Day 3 – Puppycam and Early Neurological Stimulation!

The puppycam is online! It will be on periodically. You can see at the left hand side that there’s a remote temperature sensor so I can keep an eye on how warm it is in the box. There is also a heating pad under the bedding in that corner. Puppies who are at a comfortable temperature will be in a loose pile. If they’re crammed together they’re cold, and if they’re really spread out they’re hot. Even with Nina’s first litter, born in January, I found they rarely if ever used the supplemental heating. They’re tough! And as my friend Kim who breeds Border Collies says “that’s what mom’s for”. Cold stress in the first few days can be very harmful, so I like to be cautious, but they seem to only spend a short amount of time on the heating pad even now.

You will see Zhora panting when she’s nursing them. That’s not because she’s hot, it’s because nursing causes the uterus to contract (which helps it return to normal size, stop any bleeding, and expel any remaining ick in there), which causes panting.

Today is day 3, so we started Early Neurological Stimulation for everyone except Popcorn (she’s got enough stress going on that it seems unwise and not beneficial to her just yet). We do this from day 3-16 once daily, in addition to the other regular handling they get.

Popcorn lost a little overnight but gained it back and then some after feeding. She is looking plumper more of the time, still teeny, but better than she was, her belly is rounder. She’s active and feisty, and I really really hope she can get ahead of her rough start soon. You will see us periodically move her to a nipple on Zhora. All the others are big and strong enough to get where they want and I want them to push each other around and compete for nursing spots, this is important for their development, and while I am letting Popcorn have to push back and fend for herself somewhat, it’s also vitally important that she get all the nursing time she can while expending as little effort as possible. So while I try to interfere as little as possible, I definitely am moving her to the choice nipples and moving the other fat puppies away sometimes. I will continue to top her up with tube feedings. I want her to have every chance.

All the rest are big fat beanbags gaining weight fast! Zhora’s milk is excellent. I think three or even four might actually be red (the first born big girl seems to be grey). But we will have to wait and see since puppy coats in Vallhunds can be deceiving. The two biggest are over 300 grams already!

They did great overnight! I actually got some sleep! Zhora has figured out how to arrange them as she wants them, and how to curl herself around them. She is very attentive to them and is being an amazing mother. Today I watched her delicately pull a bit of poop out of a puppy’s bum with her front teeth after licking wasn’t quite getting it out to her satisfaction. We humans don’t know how lucky we are….

Now that the puppycam is up, you will see that they twitch and jump like jumping beans when they’re sleeping. This is called “activated sleep” and it helps their muscles and neurological system develop.

Zhora’s stomach troubles seem to be getting better, touch wood. No vomiting and the diarrhea is improving.

One Response to “Day 3 – Puppycam and Early Neurological Stimulation!”

  1. Stephanie Says:

    Awwwwe. I love hearing about her motherly instincts. So hype for this puppy cam now too!

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