Blue Crush

Ah Green Boy - showing off his crowd surfing - they grow up so fast. (sniff)

The puppy who was the largest at birth is now the smallest. I've been supplementing Blue Boy for the past few feedings as he's not plumping up like his siblings; he had a rough start and the anesthetic could account for some lethargy and a slower uptake. It never hurts to give them a bit of a boost especially since some of the puppies are up over 20 ounces now. It doesn't seem like a lot but it makes a big difference when you're that small.

Puppies, well, most newborn critters, tend to lose for the first couple days, gain it back slowly at first and then an ever increasing rate. If a puppy is not gaining after the third day, or has lost significantly in the first couple then it's time to intervene. It is so important to weigh them daily especially if they are looking ribby ... a puppy that tiny loses so fast.

As long as they stay active and squirming you know they are doing alright but a slipperly slope is made much more slippery when your life is so brand new. Puppies have so little to draw on in reserves, they cannot maintain their body temperature on their own, they need to be fed at regular intervals and they are extremely delicate.

This is Maroon giving a "high 5" in agreement. However, they are also incredibly reslilient and given half a chance they bounce back fast if they have slipped a little. A fading puppy is every breeders nightmare and often there is no rhyme or reason to it but if you catch a fader early, know what to do and act on it you can save your future Best in Show dog or someone's devoted companion.

That said ... look at how much bigger they are. For now I'm keeping a close eye on Blue Boy and watching everyone else for signs of decline but Halo, despite the noxious gas that you'd think would be the puppy's biggest threat, is doing a very fine job.