In Olympia, Washington, 11 newborn puppies with their umbilical cords still attached, were found in a plastic planter box along the McLane Creek Nature Trail one week ago. The Good Samaritans who found the litter drove them to nearby Aberdeen looking for formula to feed the puppies, and then posted on social media for help.
Sue Meier, the founder of Caring Hearts 4 Paws, responded to the Facebook post and the couple’s plea for help. The puppies were placed in an incubator set to 85 degrees, and every two or three hours they were being fed. Most of the little ones weighed less than a pound; the average weight no more than 15 ounces. They survived the first critical 24-hours, and it was hoped they would continue to make positive progress.
The puppies were scheduled to go home with an experienced medical foster mom, but on Friday morning the puppies started having diarrhea and were all rushed to the vet. Tragically five of the puppies died at the clinic including one of the pups who had not survived the trip.
Although there was no diagnosis, the vet thought the other puppies were stable enough to return home, and they were prescribed antibiotics to be given with their formula. The remaining puppies died on Saturday night.
Sue Meier, the founder of the rescue and the volunteers were devastated, but the odds were against the survival of the tiny ones. It was everyone’s wish the puppies could have survived the terrible odds.
Lack of colostrum from momma dog left them with a less than favorable immune system. Being born in the dirt bacteria may have entered thru the umbilicus or we feel coccidea could be the reason. They were born in dirt. Our arms were gray when we first fed them. Coccidea is from the soil where infected feces is. Mom may be sick and owners dont know or care. Green watery poop can be a bacterial infection, and they went from baby mustard brown to green poop like that last night.
Everything possible was done to save these little ones. Rest easy puppies; we are so sorry you never had a chance to grow up and experience the joys of life.
Read the previous coverage here.
Anyone with information about the puppies and the location of their mother is asked to contact the rescue organization.
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Beyond heartbreaking. Poor precious little babies never had a life. I know that all of them are in Heaven. I hope they meet MacKitty and join his wonderful snuggle buddies group. They can RIP amongst loving friends furever.