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Expert: - 1/28/2012


Question
Hello I have 3 Shih Tzu puppies that are 4 weeks old. One of them has pneumonia and is taking antibiotics from the vet. They are in their box with a blanket over a heating pad. The mothers not in there much helping keep them warm. Is it ok the box is under a window or should I relocate it where they won’t be by a window? We have the window shut but it gets down to 10 degrees some nights. Also we have to handfeed that one and a few people have told me to never feed a puppy when he/she is cold or it could kill the puppy. Is that true.
Thank you.

Answer
I would move the whole box of puppies to an interior room away from the windows. Make sure there are a few towels in between the heating pad and the box or they can over heat or get burned.

And the reason it's hard on a puppy to to feed them when they are cold (we're talking comatose cold and unresponsive) is because the body has shifted all warmth away from the stomach to try and stay alive.

So if the puppy is active and moving about it should be fed small meals often. Make sure the food is warmed up but not hot.

I hope that your little ones do well.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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