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Expert: - 1/30/2012


Question
I have 9 puppies who are 4 weeks old (born Jan 2, 2012). Dad is American Bulldog/Shepherd mix, mom is Blackmouth Cur mix. Puppies look large like the American Bull. I started feeding them Purina Puppy Chow Complete & Balanced with DHA, about a week ago. I followed the directions which suggested 3:1 food to water mix. I'm only doing this once a day to help mom.  Mom is a young Cur and seems overwhelmed by her large puppies. She didn't seem to be bothered by nursing until recently. Her belly is cut and scratched and I think that's why she doesn't want to nurse the pups any longer. I have tried separating her from the pups and letting 2 pups nurse at the time but even then she seems uneasy. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Well you are doing the right thing and you might as well wean this guys starting now. I would still bottle feed them once at night and maybe in the morning but get them on the dry/wet food soon.

I would use better food however, like Science Diet large breed puppy growth. That way they will actually get some nutrition. Purina puppy food also is coated in milk which puppies cannot digest and it will cause diarrhea.

So get them on some good quality food and rotate them to her when you can. Getting her spayed now will also help calm her down a lot.  

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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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