Diagnosis for Lyric's tiny puppy

[Ginny Nightingale]

Well, unfortunately, it is not good news. I brought my little "squirt" to my vet today and we found a sizeable cleft palate. But she is still very active and healthy-looking despite a lack of weight gain, so we decided to look into some solutions rather than just euthanizing her. One of the vet techs there raises kittens and has saved several squirrels using tube feeding and was very anxious to take "Squirt" on for a few days to see if she could get her weight up. (For free! I have such nice friends around here!) If she improves, we will cross the next bridge of teaching me how to tube feed. She has a special nipple that may help also and if that works, i don't have to use the tube.

There is a surgical specialist nearby that the vet called today about repairing the palate at the age of three months, and his charge was not so crazy that it isn't worth doing. So, I may have a very busy three months keeping this puppy healthy until the surgery can be done.  I'm up for it though! She has impressed me with her spunk! If she makes it past this weekend and is growing, we will give it a shot--I can take her up to the surgeon for evaluation in a few weeks. 

My daughter, who will be a vet in a few months, used to run a sheep farm and saved several very tiny lambs by bottle feeding them herself. All four made it to adulthood (she kept them and took them to vet school with her) and they turned out to be lovely sheep and all have since had babies of their own. So, there is hope!

The rest of the puppies are so fat and happy! The milk came in today and they are very satisfied. Lyric feels great and is romping around the yard during her "breaks"--she got a nice warm shower today and feels like a new bitch! LOL! I will post new pictures as soon as i can find my camera. I seem to have misplaced it---hmmmm, maybe I need more sleep.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I am so sorry Ginny for the sadness you are feeling about little Squirt.  This has been one heck of a week on DK with Squirt, Fudge and Little Rooney.  I have had tears in my eyes quite a few times.  Right now is the hardest though because the battle is being lost.  You did the best you could for her and like you said...the little baby boys need you...Lyric too!  Hugs and kisses to you and pats to all the furry ones.

[Dori & Rua]

My heart is breaking...but, all things happen for a reason.  Squirt is making an impact on all of us.  She is and has touched us all.  Give her a little kiss from Rua and me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am very sorry, but not surprised, to hear this news. You did everything you could and some pups just can't be pulled through.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I am afraid that there is more bad news for little Squirt--after trying everything including round-the-clock tube feeding which my vet had to teach me how to do, Squirt still remains at her birth weight. Obviously, she has other issues that are preventing her from getting nutrients. Tonight, she is slipping away but I intend to care for her until the end. If she is still with us in the morning, I will take her over to my vet to euthanize her. As sad as this makes me, I know I did all I could and must move on. I have all those adorable boy puppies to enjoy and haven't been able to because I have either been feeding Squirt or worrying about her. So, tomorrow is a new day. She would have been a beauty with a dark spot over one eye against her creamy colored hair, but it is not to be. Thanks to all of you for you help, support and prayers. I found it very helpful to know I had my friends at DK behind me.
If you look at my page, you will see a final tribute to Squirt---she was often curled up with her brother who had the same coloring. I call him "the Sugar Donut" and she looks like the "hole"! Goodnight everyone.

[Lynn D.]

Anything new to report?

Just hoping for the best for little Squirt.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Hoping that squirt gains weight and all goes well!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I would imagine little Squirt was a bit dehydrated if she couldn't get enough suction to get adequate nutrition finitially. Wouldn't she need some time to rehydrate before she started gaining appreciable weight?  I am so hoping she starts plumping up.  My breeder bottle fed one of her tiny puppies for weeks and it didn't have a cleft palate.  My fingers are crossed for little Squirt.  Please give us updates.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lovely chubby boys.

[Candy & Hudson]

They are all so perfect and so chubby!! Sending positive thoughts to squirt :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am keeping my fingers crossed that Squirt gains weight. The puppies are adorable.