of her life we found out she is constipated and was on the edge due to this problem to die.We tube feed her,hydrate her enough and all looks good as she is starting to gain weight.My problem is that she doesn't defecate all the times i stimulate her and i do only,if she appears full to me after feeding.Simply sometimes i can not get anything out of her and she tends to push constantly and it causes her a lot of pain.Do you think its normal and maybe i shouldn't stimulate to long or often or she might have some intestinal disorder?She defecates here and there,like once in 2 days.I think it is not enough and that's why i am concerned.Thank you very much for any advice.Sincerely,Nell.

Answer
Nell -

It is important that you stimulate your pup's bottom so that she can defecate and urinate.  She is too young to do it on her own - her mom would usually lick her bottom until she urinates and has a bowel movement,

Get a wet towel and wet her bottom after each meal until she does her business- usually about 5-6 times a day until she is about three weeks old.  Her eyes should open at about ten days old.  

Get a book on caring for an orphaned puppy - there are lots of things you should know and time will not permit me to write them here. There are plenty of resources on raising orphaned puppies -


Good Luck -

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM