OTHER FORMULA OPTIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING ORPHANED PUPPIES

Last week, we advised on the composition of a formula that could be used by caregivers whenever a crisis situation presents itself and new-born puppies are deprived of their mother’s milk. The formula has been successfully used by my clients over the years.
There are other formulae which have also been used successfully, and we shall provide two other options for your consideration today.
Option #1
Emergency home-formulated milk replacer
• 240 ml cow’s milk
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) corn oil
• Small pinch of salt
• 1 drop of high-quality oral multivitamin solution
Blend ingredients uniformly, and warm to 95-100°F. Refrigerate between use. Discard any unused concoction 24 hours after mixing.
SOURCE: Neonatal and paediatric care of the puppy and kitten- documented by Dr. D. F. Lawlen in “Thierogenology” vol 70, no.3, 2008
Option #2
Homemade milk replacer for puppies
• 120 ml cow’s or goat’s milk
• 120 ml water
• 2-4 egg yolks
• 1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil (e.g., corn oil)
• 1000 mg calcium carbonate (e.g., “Tums”, which is readily available in any drug store- used as an antacid)
Blend ingredients uniformly, and warm to 95-100°F. Refrigerate between use. Discard any unused concoction 24 hours after mixing.
SOURE: Care of the orphaned puppy or kitten – documented by Dr. M.E. Peterson in ” Small Animal Paediatrics: The first 12 months of life” 2011.

You would have noted that the ingredient compositions of these two formulae, as well as the one provided last week, are quite similar. They aim to provide the nutritive requirements of the orphaned puppies in as close a value to that of their mother’s milk. If you have any doubts or questions needing clarification, please contact your veterinarian.
METHODS OF FEEDING MILK REPLACERS TO PUPPIES:
1. New-born pups may be fed via droppers (e.g., the ones that humans use to administer medication to the eyes or nostrils). One has to be very careful when using the dropper, because, too often, the pup can choke, a condition which can result in the formula going into the lungs. It is especially for this reason that using a spoon to feed the (especially new-born) pup is not advisable.

2. A baby bottle with a small, soft nipple may also be used. I favour this method because the pup can actually perform the natural suckling reflex. The caregiver may have to enlarge the hole in the nipple. However, be careful and ensure that too much of the liquid formula does not emerge from the nursing bottle via the nipple, as this, too, may cause the puppy to choke.
Caregivers have also used a doll’s bottle with soft nipple for particularly small puppies.
Whether feeding via a dropper or bottle, please ensure that the pup is placed on its stomach, and the nipple is inserted firmly into its mouth to initiate the suckling action. It is a slow learning process that requires your observation of the swallowing action and continuous. The major issue is preventing the milk from entering the puppy’s lungs. Every 20 seconds or so, pull the nursing bottle a bit away from the mouth, and observe the pup’s behaviour.
3. Feeding an orphaned pup via the insertion of a tube into its stomach is the best way to feed the new-born pup. However, it takes some skill and courage. You can nevertheless easily learn the technique, and become quite proficient in a short time. It is the method of choice, especially if the pup is too weak to suckle. Your vet would teach you the technique. It is not difficult, and the caregiver does not have to fear that the tube would enter the lungs, as the diameter of the windpipe is so small and the tube will glide smoothly into the stomach. Within a week, the puppy fed through this method would become strong enough to suckle from the bottle.
If you do not have a thermometer to measure the temperature of the formula, place a few drops on the back of your hand; if you can easily tolerate the warmth, then that is the right temperature (about 100°F). Please make every effort to provide fresh and warm formula that is consistent with mother’s milk.