Nan's Story - How Lactol Helped Save a Tiny Puppy

In July 2024, Jane watched helplessly as the smallest of four newborn puppies began to fade. At just four days old, little Nan (as she had named her) had stopped feeding from her mother and was already in danger at the crucial first stage of life. Weighing only 40 grams (barely more than a chocolate bar) her chances looked bleak. This is the remarkable story of how Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk helped transform a failing puppy into a thriving, bouncy companion.

Nan was born in July 2024, a Welsh Terrier, one of four healthy puppies from her mother Blossom.

For the first three days of life, Nan appeared to be keeping pace with her littermates. All four puppies were similar in size, feeding eagerly whilst their attentive mother fussed over them. But on the morning of day four, everything changed. Nan became noticeably less active as her siblings continued to grow and thrive. Despite her mother keeping her close and trying to encourage feeding, Nan simply wouldn't latch on, preferring instead to nestle under her mother's chin for warmth.

Jane knew immediate action was needed. "I spoke to our vet on the 8th July, but couldn't risk taking Nan to the practice for fear her mother might reject her, once she had been taken away" Jane recalls. "She was already quite weak, and time was critical."

The vet warned that something might be physically preventing Nan from feeding, given how quickly she'd deteriorated. They suggested allowing her to feed before the other puppies, but when Jane explained it was Nan's reluctance to feed rather than competition from siblings, the vet recommended bottle feeding with a milk replacement formula and suggested Jane try Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk replacer.

Jane discovered that Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk was recommended by veterinarians as a complete milk replacement for newborn or orphaned puppies. Jane visited  her local Pets at Home and after discussion with a staff member, Jane purchased a 1kg tub of Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk along with a Lactol Feeding Set containing a specially designed bottle, six teats and a cleaning brush.

What followed was a meticulous feeding regime that would test Jane's dedication. Feeding Nan every four hours using the Lactol Feeding Set required patience and persistence, but the results spoke for themselves.

Jane kept detailed weight logs that tell an incredible story of recovery which she has kindly shared with us for this story:

Starting at just 40g on the 8th July, Nan gained 2g by day 7, then 8g the following day. By the 13th July, she'd doubled her weight to 80g. The momentum continued: 180g by day 10, 210g by day 11, and 240g by day 12. Within two weeks of starting Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk, Nan had increased her weight six-fold to 340g. Whilst her siblings had reached between 610g and 860g by this point, Nan was finally thriving.

At their eight-week check on the 29th August, Nan weighed 1.78kg. The veterinary team were amazed that Jane had succeeded in hand-rearing such a tiny puppy. "No one dared think we would be lucky enough," Jane explains. "She was so tiny, and we couldn't be certain there wasn't some physical impairment preventing her from feeding naturally."

Today, at 14 months old, Nan is a healthy 7.8kg which isn’t far off the breed average of 9kg. What she lacks in stature, she more than makes up for with her incredible zest for life. "You would never guess Nan had such a poor start," says Jane, "although she's still small, and we still don't know why she had the initial setback, thanks to Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk we have a healthy, happy and very bouncy 14 month old doggy who is literally everyone’s best friend!"

Nan's story demonstrates that with the right nutrition and dedication, even the tiniest puppies can overcome a difficult start. Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk provided the complete nutrition Nan needed when her mother's milk wasn't an option, offering a genuine lifeline when every hour counted.

For pet owners facing similar challenges with newborn or orphaned puppies, Nan's journey offers both practical insights and hope. The combination of veterinary guidance, a quality milk replacer like Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk, and committed care can make the difference between heartbreak and the joy of watching a tiny puppy grow into a beloved family companion.

As Jane puts it: "Lactol has literally been a lifesaver."