[donnabully]

Could anyone give me any info on what 2 do? I have 7 3 week old american bullys, all of them are huge active pups,they are even pinching mums food! The last few days mum has been really dwn and low energy, I suspected mastitis and took her 2 vets today and I was ryt, vet said 2 separate mum and pups and DO NOT LET THEM FEED AT ALL wean them as soon as I get home. By the time I got home shops were shut and all I could get was goats milk and puppy food mixed them together and they ate the lot So I think they would do OK without her. Now mum is going mad 2 get to them and feed and pups are screaming for her I feel so guilty! Her teets have filled ryt up, its only 1 teet that is hard and hot 2 touch and I thought the pups helped drain them but vet said I was wrong.I cnt shut her up and cnt lock her outside its 3am and She's even woke up the kids bless, she has antibiotics and pain relief, can I not let them feed but, cover the nipple that is hard and painful while they feed a little or should I do as vet says? How can I separate them all together? Pups are guna try feed when they see her and same for her, don't pups need 2 learn from mum? And she's going mad 2 get in room with them! Screaming, barking, scratching and chewing. Hate taking away her baby's, or will it kill the pups or her if they keep feeding and I cover the infected 1 HELP ME PLEASE!

[Aurora_Bell]

First off please refrain from the chat speak, it makes your post hard to read.

I would never advise to go against your vet, but if you don't like is advice than seek a second opinion.

Most pups wean naturally at 3 1/5 -4 weeks, when it is rushed it can some times lead to more stress on mom and even lead to painful nipples and mastitis. I would keep an eye out for this as you already said there looks to be some swelling with one nipple already.

You can make a home made puppy mush by placing 2 cups of high quality dry puppy food ( you can use the same brand as moms but in puppy formula) in a blender with liquid puppy milk replacer and fill the rest of the blender with hot water. (Never use cow's milk). Blend until a consistency much like oatmeal. You can feed them this 3-4 times a day, with plenty of access to fresh water. Even if they don't drink the water, they will get it from their food.

I would continue to feed this until they were at least 7 weeks. But each week reduce the amount of milk replacement and hot water and in crease the dry kibble. After pups are done eating and exploring their new mush, if there is left overs you can feed to mom for extra nutrients. You can also switch moms food over to adult formula to help reduce milk production. Start by replacing 1/4 of her puppy food with adult food. Keep increasing the adult food and decreasing the puppy food until by the 8th week postpartum, she is eating only adult food.

Here are some articles you may want to consider reading.

Puppy WEANING, How to wean puppies

A Guide to Nursing and Weaning Puppies | Dog & Cat Health, Wellness, Products and Breed Information