dying puppies

Question
our pit bull mix just had her first litter and she is only about 8 months old and the puppies are dying one each day. she had 7 puppies and we only have two left. we found the others in the morning when we got up but one died just a few minutes and made a gasping sound and died. the mother seems to feeding them and trying to take care of them so we dont know why they are dying. she has been eating their feces could that have contaminated her milk or was she too young we are new to this so we dont have a clue.pklease help if have any idea what could be causing this thanks debbie

Answer
Hi Debbie

Did you have both the male and female tested for any STD's prior to whelp?  

Did you female come into contact with any dogs with Kennel Cough or other transferable diseases?

8 months is young for a female to have her first litter, and it doesn't give you as a breeder, and opportunity to discover if your dogs has any hereditary defects or conditions that would affect the offspring.

All females clean their pups, it stimulates them and encourages them to eliminate.  

I would recommend taking the pups to a vet and having them tested.  Anything from lack of preparation, inadequate heat, vaccinating the dam, a sound and healthly female, proper diet,  congenital defects, cleft palates, heart defects, or something in your soil, like coli or cocccidiosis.

Good luck