Producing milk?

[kat2206]

My lab bitch gave birth to 9 puppies on Thursday, her milk doesn't seem to have come through though. The babies are feeding on her every half hour or so, my last bitch produced milk straight away but this one seems to be quite "dry" any suggestions?

[friedgreentomato]

If the milk has not come through are you feeding by hand? If not the puppies will not survive much longer!

[cathfromsaron]

first call the vet, but human milk doesn't come in straight away! do the pups appear to be feeding to encourage production?

cath x

[kat2206]

Hi,yes the pups are feeding from her regularly but her milk doesn't seem to have come in yet, they are feeding quite often. Having said that her appetite has come back with a vengeance since my 1st post so here's looking up. The pups are fine, they are warm, making spasmodic movements etc, they seem healthy and "happy" enough but I was concerned with regards to the lack of milk produced but I guess I'm going on my previous bitches milk production...

[chaptazbru]

I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons here - why do you keep breeding more dogs when there are already far too many to go round - just ask the many dogs homes and charities throughout the country who are desperately trying to find good, loving homes for all their occupants, many of whom have to be 'put down' because there just aren't the homes ?????

[kat2206]

Our dog is a working dog (gun dog) our friends will be taking the puppies to train and be working dogs. None of our puppies will be without homes and we don't "keep" breeding dogs, we have had 3 litters, in total. Certainly back street breeders either...

[kat2206]

Apologies for typo. Meant we are not back street breeders.

[ojread2]

have you squeezed the nipples to see what comes out?
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there

[kat2206]

Hi Oj, yes I have and only a few spots of milk appear, however when the babies are suckling they seem to be swallowing/drinking but it's the amount of time of them being latched on to her, they hardly seem to give the poor girl a rest between the next feed. Maybe they feed more regularly though due to the lack of milk being produced.. I do try to get her out of the whelping box regularly to have a break but she is such a good mum she doesn't like leaving them.

[ojread2]

Just make sure mum has lots if high calorie food and water
I would assume puppies feed very frequently to being with

[jomifl]

Milk production will increase as the puppies grow, your bitch won't get up to full output for a few weeks. As long as the pups are peeing regularly then they are probably getting enough milk.

[JonnyBoy12]

So sorry to hear that. As the others say you will have to act fast if you do not want to lose all your litter. If this was a sheep I would suggest bottle feeding with a food called Milkivit but can you get the same thing for dogs and cats?

Can anyone help me out here?

[kat2206]

Yep, they are peeing/pooping fine... I have got the Royal Canin puppy milk but the babies don't seem to like being supplemented.