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Feeding... We
feed Canidae Dry Dog Food. Its important to note I feed my pups twice a day, all they can eat in about 5 minutes depending
on puppy. I dont free choice food (have food out all day) as this encourages over eating and picky eating. I feed
dry only unless otherwise noted. Its a good idea to keep on with what I am feeding. Switching too fast can cause diarrhea!
Iams, Nutro Max, Sensible Choice and Pro Plan are all very good food.
Water...Your water is different than mine.
When pup comes home to you, its very important to buy one gallon of distilled water and mix it half and half with whatever
water you will be giving him, such as your tap water. Different water can upset tummy.
Bathing...choose
a good DOG shampoo. One that is mild and preferably tearless. Spend a little more here. Only bathe when
dirty and never more than once a week. Dogs do not have oil glands in their skin like we do. Overbathing especially
with a harsh shampoo can dry his skin out. Leave the flea shampoos alone unless you have fleas. These are very
harsh and do NOT prevent fleas. Talk to you vet about flea meds, Frontline is wonderful!
Toys...Stay
away from things that they can demolish and eat. Rawhide? NO. Vinyl toys with squeaker? NO.
Choose digestable chew toys such as hooves etc. They also adore "killing" a stuffed animal. Buy one for dogs with
no button eyes and if he starts to demolish it and ingest its contents, get him a new one! Do not
give your new pup old shoes or articles of clothing for chew toys. He gets the idea it is ok to chew these things.
You will be very upset to find that new pair of shoes destroyed by your pup. *SPECIAL NOTE:* I do not recommed nylabones.
One of my new families gave their boy one and he ingested a large sharp piece. It cut up his tummy and intestine. He passed
away on the operating table while the vet was trying to repair the damage. Very hard lesson for both the new family and I
to learn!
Milk...NO. Cottage cheese, sure
a couple tsp a day is great. Leave the milk for your cereal.
Spaying and neutering...as early as your vet will allow it. Females
in heat are very, very messy, bleading all over and you will have suitors at your door looking for love. Males, do it before
he realizes he's a boy! A male neutered young makes a most wonderful housedog.
Shots...your pup will come to you current on shot for its age. This does not mean
you are all done. Puppies need several shots before age 1 to become fully immune to disease. Until your pup has
completed these shots, stay away from places where many dogs visit and void in.
Worming...Your pup will come to you de- wormed for intestinal parasites.
This does not include heartworm which is carried my mosquitoes. Ask your vet about prevention!
Nails... learn to clip them yourself without making the dog bleed or pay someone to do it.
Visitors...keep them at a minimum until pup has settled in with you. If he arrives home to a house full of noisy people, he
may stress out. He needs quiet, lots of opportunity to sleep when he arrives. You can have a welcome home party after
about a week. Like any baby or growing thing, sleep is super important to him.
Canine Diseases we vaccinate
against:
Parvo... Highy resistant virus that withstands most temperatures. Transmitted by feces, hair,
feet, clothing of people. Attacks intestinal tract, white blood cells and sometimes the heart. Symptoms-high fever,
bloody diarrhea, collapse. HIGHLY contagious. Death occurs in 24-48 hours.
Distemper... direct/indirect
contact with eye and nose discharge from ill dog. Can also be carried in the air, urine and feces of infected dogs.
Symptoms-squniting, congestion eye discharge, weight loss, fever. Highly contagious.
Parainfluenza...Mild
respiratory infection. Transmitted through contact with nasal secretions of sick dog. Symptoms-mild fever, nasal
discharge and coughing. Can be confused with Kennel Cough
It is important to note that although your puppy has been vaccinated against these diseases,
his immunity is not fully developed until he gets more shots and more age. Keep up with shots at your vet clinic!!
In
addtion to de-worming we also treat pups for coccidia.
Coccidia... A protozoan one celled parasite.
Lives in intestine. Transmitted though fecal matter, Pups are often infected through mother. Adult animals
can carry these protozoan and not be affected. Stress, shipping, weaning, taken to a new home can cause the dormant
cocci in pups body to run rampant. Its entirely possible for breeder to see no signs and new owner to take puppy home
and within 24 hours see signs. Signs- diarrhea, sometimes mucous like and bloody. Can be confused with Parvo.
No fever is present with cocci. Coccidia will not kill a pup but its complications to a puppy under stress can.
The first few days home.... Keep visitors to a bare minimum, they can carry illness into your home on shoes
and clothing. Avoid places where other dogs frequent, At your vet clinic, hold the pup, dont put him down on floor!!
A stressed puppy is far more likely to become ill when exposed to germs, virus' and bacteria. Wait until he is
settled in before you expose him!!
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