4 week old puppies whose mom died

Question
QUESTION: We have 2- 4 week old puppies whose mom was trampled and killed by a horse.  The owner said he was feeding them warm milk and moistened puppy food.  One of them is particulary small and not interested in eating.  They both are having diarrehea, I am very concerned and not sure what to do.

ANSWER: Oh my goodness, how awful! Why does the owner not have them anymore? What >>kind<< of milk was he feeding them? Puppies cannot have cow's milk, and that could be the cause for the diarrhea. Goat's milk is the next best thing to mother's milk. I would strongly suggest that you contact a vet ASAP. Puppies can go downhill VERY quickly, even at 4 weeks of age.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, we took the puppies to the vet today and they both were dehydrated, anemic and had/have coccidiosis, and hookworms, we also found out that one of the other pups died last night.  Another thing we wondered, come to the conclusion was that the story about mom being trampled by the horse may not have been true.  Mom may have had the hookworms and passed to pups.  (Owner of mom and pups not known very well.)   Anyway, vet said had we not taken them in, they would have died by the end of the week.  They had pale gums, diareha, etc.  He gave us a de wormer and alabon. Thanks for replying.

Answer
Good luck with them, Angie. It's very common for intestinal worms to be passed to the puppies in utero, which is why you should deworm at 14, 24, and 34 days with something like Strongid. If you don't, the worms can multiply as they seem to have done in your little guys, and cause death if left untreated, since they prevent the puppy from being able to absorb the nutrients from whatever food it is being given.