Why is my bottle-fed puppy tensing when eating and not pooping?

Depending on the age of the puppy, sometimes their bowel movements need to be physically stimulated with rubbing and warm compresses on the belly. Constipation can also occur in these little guys due to generalized GI issues or dehydration. If you are seeing liquid coming out of the nose, this may be an indication that milk is being inhaled, or simply an indicator that some of it isn't getting all the way down into the belly. Make sure that when you are syringe feeding that Leo is mostly upright so that the chance of aspiration into the lungs is limited. This is particularly important in an animal that is already compromised by an upper respiratory infection. If you still are unable to get Leo to produce a bowel movement by the middle or end of today, he should be seen by the vet for some assistance. Hope this helps.

Make sure you are simulating her to poop. Puppies this young cannot defecate without this. (Rub the anus gently for 10-20 seconds with a warm wet cloth/paper towel.) This needs to be done before or after every feeding (about every 2 hours). If that is not working within 8 hours, you need to see a vet. Do NOT attempt an enema on a puppy this small. Also make sure you’re feeding the puppy mild replacer EXACTLY as directed on the can. Diluting it or feeding too little can cause problems. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Topani!

Hi there. If Titan is eating and drinking normally, not vomiting, and having regular bowel movements, it should be okay to continue monitoring for now. However, if he stops eating, has repeated episodes of vomiting, or goes more than 48 hours without a bowel movement, I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam and possible abdominal x-rays, as these can be signs of an intestinal blockage that may need surgery. I would not recommend giving any kind of laxative, as this isn't likely to help - just continue to feed him his normal diet, and monitor to make sure he's pooping.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Constipation can be a huge issue with bottle fed puppies and kittens. I recommend mixing 2 different types of puppy formulas together and adding extra water. Hopefully that will help. She will need to be seen by Friday by a Vet if she still hasn't pooped. Constipation can be a huge issue in puppies this young. I would also recommend early weaning, starting around 4 weeks. Good luck!

Puppies can sometimes become constipated especially when they are being bottle fed formula. If he otherwise seems comfortable and is eating well you could try diluting the formula with water 50:50 (remember to offer twice as much so he gets enough calories). If he still doesn't produce stool in the next 12-24 hours I would recommend seeing a veterinarian - he may need to have an enema or could have another medical problem that is making him constipated.

Hi there. Poor pup! Bottle babies are very hard to raise-it's just like having a baby and I commend you on trying. These babies can have parasites, a "failure to thrive" (usually because of lack of antibodies from mom), etc. make sure your milk is mixed and stored properly. The pre made cans of esbilac are my favorite for bottle puppies and have easy feeding directions. Your puppy also needs to eat about every 3 hours at most. Make sure the puppy is passing gas and that you are also not overfeeding (which is also very serious). If Cow continues to do poorly, best to see a doctor. I hope this helps! Good luck to you.

If Titan has diarrhea and then appears constipated, this is an emergency as he may have an intestinal blockage and he would need to be seen by a veterinarian right away. However if he is just vomiting and has diarrhea and is still eating and drinking try the following: Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, an intestinal blockage, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Titan for 24 hours and then put him on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to his regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if he gets lethargic, he needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.