Pointers For New Owners

THE RIDE HOME Puppies may become car sick during the first couple of trips. Consider taking another person along to hold your new puppy. Take a towel along just in case your puppy does get sick. Give your puppy about 45 minutes to an hour to settle down after he is at his new home-his little tummy will do just fine. WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE FIRST FEW DAYS Your puppy may be a bit nervous (the puppy is no longer experiencing familiar sounds and smells). This unsettling feeling will pass shortly. Nervousness or change of diet may cause diarrhea. If it lasts for more than two days, please contact a veterinarian. Not eating for the first day or day and a half - If your puppy refuses to eat, you will have to supplement with Nutri-Stat or Nutri-Cal to keep the puppies energy level up, or contact a veterinarian, they will have some suggestions on what to do. After putting your puppy down for the first time, he may just stand there in fright. Back away and talk soothingly to him. Reassure him by saying "good puppy, nice puppy". Whistle very softly and your new puppy will come over to you for a sniff. When he comes over, give him a pat on the head. The puppy will be fine after this. SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS TO BE AWARE OF Bright red blood mixed in with stool - Generally this is a case of Cocidia. The blood may also be due to broken blood vessels when a puppy defecates. Whether the blood is due to Cocidia or to the puppy straining, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. Worms in your puppy's stool - There are many types of worms that your puppy may have. The most common types are: A) Tapeworms: look like small grains of rice B) Roundworms: look like strands of spaghetti. Should you see worms in your puppy, do not be alarmed. Take a stool sample to your veterinarian and the puppy will receive worming medication. Worms take several weeks to get rid of, so be sure to keep the puppy away from any other dog's defecation, or his own. Even if the puppy does not show any visible signs of worms, it is recommended that you take a stool sample to the vet within the first few days after the purchase of the puppy. Ringworm; If you notice a round crusty area about the size of a nickel or quarter on your pup at anytime, it may be ringworm. This is easily treated with a few applications of "Blue Star" ointment and some follow up baths. As a precaution to make sure the ringworm is cleared up, still apply for several days some "Lamisil" antifungal cream available from Walmart. Kennel Cough (Tracheal Bronchitis). Symptoms of Kennel Cough are a dry hacking cough, and a shortness of breath. Kennel Cough is quite common, almost as common as the human cold. It is caused by a combination of stress and temperature variations. Although the cough may sound threatening, it is treatable with medication. Consult a vet if your puppy shows signs of Kennel Cough. NOTE:Kennel Cough can remain in the puppy's system anywhere from five days to several weeks. Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur in small breeds. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia are white gums, rolled up eyes, inability to stand up straight and seizures. The small breeds can get Hypoglycemia overnight (Most common time). Small breeds are very fragile, and can get very sick if they stop eating. It is important that you give small breeds food all the time, never restrict food. This will ensure that the puppy will receive a steady stream of nutrients. Hypoglycemia occurs when puppies get stressed out and their blood sugar level drops below normal. Should your puppy become Hypoglycemic, a quick dose of Nutri-Cal, Nutri-Stat, honey or Karo syrup will put the blood sugar level close to normal. Place the puppy in a warm place and quickly consult a veterinarian. Important! If your new pup will not eat in the first few days after getting him home, mix some Eukanuba, Nutri-Cal or Stat, and some Pedia-lite baby water liquid in a blender till it makes a paste. Draw it into a 12 CC syringe, start squirting small amounts (1/2 a CC at a time) into the far back corner of the pup's mouth, taking a break about every 4 CC's for the pup to stand up and get composed. The pup can eat the whole 12 CC's at one serving, 3 times a day. Place the pup down close to it's heating pad and make sure fresh water is available 24-7. This sitution of stop eating sometimes happens when the pup gets stressed from leaving their litter mates and is adopted my homes with no other pets, or have pets much larger . 4. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SMALL BREEDS- Make sure that you are not constantly handling the puppy or passing it around from hand to hand. In the beginning, give the puppy a little time to rest. Most importantly, use the Nutri-Cal or Nutri-Stat at least three to four times daily when the puppy is playing hard during the day. This will make sure your puppy is getting the much needed sugar and nutrients. To prevent your puppy from becoming Hypoglycemic, the Nutri-Cal should be given consistently for the first two weeks. Remember, the puppy is fragile and must be treated like a baby for a few more months. Do not roughhouse with the puppy. Be very cautious when you take the puppy outside. Keep the puppy away from public parks where dogs defecate - until the puppy is fully vaccinated. Do not let your puppy come into contact with another dog unless you know that dog is fully vaccinated. Do not leave your puppy near wooded areas where raccoons or squirrels may live. Your puppy may catch the rabies virus if he gets bitten by any wild animals. Important: Your new puppy is yours, not your neighbor's pup, not your friends pup, and most important,  your puppy is not the new play toy for your neighbor's dog which might carry all kind of health problems just waiting for a new host. Don't pass him around like a toy till he is out of his puppy stage, 5-6 months, this causes extra stress which could cause a Cocidia outbreak or worse. Please be very careful in the decisions you make for your new puppy, Passing the pup around (#1 cause of death is dropping the pup on a hard surface),  small children holding the pup without supervision (#1 droppers of pups) or carrying the pup in the wrong manner (cutting off the air suppy), feeding of junk food. Falling out of a car or truck when you open the door to enter or exit (#2 cause of death) A collar with a bell is a nice safety addition when the puppy is out and about with you just to remind you of their presence.  Common sense and double checking is the best medicine. BEWARE OF LARGER DOGS AS THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO KILL A PUPPY .