[Dog crazy 2021]

yes my question is on English bulldog puppies breaders. Is it good for them to tube feed baby puppies after they are born even when mom is nursing fine.

 

[Deacon.dog]

Where are you located? We can help you find a reputable breeder.

I see no reason to tube feed puppies when the mom is nursing fine.

 

[DaySleepers]

Hi! Moved your thread for you so more people can find it.

I'd find it very odd for a breeder to supplement babies with formula if they're feeding fine and mama is producing enough food. Especially if they're tube feeding, which is usually reserved for very ill babies who physically cannot nurse because they're too weak or have a deformity like a cleft palate. Are you sure it's tube feeding (putting a food tube down the baby's esophagus) and not bottle feeding? Have you asked the breeder why they're doing this?

 

[LeoRose]

If the bitch has a good milk supply and the pups don't have a physical problem that makes nursing difficult, then the breeder shouldn't be needing to supplement. The exception would be a really big litter, in which case, tube feeding is faster and easier than bottle feeding, as long as you know what you are doing.

 

[DaySleepers]

If the bitch has a good milk supply and the pups don't have a physical problem that makes nursing difficult, then the breeder shouldn't be needing to supplement unless it's a really big litter, in which case, tube feeding is faster and easier than bottle feeding, as long as you know what you are doing.

Ah, I didn't know that! I've mostly read about tube feeding in crisis cases and wild animal rehab, didn't realize it was commonly done with experienced breeders.

 

[LeoRose]

Ah, I didn't know that! I've mostly read about tube feeding in crisis cases and wild animal rehab, didn't realize it was commonly done with experienced breeders.

I wouldn't say it's common, but yes, you can tube feed several puppies in the time it takes to bottle feed one.

 

[storyist]

If you aren't expert - and probably sometimes when you are - you run the risk of causing aspiration of the formula. It's hard to imagine anyone does it if it's not really necessary.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

If you aren't expert - and probably sometimes when you are - you run the risk of causing aspiration of the formula. It's hard to imagine anyone does it if it's not really necessary.

I have with both kittens and calves. In the case of kittens it was due to Mother being gone (orphans). Tube feeding was so much more expedient but you do have to be careful of aspiration. I never tube fed kittens if they had a queen to nurse from.

In the case of calves these were dairy calves that are hand reared and the tube feeding was to insure they got colostrum (if they did not stand and nurse which was better) or if they were too weak to nurse/drink from a pail. I also used the tube feeder to deliver electrolytes if the calf got scours.