newborn yorkie puppies

Question
My female yorkie/chihauha mix deliver four healthy babies September 9, 2008.  She is a caring first-time mom and very diligent in cleaning, nursing and looking after the pups.  At 24 days of age their eyes are open, they are begining to try being up on their legs walking, and have the "bumps" of first teeth.  Coco is still nursing, however, I would like to know when I should begin to supplement feedings, with what, how often.

Answer
Gayla -

Begin feeding the puppies wet puppy food at five weeks of age.  Some moms will try to stop their babies as young as four weeks of age which is fine.  It is okay to let the mom decide when to stop nursing the pups; most moms will stop nursing when the puppies get teeth.  Allowing the babies to nurse the  mom when they have teeth can cause the mom to end up with mastitis, which can be very painful and uncomfortable for the mom.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM