Saturday, June 14, 2008

Bottle Feeding Orphan Shih Tzu Puppies

Title: Bottle Feeding Orphan Shih Tzu Puppies
Author: Connie Limon

Nursing bottles for orphaned Shih Tzu puppies can be obtained
through the veterinarian, pet supplier, wholesale catalogs or
the internet. You should purchase several nipple styles to see
which works best for you and your Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu puppies can become colicky just like human newborn
babies. Be careful about allowing a Shih Tzu puppy to ingest air
when either tube or bottle feeding. Always turn the bottle and
nipple end down, before offering it to the Shih Tzu puppy. All
the air in the bottle will rise to the solid end. When the Shih
Tzu puppy is nursing freely bubbles rise in the bottle. The
bubble flow should be fairly rapid, small and uniform in size,
rising in even response to the Shih Tzu puppy's nursing. If the
bubbles are large the Shih Tzu puppy may also be ingesting air.
Check the nipple cap.

Occasionally remove the bottle from the Shih Tzu puppy's mouth
to allow a return passage of air back into the bottle. A return
passage of air occurs either through turning the bottle upright
or by momentarily loosening the cap. Do not abruptly pull the
bottle from the Shih Tzu puppy's mouth. Place a finger in the
corner of the Shih Tzu puppy's lip to break the nursing hold.

Some Shih Tzu puppies may instinctively resist the unnatural
feel of a manufactured nipple.

1. If the dam is available, rub the bottle and nipple and a
towel over her mammaries.

2. Drape this towel across your stomach and lap.

3. Hold the puppy on your lap against your abdomen.

4. Express a small amount of formula from the bottle and wipe
it over the nipple.

5. As you introduce the bottle's nipple to the Shih Tzu puppy's
mouth, move your legs slightly, jiggling your lap.

6. Also jiggle the bottle up and down in the puppy's mouth
using tiny motions. The movements re-create the dam's breathing
and Shih Tzu puppy's nursing position on the dam that should
cause the Shih Tzu puppy to instinctively and reflexively latch
onto the nipple.

7. Have lots of patience.

You will need to burp the bottle fed Shih Tzu puppy after each
feeding. Do not allow the Shih Tzu puppy to nurse the bottle dry
to avoid a colicky baby. You can burp your Shih Tzu puppy the
same as you would a newborn human baby on your shoulder with
gentle pats and rubs between the shoulder blades.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

About The Author: Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She
publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and
wellness for you and your pets. Designer pet clothing is
available on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers.
Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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