Small dog + Big pups

How worrying.
Puppy formula fed by you?

I'd call the vet and say she's exhausted. Sorry you are in this situation.

Don't beat yourself up Exdancer bitches in season are so unpredictable. I agree with NotSpaghetti talk to your vet about puppy formula. Good luck with your new family.

There may be a useful supplement for mum too - who must still be recovering from her operation.

What was the father like?
Just wondering how big and how quickly her pups are likely to grow?
😬

I should have mentioned, the vet doesn't seem concerned (£25 for this piece of advice - please make payment to the practise by bacs).
Those of us who breast fed our own children will remember how exhausting it is which is why I'm looking for some high calorie/high protein dog food and have also considered raw liver and such ..... for Mum ..... ?
I do think supplementing the pups is a good idea too

NSpaghitti We have no idea what the father is like.

I really think your vet should be more 'hands on' with your situation, offering advice about nutrition, and supplements after her pregnancy and subsequent surgery! They need a kick up the ***! Hope all goes well and you get the support you need.

Never had to deal with this but here is the AI advice for what it's worth - from Gemini:
(NB - Only copied and pasted)

First off, please take a deep breath and go easy on yourself. Dogs are notoriously clever escape artists when they are in season, and it happens to the best and most attentive owners. What matters right now is that you got her through a tough delivery, she has two healthy puppies, and you are actively looking out for her well-being.
A Lakeland terrier nursing two "huge" puppies is essentially running a metabolic marathon. Producing milk drains a mother dog's body of protein, fat, and vital minerals (especially calcium) at an alarming rate. It is completely normal for her to look thin and act famished right now, but we definitely need to supercharge her diet to help her keep up.

Here is a breakdown of how to fuel her recovery and milk production, what to watch out for, and resources to help you through this.

## 1. High-Octane Diet Adjustments
Right now, standard adult dog food won't cut it. She needs nutrient-dense, easily digestible calories.
* *Switch to Puppy Food:* If you haven't already, gradually transition her to a high-quality *premium puppy food* (kibble and wet). Puppy formulas are much higher in protein, fat, and crucial minerals like calcium and phosphorus than standard adult food.
* *Free-Choice Feeding (All You Can Eat):* Do not stick to standard meal times. Leave a bowl of dry puppy kibble out for her *24/7*. Nursing mothers should generally eat two to three times their normal caloric intake. She should be allowed to eat whenever she finds a spare moment away from the pups.
* *Boost the Calories:* Mix high-calorie wet puppy food, plain cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, or a little bit of full-fat cottage cheese into her meals to entice her appetite and give her an extra protein punch.
* *Hydration is Critical:* Milk is mostly water. If she’s dehydrated, her milk supply drops and she will feel even more exhausted. Keep multiple water bowls topped up with fresh water right next to her whelping box. Some breeders offer warm, low-sodium chicken broth to encourage drinking.

## 2. Crucial Red Flags to Avoid
There are a few specific medical and dietary dangers to keep on your radar over the next few weeks.
### Watch for Eclampsia (Milk Fever)
This is a life-threatening drop in blood calcium levels caused by the heavy demands of nursing. Because her puppies are so large, they are drawing a massive amount of calcium from her.
* *Symptoms to watch for:* Restlessness, pacing, whining, muscle tremors, stiff joints, unsteadiness on her feet, or a high fever.
* *What to do:* If you see any twitching or stiffness, it is a veterinary emergency. They will need to give her intravenous calcium.
> *CRITICAL WARNING:* *Do not give her calcium supplements (like Tums or bone meal) without an explicit instruction and dosage from your vet.* Counterintuitively, giving oral calcium supplements can cause her body to stop mobilizing its own natural calcium stores, which can actually trigger or worsen eclampsia. Stick to the calcium naturally found in high-quality puppy food.
>
### Avoid Sudden Diet Overloads
While she needs calories, don't introduce incredibly rich or fatty foods (like pure butter, heavy cream, or large amounts of oil) all at once. Her digestive system is already stressed, and sudden massive fat increases can trigger pancreatitis (severe inflammation of the pancreas). Stick to high-quality proteins and puppy formulas.

## 3. Recommended Reading & Next Steps
To help you navigate the next few weeks of puppy growth and weaning, here are some excellent, reputable resources:
* *The Kennel Club (UK) / American Kennel Club (AKC):* Search for their guides on "Feeding the Breeding Bitch" and "Whelp Advice." They offer great operational timelines for when the mom's energy peaks and how to safely start weaning the pups.
* *VCA Animal Hospitals / PDSA Articles:* Look up their online leaflets on "Feeding the Nursing Dog" and "Eclampsia in Dogs." They provide excellent, vet-reviewed checklists of exact caloric calculations and symptom tracking.
### A Note on Her Incision
Since she had a C-section just a week ago, keep a close eye on her surgical line. The puppies will be kicking and scratching at her belly while they nurse. Check the incision daily for any redness, swelling, or discharge, and make sure the puppies' tiny claws are kept trimmed so they don't scratch her healing skin.
By week 3 or 4, the puppies will start getting teeth and showing interest in solid food. Once you begin weaning them onto puppy mush, your sweet Lakeland will finally get a break, and her body can start focusing entirely on her own recovery.
How is her energy level otherwise—is she alert and attentive to the pups, or does she seem completely lethargic? Let me know if you are seeing any specific behaviors that worry you.

*

"Let me know if you are seeing any specific behaviors that worry you."

Worth looking at maybe though ExDancer
🤞

Feed your own dog, “Mum”, much more, but in smaller meals more often.

Take pups away for an hour or so every day to let Mum rest, look at supplementing by bottle feeding pups on puppy milk during the day.

It’s a bit early to totally warn.

We are the “queens” of irresponsibility, years ago our lively mongrel “escaped” whilst in season and she had 11 beautiful puppies. It was bedlam and we had to hand feed the two “runts” all survived, we rehoused them all, bar one which we kept.

Wean not warn!

It might be a good idea to DNA test one of the puppies.

Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens a lot.

Many thanks for that very helpful information NotSpaghetti.
I had wondered about calcium also the 'do's and don'ts' of liver which can be toxic in large amounts. I must say I've not found the vet very helpful at all and somehow his adding an extra £25 to his bill for (telephone) advice "not to worry" just a bit grasping.
I'm always amazed by the care and attention animals have for their offspring, even after a caesarean section - how perplexing to go to sleep and wake up to a sore tummy and these helpless, squeaking things next to you!

ExDancer

Many thanks for that very helpful information NotSpaghetti.
I had wondered about calcium also the 'do's and don'ts' of liver which can be toxic in large amounts. I must say I've not found the vet very helpful at all and somehow his adding an extra £25 to his bill for (telephone) advice "not to worry" just a bit grasping.
I'm always amazed by the care and attention animals have for their offspring, even after a caesarean section - how perplexing to go to sleep and wake up to a sore tummy and these helpless, squeaking things next to you!

There’s a Galgo on the Galgos del Sol Facebook page that was rescued in an emaciated state ( as most of them are), had about ten puppies via Caesarian section and was then shown feeding them straight away. Such a good mum. My last whippet was born via c section and I’ve always wondered why the scar isn’t problematic. I,too would be furious about that £25 charge. Maybe, when your dear little dog has successfully raised her huge puppies you should contact the vet, tell them the things you did to make it easier for her and charge £25 them so they can use the advice in the future.

I’m cross with your vet as well. My first spaniel had a planned litter at age 2 1/2. She ate astounding amounts of food. I bought out of date human baby powder to supplement the puppies
Best of luck x

Magenta8

It might be a good idea to DNA test one of the puppies.

Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens a lot.

Yes, good idea.
Let’s hope it isn’t a really huge breed of dog!

Don't think I'd risk baby formula as it's too sweet and they don't have as much lactase as humans.
I seem to think not having enough lactase can cause diarrhea.

Also baby milk is much less fatty. Only half as "fat dense" as puppy formula.
They need a lot of fat I understand.

How is she doing anyway ExDancer?

Would not dream of criticising you, ExDancer, it is so difficult when a bitch is on heat. Lots of good advice from NotSpaghetti and others, and it may be worth arranging for a DNA test of one of the pups. I really don’t rate your Vet! Any chance that you could change to someone more understanding? Good luck with your new family.