Hi, As some of you know, I am to get my puppy in October. I was talking to my friend today who is giving me the puppy, and she is concerned for them. They are growing, playful and apparently healthy 5 week old puppies, but they are not taking to food well. She started them on pablum and they will eat it, but only if she gives it to them on a spoon. If she leaves a little bowl for them, they do not go for it. The mom is nursing less and less, but a weird thing is going on. One of her other female dogs (not fixed) has been going in the box when the mom is gone and trying to nurse the puppies. I think she may have started lactating and she is nursing the pups when the mom is not, so they are not hungry enough for food. I read that if an un-neutered female has her nipples stimulated, she can lactate. Does anyone know anything about this? What should my friend do? She is going to the vet as soon as the Labor Day weekend is over and she is going to take this other female with her to see if she is lactating. I am just concerned for the pups that they don't want to eat, especially in light of poor poor Rowan (Still cannot stop thinking about that). Any ideas or suggestions? I imagine my friend should try to keep the pups separate from the shorkie trying to feed them, so they will be hungry. Anyway, happy to hear any suggestions.
