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ORPHAN PUPPY AND KITTEN CARE
1. Keep the pet warm.
(a) Avoid drafts.
(b) Use heating pad in box on LOW heat.
1. Cover pad with waterproof material (plastic).
2. Line box with disposable diapers or newspaper.
3. Heating pad should only cover 1/2 of bottom of box.
(a) Let rest of heating pad go up side of box.
(b) This allows pup to get off heating pad if gets too hot.
(c) Ideal Temperatures:
Birth to 5 Days _________ 85-90 Degrees
5-20 Days _________________ 80 Degrees
20-34 Days_________________ 75 Degrees
2. Nutrition:
(a) Use puppy formula ONLY - milk or human baby formula
which causes diarrhea.
(b) Introduce formula changes SLOWLY.
(c) Feed at 100 degrees (body temperature).
(d) Discard reconstituted formula after 24 hours.
(e) Feed 2 tablespoons/4 oz. body weight. (15% of body wt. Divided into
4-6 meals)
(f) Feed every 3-4 hours for one week, then every 6 hours.
(g) Whining or crying USUALLY indicates hunger.
(h) Test the feeding bottle for proper flow rate. Do NOT SQUEEZE
the bottle.
(i) Begin feeding in a saucer as soon as eyes are open. (Usually about
two weeks of age.)
1. Dip muzzle and tongue in saucer.
2. Put finger in side of mouth to encourage sucking.
(j) Begin mixing formula with Gerber High Protein Baby Cereal at 3 - 4
weeks of age. After one week gradually switch the cereal to a high quality
puppy food.
(k) Slowly begin to substitute water for the puppy formula at four weeks
of age.
(l) Any time diarrhea should develop, dilute the food 50 % with water
and call the clinic for instructions.
3. Sanitation:
(a) Keep area clean! This is MOST IMPORTANT for good health!
(b) Rub rectum and abdomen with cotton moistened with warm water after
each feeding to stimulate bowel functions.
4. DO NOT DISTURB except for feeding and cleaning!
5. TWITCHING is NORMAL during sleep - this exercises the muscles to
aid growth.
6. Bring pups/kittens to clinic at four weeks of age for examination
and deworming.
7. Substitute high quality kitten food for kittens when switching
off Gerber High Protein Baby Cereal.
8. A Crying Puppy is either a COLD puppy or a HUNGRY puppy!
Emergency Milk Replacers: (Only until can come pick up our commercial
formula)
A. 8 ounces of 4% milk + one egg yolk
B. 2/3 cup 4% milk + 3 egg yolks + 1 tablespoon corn oil + liquid vitamin
+ pinch of salt
Initial Feeding Volume: 15% of the puppy's weight divided into 4-6
meals
Puppies should be fed 4X / day when weaned.
C. ORPHANED KITTEN FORMULA:
½ cup 4% milk + 1 Egg Yolk + 1 drop infant vitamins + 3 Tums
(Tums is an excellent source of calcium.)
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