Gyps, milk and weaning pups

[BobbyB]

I have three gyps with pups right now. Two Brittanys and a BMC.

The Brittanys have had litters before. Covey had 10 and milked like a Jersey until about 5 weeks when she got tired of all those little teeth and had enough. Those pups had been on solid food for 2 weeks and never looked back.

Bonnie is a good milker and it seems she has a very rich milk. her pups are always normal sized at birth, but get as big as pigs within a week or so and stay that way until they are weaned and then they grow at a normal pace. I usually take Bonnies pups from her because she was still nursing at 7 weeks the last bunch.

Petra was giving plenty of milk for 10 pups, but at 3 weeks ( last week ), she started snapping them off or not getting in with them. I took the divider out so she had to be with them and that worked until last night. I guess she has had enough because she tore down the light, unplugged and chewed up the AC cord ( I thought that was up and safe )and just wrecked her stall in general.

These pups eat good to so I am not worried, I would have just preferred they could have got a little momma's milk til 5 weeks.

But on the subject of momma's milk, I had  BMC gyp when I still lived in Wharton that had a litter and those pups started dieing off one and 2 at a time after the 2bd day. When I had one left, I took that pup and put in with a litter of Beagles I had and that pup took off and did great. The BMC gyp was giving plenty of milk, but I still dont know if it was poison to the pups some way or it didnt have what milk is supposed to have or what. I just know about 6 or 7 pups died and the last grew out fine on that beagle. She was weak when I first put her there, but after a day or so, she was all business.

[ric.o]

I have heard of people giving the momma dog deximethadone to help with milk production. its worth a try. but its hard to get. also is used fro snake bits.

[ironheadknls21]

Bobby if the pups are eating they'll do fine....I had a gyp about 15yrs ago that would wean her pups around 4 wks...She put me in the habit of trying to start the pups around 2 1/2 -3 wks of trying to eat...it makes it alot easier if it does happen....Good luck i'm sure they'll be fine, from the looks of your post you are not lacking in any care of your dogs.......

[BobbyB]

Bobby if the pups are eating they'll do fine....I had a gyp about 15yrs ago that would wean her pups around 4 wks...She put me in the habit of trying to start the pups around 2 1/2 -3 wks of trying to eat...it makes it alot easier if it does happen....Good luck i'm sure they'll be fine, from the looks of your post you are not lacking in any care of your dogs.......

I have always started feeding my pups food soaked in formula run thru a blender as soon as their eyes open. These have been eating for 2 weeks. I just like for them to get some milk as long as possible to keep that bloom on em. Did the same when I was raising pen of 3 show steers. Those dry lot calves didnt have a chance for over all Grand Champion.

[noelle]

Some gyps are just not good brood gyps, if they are out of the heat and your givin her plenty of food then I'd say she's just not a good momma dog, all dogs aren't. I give my gyps about 3/4 cc of ivomec injected a few days before they drop and they have nice healthy pups and plenty milk, I start Gettin them on food by 2wks old usually anyway and give the bitch dog a break so they don't draw her down too bad but if she's Runnin outta milk feed her sum table scraps, if she just won't let em nurse she just mite not like Bein a momma

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

Bobby, I run in to this and the problem is often sore teats from aggressive pups. I start pulling the female out of the puppy pen twice a day for several hours. You can also clean and put some anti-biotic cream on their teats, makes a big difference. By 4-5 weeks my females are only in with the pups twice a day and that gets cut down to once a day by 6 weeks.

If the pups are not eating as much or as aggressively as I like I add a tin of sardines to their milk re-placer puppy food mix, that does the trick every time.

Hope that helps or gives you a new idea. I have some like that right now myself.

[BobbyB]

Petra has the milk, but I would imagine 10 sets of needle teeth are wearing on her pretty bad. I mean that is 40 little teeth pinching at her.

As far as being a momma, she has been good , especially for a first timer. The pups are 4 weeks and 3 days old. She still wanst in with the pups, she just dont want to have to stay very long.

[BobbyB]

Bobby, I run in to this and the problem is often sore teats from aggressive pups. I start pulling the female out of the puppy pen twice a day for several hours. You can also clean and put some anti-biotic cream on their teats, makes a big difference. By 4-5 weeks my females are only in with the pups twice a day and that gets cut down to once a day by 6 weeks.

If the pups are not eating as much or as aggressively as I like I add a tin of sardines to their milk re-placer puppy food mix, that does the trick every time.

Hope that helps or gives you a new idea. I have some like that right now myself.

Paul, the pups clean up everything I give them when feed. And like I said, I am sure it is sore teats. They are big enough that I am goiung to just let her in for a short time 2-3 times a day. If she keeps snapping them off, we'll just call it good.