Chapter III: The First Week
(Day 1- Day 7)
July 15, 2008
(Day Three)Yesterday was not a better day but today was. The puppies lost quite a bit more weight by 3am yesterday so I called Dr. Nairn and she met me at her office in the middle of the night. They are still very active and their urine and stools are normal but they just weren't gaining weight. Dr. Nairn said it was because Cider's nipples were too big -- they could not get it into their mouths and they were only taking the tips in and not getting to the base but other than that, they were looking good. Skinny, but good! The staff at Century Animal Hospital stayed with Cid and the pups and helped us teach them how to be more effective nursers. The boy is starting to get it but you really need to help the girl. Today though, she has made much progress and is really starting to get it. We started supplementing them with a bottle of Cider's milk (thanks to Wende for showing me how to bottle feed) and I am happy to report they are finally gaining weight! Dr. Nairn said if we could cut 1/4" off Cider's nipples, we would have had no problems. Cid's milk is pretty good now. It doesn't take me more than 10 minutes to milk about 2oz out of her for the next feeding. They are doing good but I will be happy once they are back to their birth weights.
As usual, Cid is still making me force feed her. Karen and Jeffrey just let me know that they used to hate bottle feeding Cider because she ate so slow even then. *sigh* I think the little girl will take after her mother.
Sade (Jamal's sister) has been here the last couple of days helping out. I was in worry mode for awhile there and even with her help, it was hard for me to get any sleep. Now that they are doing better, I think I'll get a good amount of sleep tonight (and a much needed shower!). YAY!
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