Posted by Lynn on February 19, 1999 at 22:48:41:
In Reply to: grief..."small" peke. posted by Suzanne McNeil on July 06, 1998 at 09:37:44:
>
> I have a question about size, small pekes can "catch up" by their
sixth month, does anyone have more information on this?? the vet said
he checked out fine,I'd appreciate any info on "smaller" pekes.
Thanks, Suzanne
Hi, Suzanne. Please meet Mr. Peabody, my "Miracle (baby) Peke". It's
long, but let me tell you his story. He was from a litter of 6, but 3
were still-born. When Mr. P was 4 days old, Mom quit feeding him, and
began to 'hide' him around my friend's house. (My friend didn't know
what that meant, and she kept putting him back with the litter.) Finally,
(GASP!) she GAVE HIM TO HER AUNT, who brought him back the next day.
I fell in love with him at first sight, and on the Nov 28(1996), with
the help of my vet, I decided to try to save him. He weighed in at 154
GRAMS (I can't remember the conversion, but 1000 gms is 2.2 pounds), so
he was roughly 5-1/2 OUNCES. Both his eyes and ears were still closed
and the vet estimated the litter was as much as 2 weeks premie. Anyway,
his main problem was getting nourishment...his rib cage was flattened
out, which pushed his heart out of place...that pushed on his lungs,
and when he ate, the stomach also pushed the lungs, giving him
breathing problems. We tube-fed for 4 days, then switched to a bottle
(about 1/8 ounce EVERY 3 hours around the clock). S-l-o-w-l-y, he
gained weight, finally hitting 2 pounds at 15-1/2 weeks. Today, he's
spoiled rotten (of course!!), but he has lived despite the odds,
and he weighs 14-1/2 pounds!!
Just give your baby lots of love and he will grow. Lynn