Puppy Care

• 08-08-2007 12:33 PM

  NC_cockermama Joined on 07-29-2007 Posts 179 Points 60

  Puppy Care Reply Contact I posted on the Puppy thread, but I wanted to put this here as well just in case. The puppies are two weeks old today.  I've learned alot since joining this forum regarding caring for them.  Alot of things contradict what I have been originally told, but make much more sense.  Like waiting until at least 9 weeks to vaccinate, electing not to early-neuter, nutrition, etc. Because this is all new to me, I'm not sure of what type of care plan to follow.  When should they have their first "well" visit?  Would it be when they receive their first vaccines?  What about worming?  Reesee had roundworms and was treated days prior to birth.  I know that does not guarantee anything regarding the puppies not having them.  When should worming be administered, and is it something I can purchase without having to set up vet appts. for all three puppies? I am also curious about introducing puppy food.  I've read that this can begin at three weeks with softened puppy kibble.  I'd like to hear what forum members think about introducing foods. One more thing, flea protection.  If Reesee is taking a monthly flea preventative, are the puppies also pretty safe? Thanks again!

  Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 12:44 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,907 Points 2,035

  RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact I begin worming pups at 2 weeks old. Many don't like this...BUT when you have pups losing condition at 4 weeks old then you worm them and they hack up fully grown roundworms...well yeah. Roundworms "encyst" in their mother muscle tissue and lactating triggers them to wake up and they then get passed to the pups. I use Nemex-2   I do vaccines myself and I do Parvo/distemper ONLY at 8 weeks. I take the one's being placed to the vet for a checkup at that time. Vet's offices have many, many germs that if passed to a neonate puppy can kill them or make them quite ill. So I avoid vet's offices unless it's an emergency.   I weigh them daily to ensure they are gaining properly...that's important. I check for hernias, cleft palate, etc. When eyes are open I check to make sure there's no micro(tiny unfinished eyeballs) and that no infection is present. Puppies should have good muscle tone and be highly mobile at 2 weeks. Round but not hard bellies and Mom should be pooping them whenever they need it...tho some may just poop on their own at this stage.   I offer solids between 3-5 weeks depending on the litter. Puppy kibble run thru a blender and stored (dry) in a baggie in the fridge and is mixed with formula at first very liquid..then gradually thicker. I add warm water instead of formula when they're around 5-6 weeks. By 8 weeks it's dry kibble. MANY different diets out there from raw to kibble...but that's how I do it.   Frontline is safe for pregnant and nursing bitches...some topicals and pills ARE NOT so please do read the packaging. Frontline on the bitch will protect the pups too. They can be Frontlined at 8 weeks. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."

  Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 1:23 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,749 Points 330

  RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact Gina, what do you think of using Safe-Guard?   This Beagle breeder uses Safe-Guard liquid for her puppies and adult dogs.  See the last part of this article: http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beaglehealth_canineintestinalworms.htm    It is less expensive overall and it gets roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Taenia tapeworms.  Nemex-2 only gets roundworms and hookworms.   Unfortunately, the smallest size of liquid Safe-Guard is 1000ml, but it is good for 3 years.  It is sold as a "cattle" wormer.    They want you to buy the much more expensive Safe-Guard granules for dogs. http://www.lambriarvetsupply.com/SafeGuard-Suspension-10-1000-ml-Bottle--pr--0160071000 ETA:  For a 125ml bottle of Safe-Guard liquid, see http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=A8E84F2A-076B-465B-A2BB-E785DDFB009A&ccd=IFF003&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_content=33534

  Filed under: worming, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, Safe-Guard liquid, whipworms Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 2:24 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,907 Points 2,035	RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact I think it's a fine product, but I prefer the Nemex-2. [] Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."
  	Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 3:29 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  walking lady Joined on 07-12-2007 Posts 191 Points 0

  RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact I can't comment at all on flea protection because we don't have fleas here.   When I was breeding and that was several years ago, I made sure the mom was wormed before being bred.  My vet suggested not worming the puppies at a really young age if the mom was worm free and they weren't showing any symptoms at all.   As for feeding, I had a couple of females who liked to have litters of 9, so to help them out, I supplemented with goat's milk.  At 4 weeks, I strarted feeding the puppies with dry puppy food moistened with warm water.  I also started offering them fresh water several times a day.   I weighed them every day, made sure everyone was growing and just generally looking healthy, but they didn't go to the vet until their 1st shots (and at that time they got tattooed). [image]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5e50477ef63ae4cdeb62570d23601ebe/e89ec0aa.jpg[/image]

  Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 5:15 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  beth82 Joined on 09-10-2007 Dallas, TX Posts 271 Points 0

  RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact ORIGINAL: janet_rose   Unfortunately, the smallest size of liquid Safe-Guard is 1000ml, but it is good for 3 years.  It is sold as a "cattle" wormer.  []  They want you to buy the much more expensive Safe-Guard granules for dogs. [linkhttp://www.lambriarvetsupply.com/SafeGuard-Suspension-10-1000-ml-Bottle--pr--0160071000[/link]>http://www.lambriarvetsupply.com/SafeGuard-Suspension-10-1000-ml-Bottle--pr--0160071000]http://www.lambriarvetsupply.com/SafeGuard-Suspension-10-1000-ml-Bottle--pr--0160071000[/link] Actually, there is also a 125 ml. size that's marketed for goats.  [linkhttp://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=A8E84F2A-076B-465B-A2BB-E785DDFB009A&ccd=IFF003&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_content=33534]http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=A8E84F2A-076B-465B-A2BB-E785DDFB009A&ccd=IFF003&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_content=33534[/link] It's the same 10% suspension as the 1000 ml. bottle of horse & cattle wormer. This is the one I use for my pets, since I would never be able to use 1000 ml. of the stuff before the 3 years were up.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 10:26 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,749 Points 330	RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact beth82: Actually, there is also a 125 ml. size that's marketed for goats. Thanks for the info!!    ValleyVet.com also has the 1000ml bottle right now for $105.95 with free shipping.
  	Post Points: 0

• 08-08-2007 10:29 PM

  In reply to NC_cockermama

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,749 Points 330	RE: Puppy Care Reply Contact rwbeagles: I think it's a fine product, but I prefer the Nemex-2. LOL.  Actually I was hoping you might know some pro's and con's for Nemex-2 and Safe-Guard for puppies.
  	Filed under: worming, Nemex-2 Post Points: 0