You have to be a little careful about diluting the formula more than the prescribed amount. If it comes out of the nipple too fast and more than she's used to you end up taking the chances of her taking in too much fluids and getting it in her lungs. A big mistake that many have learned the hard way from. If you're using the GNC brand formula that I recommended the mix ratio is perfect but you need to ensure it's well stirred and mixed.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Yeah I'm just following the instructions to the T. But I was looking at other posts on the internet and people have had the same constipation problems with esbilac. But she is doin much better today. Her paw swelling went down a bit. I used witch hazel and some neo. She weight .91 today.
Hey look at this picture.....have you ever seen a whelping situation like this?
Ryan, it sounds like she's doing a lot better which is really good to hear. I don't like that Esbilac formula that's why I recommended GNC Formula. Unfortunately, I have seen other similar photos like the one you posted of the sire and dam laying together in a kiddy pool with their litter. Definitely an unsafe setting and whelping box for raising a Bull Terrier litter. It might explain why there is only 2 puppies. I suppose many will find it to be a cute photo but to a breeder with experience it would be frowned upon.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
I figured as much. That photo was in Mexico. They love bullies down there. When I got the esbilac that was all they had. After Easter I'm going to try some gnc in the next town over.
She was. Rey constipated today. Remember that video with the tube feeding English bull dogs? Well he also had an enima video on there. Tried it and it work really well. She has much more energy and she twitches more. Her foot is looking a bit better today too.
Ryan, she'll let you know when to up her diet. She will continue to drink until she get's full while she's on the bottle. By now you can tell when she is full. I assume that you are making more than one ounce of food at a time and mixing into the bottle. Allow her to drink until she pulls away and wants no more. Continue to keep tabs on the volume of food she's drinking. Don't worry about how little she may be right now or what her weight is just as long as there's progress. She will gain weight Fast when she is 4 weeks old and starts on solid foods.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
I just need to know the exact nipple I should get. Tried 3 different ones. And did a custom x cut Jo. On one and I still have an easier time tube feeding, With the bottle it takes a min or two for her to get comfortable
Nothing wrong with taking a minute or two for her to get going on the bottle. It takes some time to bottle feed and poop each individual puppy. You'd be amazed how long it would take a litter with about 7 puppies. By the the time you're done it's almost time to start feeding the first one again.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Last night was stressful. I fed her at 130am went to sleep but my alarm didn't go off. Woke up at 8 with one really hungry pup. Got her over an oz of food and she tinkled. Then at noon today she drank from the bottle about an oz and finally all her poop came out that must have been blocked up.
Her foot looks worse and better. The swelling is way down but her toe and nail fell off. I use witch hazel and neo every 4 hours or so.
Don't beat yourself up on missing the alarm. This little girl has the will to survive and deserves every bit of your support to reward her for such a strong will. Just listen to Steve's advice. If there is anyone that can walk you through saving this baby it's him. You've done a huge job so far and only a little while longer she'll be out of the woods. Then you will see how magnificent a little bullie she will be! Still praying for you and that precious little girl.
Just out of curiosity, but will a dog have any issues with a missing toe? I don't think it would make much of a difference in her walk, but later on in life is there a higher chance if arthritis in that paw?
Again, I am so pleased to see your dedication Ryan. This little girl's odds improve with every minute and it's all because of you and her unshakable will to survive. You two make an unstoppable team. And do not let anyone or anything deter you from that goal. She's not giving up, I'm not giving up on you, and neither is she! At this juncture there is only one goal, one important consideration. And that's facing each obstacle as it comes.
Thanks xtracho. I ain't giving up. She made it this far....what's another couple weeks ya know? She's got this...she's finally up to over a pound and her appetite is improving. I'm fighting the infection in her foot after every feeding and popping.
I'm not sure what her foot is going to look like permanently or if it's going to effect her. In a perfect world I'd like to see it healed by the time she's 8 weeks or so. You can see her eyes are starting to open! She's going to think her mom is a 250 pound man with a big beard haha
That's awesome Ryan. Your attachment and bond with her will be so strong and you'll be so happy you devoted your energy to save her life. Don't worry about her missing toe. It will have no affect on her. Just make sure the infection is going away and the foot is healing. It sounds as though it is. As an adult you'll be hard pressed to even notice she's missing a toe and she'll never know she was supposed to have one. Personally I think a dog would miss their sexual organs from neutering or spaying more than a toe, but that's just my opinion. I'm really happy to hear with each day she is getting better and better. We're all going to be wanting some updated photos soon! At 2 weeks old (which is coming up) you're going to be in need of worming her. Due to her weight and condition you may want to wait until she is 2 1/2 weeks old. See if your Vet would be nice enough to sell you some "Stongid T. "
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
I would love to be a fly on the wall and witness the first time she sees the man that is her partner in this struggle. To me, it would be quite emotional to say the least. I'm half a world away in Brazil right now, but in spirit I'm standing right there with you. And we could make a great tag team. I'm 6'5" and about 270 lbs. Please keep feeding us your updates as you have them. Because this will be a story of love and devotion and we are privileged on this forum to live it first hand, as it happens.
Sorry to be so gushy about this. But as I'm not an expert it's all I can offer.
Wow Brazil!? That's far away haha. I'll be updating on the thread everyday. Once she gets a little older I'll have pictures of her.. For now I got to make sure her foot doesn't get out of control. Seems to be healing but it's also dry and cracking. I'm sure in 4 to 5 days it will be a lots better.
Steve, thanks for everything. With out your guidance I'm sure I would have failed..., she will be two weeks on Thursday. Should I wait until the following Monday for here worming? Maybe longer? And when should Ido her Provo? 6 weeks?
Yes, start her deworming on Monday. Then give it to her once a week until she is 6 weeks old. Once you take her in at 6 weeks old for her required vaccinations she should be free of any signs of worms and hopefully receive a clean bill of health. Put some Neosporin or Bag Balm on her foot so it's not so dry and to promote the healing.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Fontana, a bunch of us have been following your epic fight... It such a pity that you lost the first ones but it seems your determination will see the little girl through so you can look forward to having the best friend in the world for the next 14 to 16 years. You haven't told us much about how mom is doing now? If this is your first Bullie you will soon learn that she will become a part of you in every way... She'll hardly be able to be out of the same room as you. Keep her safe and post pics as soon as you are able.... In South Africa there's a Dutch expression that's "VasByt"... Which directly translated is Bite (or hold on) Tight! I think you're already doing that for the precious thing, but it's an easy word to repeat to give you strength!
In the beginning God created English Bull Terriers, in the image of EBT's, God created all other breeds.
You are doing a great job. Those that want to have puppies don't know what they are in for. All litters are not like this but this can happen. Feeding by feeding and pooping by pooping she is getting stronger and stronger. It takes allot of dedication but the satisfaction outwieghts it all. There will always be a bond for what you did. Just remember that at 6 weeks when she is biting your toes!
Haha. Thanks for the support and kind words. This is not my first bully. I got my male over 3 years ago. His name is Bro. I then got a female 10months back. Her name is Barbara. They had accident...long story short. Now I'm taking care of their baby. This is the first time however that I have had a litter or raises a pup. It has all been a great learning experience. A good friend of mine who has been wanting a bull terrier is going to get her. He has researched the breed, has a great home, great yard and was always around my 2 bullies. He also lives less than a mile away from me so I will always get to see her.
Most excellent news on the weight gain. And the Bag Balm that Steve mentioned is the real deal. You can get it at your local feed store and some hardware stores have it too.
I got her Amoxicillin. Every 12 hours I give her one ML. It's pink like pepto and smells like strawberry. I really hope she doesn't sustain any cruttial damage from this. I hope she can have nails and paws on that foot.
Other then that she is gaining weight every day. Pooping and peeing. She is constipated but if I can't get her to poop in 15 mins I do a puppy enema. I've only had to do it twice but it works great.
Her eyes are really starting to peel back and open which is exciting. I really hope she can pull through all of this underweight puppy nonsense and get healthy. When she is eating solid foods And getting back on track I will gain confendence back
It's great to read all the progress she's made! I didn't mean to sound negative in my post before...I'm sorry if I made it seem that way. Sounds like she's a fighter, but she's got a real hero looking out for her. Looking forward to watching her grow big and strong.
Alrighty..update. Thanks for all the support folks. She is a day shy from being two weeks old. Her eyes are open for the most part and she has a lot of energy when she eats or try's to poop. She weighs 1.21 pounds and is now eating 1.5 oz or so per feeding.
Foot swelling has gone down and the remaing dead flesh has gone away. Now I hope it can heal completely. I give her 1ML of liquid amoxicillin every 12 hours. Noon and midnight.
Seeing as how her eyes are über sensitive to light I have been keeping all the lights off in her room except when it's feeding time. Making sure she can sleep, grow and heal.
A little bit of light won't hurt her. It's best to set up your whelping box and weening under a window so the puppies (or puppy) can benefit from some sun light.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Yes. I ment to say she has natural light coming in thru the window. Just the right amount. Don't want to blind her with the 100watts above so I keep those off until feeding
Also..Steve I got a question. Is it just a myth that my female will stunt her growth from having babies too young? Her parents were both 60ish pounds. Hoping when she is 2 years or so she will get up there. Think she is around 45 - 50 now.
It's not the fact of having a litter that will pose any threat to a females health or development. However, if a female isn't provided the additional nutrients she needs while she's pregnant and nursing it can have some effects on her as well as her puppies. Some breeders won't even put their female on puppy food let alone a good quality food while she is pregnant. A litter can replenish a lot of nutrients from the female. On a good note, your female (hopefully) only had the 2 puppies and wasn't robbed of much nutrients while she carried them. I don't see there being any reason why she would grow and mature to her full potential based on the genetics she was born with.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
She's doin good. Her eyes are all the way open and she is eating more. Foot is drying up. I'm going to get some GNC formula today if I can find it. This other stuff makes her super constipated
Changing the milk can help with that. Just be watchful as the change could upset her tummy and make her loose. Unless you make your own formula the GNC is the best I have used.
Thanks for the heads up Craig. All I could get last time was esbilac. That is kind of like the honda civic of puppy formula. Hope to find gnc in my town or the next one over.
Thing are getting better. Can't want until she eats solid foods so we can make up for lost pounds. It's very exciting to me to see this little pup get old because my babies made this baby. She is going to be extra clownish, high energy, very sweet and be obsessed with giant sticks
Well i searched my town and the following town 20 miles away and all I could find was esbilac. The feed store had universal powder for cats, dogs, horses and Ect. But I'd figure I'd just stay with the esbilac.
She is gaing weight. Slowly but surely. She is 1.31 pounds today
Also took my dogs for a cruise today. It always cracks me up when the majority of people look at my dogs. They have no idea what they are. They always think they are pit mixes and yada yada. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about haha. If they do recognize the breed iit goes as follows: children " it's the dog from toy story". Teens " it's the dog from Friday" middle age "it's spuds" older folk " hey, General Patton had one of those dogs"
People know the look but know the dog. Vets, pet store owners and feed shops are all the same. "Bull terrier?" " you mean a pitbull"
Comments
If you're using the GNC brand formula that I recommended the mix ratio is perfect but you need to ensure it's well stirred and mixed.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Hey look at this picture.....have you ever seen a whelping situation like this?
Unfortunately, I have seen other similar photos like the one you posted of the sire and dam laying together in a kiddy pool with their litter. Definitely an unsafe setting and whelping box for raising a Bull Terrier litter. It might explain why there is only 2 puppies. I suppose many will find it to be a cute photo but to a breeder with experience it would be frowned upon.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
She was. Rey constipated today. Remember that video with the tube feeding English bull dogs? Well he also had an enima video on there. Tried it and it work really well. She has much more energy and she twitches more. Her foot is looking a bit better today too.
Steve when should I up her diet?
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Her foot looks worse and better. The swelling is way down but her toe and nail fell off. I use witch hazel and neo every 4 hours or so.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Just a stay at home dad for the next few weeks
I'm not sure what her foot is going to look like permanently or if it's going to effect her. In a perfect world I'd like to see it healed by the time she's 8 weeks or so. You can see her eyes are starting to open! She's going to think her mom is a 250 pound man with a big beard haha
Don't worry about her missing toe. It will have no affect on her. Just make sure the infection is going away and the foot is healing. It sounds as though it is. As an adult you'll be hard pressed to even notice she's missing a toe and she'll never know she was supposed to have one. Personally I think a dog would miss their sexual organs from neutering or spaying more than a toe, but that's just my opinion.
I'm really happy to hear with each day she is getting better and better. We're all going to be wanting some updated photos soon!
At 2 weeks old (which is coming up) you're going to be in need of worming her. Due to her weight and condition you may want to wait until she is 2 1/2 weeks old. See if your Vet would be nice enough to sell you some "Stongid T. "
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Steve, thanks for everything. With out your guidance I'm sure I would have failed..., she will be two weeks on Thursday. Should I wait until the following Monday for here worming? Maybe longer? And when should Ido her Provo? 6 weeks?
Put some Neosporin or Bag Balm on her foot so it's not so dry and to promote the healing.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Other then that she is gaining weight every day. Pooping and peeing. She is constipated but if I can't get her to poop in 15 mins I do a puppy enema. I've only had to do it twice but it works great.
Her eyes are really starting to peel back and open which is exciting. I really hope she can pull through all of this underweight puppy nonsense and get healthy. When she is eating solid foods And getting back on track I will gain confendence back
Foot swelling has gone down and the remaing dead flesh has gone away. Now I hope it can heal completely. I give her 1ML of liquid amoxicillin every 12 hours. Noon and midnight.
Seeing as how her eyes are über sensitive to light I have been keeping all the lights off in her room except when it's feeding time. Making sure she can sleep, grow and heal.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
I don't see there being any reason why she would grow and mature to her full potential based on the genetics she was born with.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Thing are getting better. Can't want until she eats solid foods so we can make up for lost pounds. It's very exciting to me to see this little pup get old because my babies made this baby. She is going to be extra clownish, high energy, very sweet and be obsessed with giant sticks
She is gaing weight. Slowly but surely. She is 1.31 pounds today
Also took my dogs for a cruise today. It always cracks me up when the majority of people look at my dogs. They have no idea what they are. They always think they are pit mixes and yada yada. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about haha. If they do recognize the breed iit goes as follows: children " it's the dog from toy story". Teens " it's the dog from Friday" middle age "it's spuds" older folk " hey, General Patton had one of those dogs"
People know the look but know the dog. Vets, pet store owners and feed shops are all the same. "Bull terrier?" " you mean a pitbull"