Would Love Some Advice

 

Whatever I decide to charge will end up helping to cover vet bills incurred, as well as the tail docking from yesterday and the puppy shots at 6 weeks.

Just curious but why did you have the puppies tails cut off?

I am not trying to pick on  anyone or start an argument.  I am just trying to understand why someone who clearly cares for the animals would do this.  I can tell you care for the animals.

NC_cockermama

We went home with antibiotics and a de-wormer, some Frontline and Heartguard.

Please note that Frontline and Frontline Plus (kills flea eggs and larvae) kill, but do not repel, fleas.  Dogs can get tapeworms from eating fleas, rodents, or rabbits, but neither Interceptor or Heartgard Plus will kill tapeworms.
     
Here are a few sites on natural flea & tick repellents.  Repellents can be put on a bandana or vest if you don't want the aroma on the dog all the time.
http://www.holistichealthtools.com/fleas.html   (fleas and ticks)
http://www.caberfeidh.com/Fleas.htm   (fleas)
http://www.healthypetcorner.com   (fleas)
http://www.flutterbyearomatics.com/flutterpooch/flea_tick.htm   (fleas and ticks)
     
NOTE: "natural" = herbs and essential Oils 
   
Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used for non-toxic, dietary, digestive tract worm control and/or non-toxic environmental worm/flea control:
http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/49/136523.html#POST417333   
DE or Safe-Guard (granules, paste, or liquid) are both OTC.  Either can be used as needed or on a regular basis to take care of intestinal worms (including tapeworms).  Safe-Guard is exactly the same as the Panacur prescribed by vets for de-worming and it is also effective against the protozoa (one-celled organisms) Giardia.
    
When a dog has diarrhea, an owner can often take care of the problem with Safe-Guard and plain (not spiced), canned pumpkin.  Pumpkin helps to normalize the stool (good for constipation, too) and Safe-Guard takes care of any worms or Giardia.
 
DE or nematodes (a tiny worm) can be used for the non-toxic control of fleas in the yard.  Be very careful to spread DE with a mask on.  "The nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, hunts down fleas in the pre-adult, pupae, and larval stages of their growth, which account for 95 percent of the flea population, even searching out the fleas that lie dormant in cocoons before reaching maturity."

TH

Just curious but why did you have the puppies tails cut off?

I am not trying to pick on anyone or start an argument. I am just trying to understand why someone who clearly cares for the animals would do this. I can tell you care for the animals.

I would bet that she thought it was "normal" for the breed and the vet backed up that idea.  She is probably not aware that more and more people are not docking tails. 
 
Don't forget that this litter was a BIG surprise and she didn't have a lot of time to research this kind of stuff.

I tried to add links (above) for Safe-Guard paste and liquid, but I kept getting database errors, so I put them here.  Note that the liquid keeps for 3 years if refrigerated.

Suggested first aid items:
.  Benadryl (anti-histamine) - 1-2 mg/lb of body weight 2-4 times daily - Do not use a "sugar free" liquid.
.  Pepto Bismol - 1 tsp per 5 lbs every 6 hrs for vomiting, gas, diarrhea
.  Terramycin (eye antibiotic ointment)
.  Gold Bond Powder (great for hot spots)
.  Kwik Stop styptic powder w/ Benzocaine (for bleeding nails)
.  Safe-Guard de-wormer (also for Giardia)
.  Syrup of Ipecac (induces vomiting)
.  skin glue - also good for treating abrasions on pads
.  hydrogen peroxide - 3% solution (can also induce vomiting - 2 tsp per 30 lbs every 15 min)
.  Bitter Apple (to prevent chewing on bandages or stitches)
.  Bite Not Collar (more comfortable alternative to Elizabethan collar) 
.  wire muzzle (any dog in pain can bite)
.  oral dosage syringe (eye dropper or baby dosage syringe)
 
Benadryl and Kwic Stop are absolute musts!!  You also need something to induce vomiting in case Reesee eats something she shouldn't.  The Bite Not Collar would make Reesee much more comfortable after her spay.

ORIGINAL: TH

 

Whatever I decide to charge will end up helping to cover vet bills incurred, as well as the tail docking from yesterday and the puppy shots at 6 weeks.

Just curious but why did you have the puppies tails cut off?

I am not trying to pick on  anyone or start an argument.  I am just trying to understand why someone who clearly cares for the animals would do this.  I can tell you care for the animals.

 
I struggled with that as well, but there were other issues at hand.   I could care less if a dog has a long tail, and I figured that it was all an aesthetic thing.  My main concern is finding good homes that want these pups.  lease understand, I had less than a handful of hours of sleep at the time, the vet set the appointment up when I called, and I had a short window to decided.

If you haven't had time to research, then I think it is reasonable to assume that most people who want a cocker, want a docked one because that is how they have looked for generations....  If I were in your shoes I probably would have made the same decision.  Chalk it up to experience; as long as it was done properly i really doubt it will do any long term damage.
 
I think it's truly astonishing what you and that poor dog have been through, and my jaw nearly hit the floor when i got to the bit about that woman!  I'd have been hard pressed not to go round to her house and punch her on the nose!  The cheek!
 
You are a STAR for all you are doing for this dog.  Unfortunately, it's people like you who SHOULD be "breeders" and people like this woman who should never be allowed within ten feet of any animal, much less delicate infants.  It is the people who have brains and compassion and make certain that they do it right rather than wallowing in ignorance who should be breeding... yet it is those very people who conscientiously hold back from it BECAUSE of all those wonderful qualities.

What I don't understand about this woman is that she said that her family isn't connecting with the dog (or vice versa), however when her daughter heard about the pups she supposedly got all excited.  Definitely people you don't want to keep in contact with.
 
I understand how it might be hard to tell them to just leave you alone.  I mean, naturally we get upset/angry and want to just yell at them.  But in person is different.  The best idea is to just say the pups are accounted for and with your new schedule in caring for them, you don't have time to show them.  Tell them to take care, and then never answer another of their phone calls or emails.
 
Good luck to you!