On March 5, my girl Pal delivered naturally 12 puppies. One male was stillborn and another female who later sported a "pink" ribbon was a tiny little thing weighing no more than 210 g at birth (7 oz). As tiny as she was, she had spunk. We called her "Mini-Pink" due to her pink ribbon and the fact that she was so tiny.
I found that she was not gaining weight, after 4 days she had only gained 80 g and was up to 280 g and holding. I decided that I would supplement her with goat's milk via bottle feeding. On March 10th around 5 pm, I found Mini-pink limp and turning blue - her breathing very laboured. My husband, Peter, rushed her to the vet (after hours, our clinic was closed and we had to go another clinic). The vet there took xrays and found fluid in the left lung, but the right lung was clear - so she had a bit over 50 percent lung capacity. She perscribed antibiotic in case of infection (pnuemonia) and we were told to keep her warm and give fluid (milk) via syringe every 2 hours. The next 24 to 36 hours were critical for her survival. LESSON NO. 1.... the vet SHOULD have shown Peter how to tube feed. There is no way that we could get enough fluids into this wee girl via syringe to the mouth. Additionally, she should have been receiving sub-q fluids. The following morning, Mini-Pink, was showing some improvement - her sucking reflex was back and she was no longer limp. However, later that day her strength waned once again and she became like a dishrag. I rushed into the vet again (this time my clinic). My vet showed me how to tube feed - he said she is dehydrated and needs lots of fluids - at least 5 cc every 2 hours. So, I had a crash course in tube feeding and off home again. Spent the night feeding Mini-Pink every 2 hours. Again, she appeared much stronger in the morning and I was filled with hope that this brave wee girl would survive. Around 11 am, she started to moan and cry - every movement sent pain through her body. Once again - I rush her to the vet. We figure she has collic and is still very dehydrated. I am dispatched to the local drug store for gripe water. We administer gripe water in hopes this will help relieve the poor thing of the gas. Additionally, she appears bloated and we figure she is having a difficult time pooping due to not enough fluids in her intestines to ease the feces along - so, the vet gives her a tiny enema. Also, she is give 10 cc sub-q injections of saline. Around 3 pm I return home - she is still moaning and crying. The injection area for sub-q's is very painful to her. LESSON 2 - tube feeding requires burping too...I did not know that. I was not told. I continued to tube feed her every 2 hours and also administer sub-q injections of 5 ccs 8 hours apart. By 3 am her breathing was laboured and she was gasping - she was extremely limp and froth/liquid was coming out of her tiny mouth. Around 10:45 am - my sweet little puppy lost her brave fight. I write story about Mini-Pink in hopes that other breeders will learn from my experience and know what to do and not to do if one of their puppies aspirates on milk. This is Mini-Pink's gift to me - to show me how to save the next puppy should this happen, and to pass on this information to help others. What I learned.... I should have tube fed Mini-Pink from the beginning and not used a bottle. Previous to this, I was very afraid of tube feeding because I had heard that one can put the tube into the lungs instead of the stomach - but, that is really difficult to do - as you measure the length of tube and if it doesn't go all the way, then you remove the tube and try again - that way you are assured of being in the stomach. You can get more fluids into the stomach with a tube than you can with a bottle. Learn how to tube feed - don't be afraid. I have also sent Mini-Pink and her stillborn brother's bodies to the university for necropsy. Perhaps there was more wrong with Mini-Pink than just aspiration. It is important that breeders find out why puppies die and not just pass it off as fading puppy syndrome. Very hard lessons learned over these past few days. Thank you Mini-Pink. Your short life was not without purpose (Mar 5 - 13, 2003). Humbly, Debbie -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
