How to Wean a Puppy With a Short Soft Palate

A puppy with a short soft palate will often have trouble nursing from its mother. Signs of this are extensive coughing, spitting and milk dribbling out of the nose. Puppies born with palate defects also often have problems in their early development and may appear malnourished and weak. Without addressing the issue of a soft palate, puppies can have failure to thrive and can eventually suffer from pneumonia or even death. Most puppies with this condition need to be tube-fed in order to live a healthy life.

Things You'll Need

  • Scale
  • Syringe
  • Tube or catheter
  • Pen
  • Puppy formula
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a correct diagnosis from a veterinarian. Some puppies with short soft palates can be treated by simply adjusting their eating habits. Other puppies might have a condition that requires surgery within the first 24 months of age. Your veterinarian should be able to give you a correct diagnosis and proper instructions after several tests.

    • 2

      Measure the amount you'll need to feed your puppy. Your should be able to determine the amount of formula to feed your puppy based on its weight. The average puppy ingests 25-35 milliliters every day per 100 grams of weight. Puppy formula comes in powdered form as well as pre-mixed in a can. Either works just fine. It should be served at 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Full preparation instructions should accompany the product.

    • 3

      Prepare your tube for feeding. Since puppies with soft palates often experience coughing or choking when nursing, most need to be tube-fed. Measure the length between your puppy's nose to its last rib. Make a marking on the tube at this point. Now connect the syringe to the end of the catheter and your puppy feeding system is ready.

    • 4

      Feed your puppy. Your veterinarian can best demonstrate how this is done. Place your puppy on a towel in your lap and tilt its head and chest on a slight upward incline. Gently hold your puppy's head in your hand and open its mouth. Direct the tube into the front of the puppy's mouth without forcing it in. Wait for the puppy to swallow the tube and slide the tube in to where the marking is on the tube. Begin to depress the feeding tube until half is gone.

    • 5

      Burp your puppy. After feeding your puppy for a while, give it a break and a few gentle pats on the back. Once the puppy has burped, reinsert the tube and continue feeding. After the feeding is finished, burp the puppy again to stimulate urination and defecation.