Accepted Answer

Four pups are a lot of stress on a Yorkie. If the pups are 3 weeks old now, you can start giving them softened puppy food every 3-4 hours. That will decrease their need to suckle on mom. You should have them fully weaned by 4-5 weeks. Once they are eating on their own and are placed in homes, then have the mom spayed. I you still have pups around when she comes back from surgery, they will disrupt the stitches and try to bite at her nipples. You have 4 or 5 months before she will come back into heat.

For the mother, she may be starting to have milk fever, which is a lack of calcium. Because she is having to make milk, she is using her own bones as a calcium source. When her calcium starts to fall, she will get weak and may even have tremors. YOu can help her by using cheese instead of milk. In milk there is a sugar called lactose that dogs cannot digest, so it acts to give the dog diarrhea. That is not good because it will dehydrate her.

If she is eating, give her puppy food, too, because it contains extra calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D.

If she needs help, see a vet for a shot of calcium for milk fever.

Expert:	Dr. Louis Gotthelf
Pos. Feedback:	97.5 %
Accepts:
Answered:	6/26/2009

Veterinarian

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Owner of a small animal clinic and an ear/skin clinic 31 years