We are continuing to struggle with the harl girl.
Have increased the tube feedings, as my hope that she was getting some from nursing proved false since she lost weight this morning.
Tube feeding the puppy isn’t as difficult as I originally thought it might be, although the around-the-clock-every-two-hours is certainly draining.
When tubing, you have to be careful not to get the tube into the lungs. Once you think you have the tube in place, a quick suck on the end tells you if it’s in the right location. If it’s in the lungs, you get air back through the tube (like sucking on a straw); if it’s in the tummy, you get resistance and no air.
We’ve been trying multiple remedies for “fading puppies”. I’ve done warmed sub-q fluids, drops of beef liver (old cure for fading puppies…take a large beef liver, boil in a little bit of water…you only want the liquid produced…you give the puppy 4 drops every 2-4 hours), brandy (a drop or so at a time), various homeopathic medicines, probiotics and most importantly, WARMTH. I have a heating lamp on the whelping box and also have hot water bottles for the little girl.
Hopefully the fact she is still with us is a good sign, although my concern level is still very high.
I can’t thank my friends enough for their help.