3 week old orphaned mastiff mix

[BAMCB]

We recently adopted a 3 week old orphaned mastiff/st. bernard mix. The mother rejected the babies, the owner dropped them in foster care, who quickly became overwhelmed. We were told he was 4 weeks old, but our vet confirmed our suspicion that he was only 2-3 weeks. He has been in our care for almost a week and is looking healthier. He has been dewormed and currently weighs 2 lbs 12 oz. He was 2 lbs 1 oz 4 days ago. We have been bottle feeding him and are slowly introducing puppy gruel, which he loves. Our question is, how do we determine how much gruel (TOTW High Prairie puppy) and milk replacer should he get? We started by following the instructions on the milk replacer for his bottles. After seeing the vet, we cut back on the amount of milk replacer and added in a ping pong ball sized portion of gruel 3-4 times a day. After eating the gruel, he takes about 2 ounces from the bottle. He also gets 4 ounces from the bottle (no gruel) twice per day. He still seems ravenous after each feeding though we've read that this is normal, and we should not overfeed him. Our question is, how do we know he is getting enough nutrition? We understand large breeds have specific needs and have read that 4-8 weeks is a crucial growth period. We are concerned with him being so small and whether we are feeding him enough. The bag of kibble says 3-5 lb puppies, 6-12 weeks, get 1-1 1/3 cups/day. He is almost 3 lbs, not 6 weeks though, and that seems like a LOT for a 3 lb puppy. Does anyone have experience with this type of situation? Any advice would be appreciated.

We are also wondering what are appropriate play toys? He spends a lot of time sleeping, but when he is awake, if he is not exploring he is chewing on us or other inappropriate objects. If you've made it this far we truly appreciate it!
First picture is 5 days ago. Second and third pictures are from today.

 

[DDSK]

Oh my gosh what a daunting task.
I might go on the breeders section of this forum and look for some info and help.

 

[angelbears]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice. The forum has been a little slow lately but someone should pop in and have some tips. I did want to thank you for taking own this little guy!

 

[DennasMom]

What a cutie!
I'm no real help either... other than I agree, underfed is better than overfed. I think puppies are much more resilient than given credit for sometimes.
I thought gruel wasn't introduced until 4 weeks of age... but hey, if the pup will try it, why not?
I would put down more than he can eat, and let him consume at will for 15-20 minutes 4 times a day... see if that works as a starting point?

Do you have a good vet you could talk to?
Maybe find a breeder in your area that can give you some hands-on help?

I would recommend that once the puppy is old enough for some initial vaccinations and venturing into the "wild", that you join a puppy play group - with him being an only child, you will bear the brunt of his explorations with puppy teeth and nails. Make liberal use of "yipe" (like a fellow puppy) and be sure to reward any hesitation or backing away when you do "yipe" (like a nice 'thank you' or providing a toy to chew on instead). Maybe get a good glove (or hand puppet), so you can 'wrestle' with him, and then when he bites too hard on the glove, give a 'yipe' and stop play (just freeze for a few seconds) - so you can be that littermate for him, and give feedback that he can understand.

I'd provide all sorts of toys - plushies, ropes, kongs, busy-buddies, tuffy's - take a stroll down the toy aisle at the pet shop, and I'm sure you'll find more options than will fit in your basket.

Thank you for taking him in! It sounds like he's going to be a handful for a bit now, but I'm sure the rewards will be well worth it.
Can't wait to hear more about this little guy's adventures!

 

[BAMCB]

Thank you everyone for your responses. We would like to say that he has been an absolute joy to have! Not anymore daunting, comparatively speaking, than our teens and toddler Haha!

We saw the vet yesterday for a recheck and second dose of dewormer. He is a whopping 3lbs 7oz! And looking quite healthy so much that we decided to go ahead and give him his first round of vax. We are keeping on track with the puppy gruel and bottle feedings, with the addition of water for him to try, though she would like to see him wean off the bottle over the next 2 weeks(we are thinking he is 4 weeks, give or take a couple days). Still no outside contact(people or animals) until after his 2nd booster vax. It has been very difficult to explain to family and friends why they cannot see him quite yet! So that is on the health front.

A huge concern(for me at least, I have a fear of worms!) are the adult roundworms that are now presenting in his stools. Absolutely freak me out! DH is not fazed and dealt with them last night but I am home with him all day. They appear to be dead, and we have only seen 2 over the last week with it happening after his second dose. How long should we expect to see them? I did not ask the vet because we had not seen any until last night, after clinic hours. Lord I hope you say no more but......at least we know the med is working, I guess.


As far as the toys/socializing aspect you all have great suggestions! We have found a couple chew toys made in the USA but it is proving to be difficult to find much. Everything was from China! We have chosen to not give him any type of chew toy/bone/treats from China but what is the consensus for stuffed toys, balls, squeakers etc? Does anyone have a brand they can suggest with quality toys made from somewhere other than China?


And lastly, does anyone know when it will be possible to tell his breeds and size? We would like to believe he is a Mastiff/St. Bernard because that is what we were told, but not having seen the parents we are still curious. We will adore him no matter what, he has already stole our hearts<3

His personality is really starting to show as he is up and moving, playing and enjoying the time outside his pen. As for a name the oldest son has suggested Beast, but the 3 year old likes Sunshine. I kinda like Sonny for short but not everyone is on board at this time. We shall see.

Please keep any and all suggestions coming, we appreciate all the information/experience we can get! More pics and updates to come as we make this journey. We are so happy to have found this forum

 

[glen]

keep up the hard work,we got Gandalf at 4 weeks it was scarey but hes now nearly 7 months,our other dog was a great help.gandalf loved teddies and I used to put empty plastic bottles in old socks,it was the teddies he loved the best the cat he had he cuddled every night hes still got it and plays every day with it.good luck.keep the pics coming.

 

[BAMCB]

He is 5 lbs now and potties outside!! Was not the plan to let him outdoors for another week or two but he will cry to get out of his large pen(which has a potty section) to potty somewhere else(the house!). So might as well teach him outside instead lol thanks for the water bottle in a sock idea, he loves it! And also the baby rattle. His personality is really starting to blossom and it's a joy to see. The toddler named him Sunshine and is quite adamant about it. So Sunshine(Sonny) it will be.

 

[Ginurse]

He is 5 lbs now and potties outside!! Was not the plan to let him outdoors for another week or two but he will cry to get out of his large pen(which has a potty section) to potty somewhere else(the house!). So might as well teach him outside instead lol thanks for the water bottle in a sock idea, he loves it! And also the baby rattle. His personality is really starting to blossom and it's a joy to see. The toddler named him Sunshine and is quite adamant about it. So Sunshine(Sonny) it will be.

It sounds like you are doing wonderful things for this pup. Can you post more pics? Sonny is just too darned cute.

 

[Caztratt]

Wow. This is a fantastic post!! Well done on what you've achieved. Sonny is adorable. Can't wait to hear more and see more pics


Carol

 

[BAMCB]

Anyone have any suggestions as to whether he truly is an EM mix? Hard to tell now, I know. He is a cutie though

 

[Ginurse]

Oh that face and those big beautiful eyes...I just got a flash of puppy fever.

I think he is too young to really tell at this point (breed) but he sure has big paws for a three week old.

 

[Jakesmum]

What a sweet little boy! I sure admire you for taking on the challenge of raising him. I am really bad at determining breeds, but I agree with Ginurse, he has very big paws for such a little baby!

 

[TricAP]

Total puppy love ! What a cutie pie - sorry no guess on mix other than adorable!

Toy suggestions - braid strips of old jeans or fleece pants into chew toys. Tie secure knots in the ends. Our Angus still has a couple of the original ones we made him at 8 weeks to save our fingers and toes (he is now almost 10 months old.) Racket balls are good too - much less expensive than Kong brand and hold up better to sharp puppy teeth.

 

[BAMCB]

Sonny is growing in so many ways! At 5 weeks he was about 5lbs, at 6 weeks 6lbs and at 7 weeks he weighed in at 8lbs 14oz. We swear he grows a bit more every time we see him(even if it's only been a few hours!). And his little legs are more like stumps. He is mostly potty trained with accidents becoming very rare. And he is very laid back already, though he and Ava(our rat terrier/toy poodle mix) love to romp around. She still has the upper hand with her agility but it almost seems as if he already knows his size and takes no advantage of it. Really a joy to have in our home Though I have no personal experience with St. Bernard's, I definitely can see the EM personality showing through. Gentle, loving and laid back. He already loves to sit at the back door or outside, almost keeping a watch. He is still a puppy so many naps happen during his patrol hahaha

 

[BAMCB]

 

[glen]

He looks great, well done for doing a brilliant job.

 

[Penny1960]

How Beatifull love him.

 

[Max's mom]

what delight on that little boy's face! Too cute. They'll be best of friends!

 

[Zoey214]

Just too sweet

 

[BAMCB]