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Date Posted: Sunday, August 08, 09:21:16pm
Author: Beverly
Subject: If the pup is eating well, I would drop the subq fluids, and ....
In reply to: mark 's message, "sick?" on Sunday, August 08, 02:44:03pm

(If the pup is eating well, I would drop the subq fluids, and ...) would try to get more than just 1 cc into the pup, per feeding. I always fed to the point of refusal. If the pup stirs at all, I would offer him some Pedialyte, in a jar lid or on a spoon, as well as the formula. (Indeed, I'd mix the formula with the Pedialyte) Keep in mind that momma does not leave the nest much, when she has pups, so any time they want to snuggle up for a drink, they can.

IMHO, heating pads are not an especially good idea, for a flyer that already has fur, and is open eyed. They provide a very dry heat. Unless the flyer is in the Arctic or Antarctic, then heat in August is not likely to be necessary, even for a solo pup. A nest box with plenty of bedding (100% cotton balls) and a place out of drafts should be adequate for warmth.

I would not be doing subq fluids, if the flyer is eating and drinking well. It's possible to cause the pup to have more fluid in his body than he can balance. If he is passing urine, then it's unlikely he's dehydrated. Flyer pups do have loose skin - perhaps what you think is dehydration is just the normal folds of the skin, especially as you say the pup is taking formula. If his stool is normal, then I'd stop the subq. I'd also put some pine nuts, and some small pieces of pecan, in his quarters, to gnaw on. Babies of 5 weeks often will chew on soft nuts, and will also chew on grapes (many folks peel the grapes - I just quarter them, myself ...) and blueberries, or pieces of pear or apple.

Personally, I prefer to carry a pup inside my shirt, for warmth, as well as for heartbeat. If you can, that's what I recommend you do. IMHO, if you cover the nest box at night, and it's well bedded, the flyer is not likely to get too chilled, unless you keep your home especially cool, in the summer. If so, try to keep him in the warmest room, but I still would not use a heating pad.




>My fs is about 4 mabey 5 weeks old and I feed him
>every 2 to3 hours when he requests food. He eats well
>about 3/4 to 1cc at a time and urinates very well
>always. He also deficates a good amount as well. But
>he seems to be dehydrated all the time. To the point I
>need to give him subqutaneous fluids. Why is he having
>such a hard time holding fluids? Is he not recieving
>enough food? He also seems to over heat when I have
>the heating pad on so, I turn it off then he gets
>cold. Should I leave it on anyway? Its about 75
>degrees in the room I have him in now.

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[> Re: sick? -- Sandy, Monday, August 09, 09:35:40am

>My fs is about 4 mabey 5 weeks old and I feed him
>every 2 to3 hours when he requests food.

I would cut the feedings back to 4 times a day and try to get more formula in him at one time as Bev suggests. Mine will usually eat at least 4 cc at a time and usually more. They need to digest the formula and eliminate in between feedings.

He eats well about 3/4 to 1cc at a time and urinates very well always. He also deficates a good amount as well. But
>he seems to be dehydrated all the time. To the point I
>need to give him subqutaneous fluids. Why is he having
>such a hard time holding fluids? Is he not recieving
>enough food? He also seems to over heat when I have
>the heating pad on so, I turn it off then he gets
>cold. Should I leave it on anyway? Its about 75
>degrees in the room I have him in now.

He needs to be kept at 85 - 90 degrees body heat to properly digest the formula. I've gotten away from heating pads and started using the lowest wattage terrerium heaters they make under 1/2 the cage with padding between the heater and flyer . But my weaning process includes carrying the pups with me or my husband up to 16 hours a day so they are only in the cage about 8 hours a day. Also, we keep our home cool in the summer, so I like to add the additional heat source for this reason.

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