Advice Regarding Young Puppies
Discussion
Good Morning All,
I'm after some advice on behalf of a friend please.
Last night he picked up two Rottweiler puppies (a boy and a girl), they are only 5-and-a-half weeks old though.
I know they shouldn't be away from Mum this young, but a couple of points which he made:
1) The breeder over the phone said the Mum had "rejected" her litter. (I thought only the runt is rejected sometimes?)
2) Upon arriving at the house, he was told "we've lost the boy". The garden gate and front door were open when he got there, they found the dog after about 5 minutes.
IMO he done the right thing in taking them away from the family - what was described sounded like a scene from Shameless.
One good thing is that he did meet the Mum, who seemed friendly.
The questions I have are how much puppy milk should they be fed? IIRC it's small but frequent amounts during the day?
When can they go on to puppy-size dry food?
And I take it he should take them both to the vets now before the 8 week injections?
TIA.
I'm after some advice on behalf of a friend please.
Last night he picked up two Rottweiler puppies (a boy and a girl), they are only 5-and-a-half weeks old though.
I know they shouldn't be away from Mum this young, but a couple of points which he made:
1) The breeder over the phone said the Mum had "rejected" her litter. (I thought only the runt is rejected sometimes?)
2) Upon arriving at the house, he was told "we've lost the boy". The garden gate and front door were open when he got there, they found the dog after about 5 minutes.
IMO he done the right thing in taking them away from the family - what was described sounded like a scene from Shameless.
One good thing is that he did meet the Mum, who seemed friendly.
The questions I have are how much puppy milk should they be fed? IIRC it's small but frequent amounts during the day?
When can they go on to puppy-size dry food?
And I take it he should take them both to the vets now before the 8 week injections?
TIA.
First things first, get then registered and down for a vet ck asap. We do free new pet cks hopefully there vet will offer something similar. They should have been wormed at 2and5 weeks, if not this can be done by the vet.
The breeder (though they pound like a poor excuse of a breeder) should have already been weaning them onto puppy food esp if Mum was rejecting them, so they should carry on with this and supplement with puppy milk such as Welpi or Lactol. They should not be just on milk at their age.
I don't suppose your friend checked to see if Mum had papers or if Mum at least had been hip scored?
Do you know how much she paid for these pups?
The problem is people will always feel sorry for russ in this situation and that is what these 'breeders' count on.
Hope they are ok and good luck to your friend. I love rotties but 2 pups quite a handful!
The breeder (though they pound like a poor excuse of a breeder) should have already been weaning them onto puppy food esp if Mum was rejecting them, so they should carry on with this and supplement with puppy milk such as Welpi or Lactol. They should not be just on milk at their age.
I don't suppose your friend checked to see if Mum had papers or if Mum at least had been hip scored?
Do you know how much she paid for these pups?
The problem is people will always feel sorry for russ in this situation and that is what these 'breeders' count on.
Hope they are ok and good luck to your friend. I love rotties but 2 pups quite a handful!
As far as I'm aware they can just eat puppy food now.
Get them to the vet ASAP to get worming treatment started and make a plan for vaccinations.
The mistake many people make with such young puppies is keeping them "safe" until their vaccinations are effective at around 12 weeks.
I'm afraid your friend doesn't have much of a choice - those pups need to spend as much time as possible around other friendly dogs right now. The lessons they learn by the time they're 8 weeks old stay with them forever.
Unless your friend is very experienced, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen
.
Get them to the vet ASAP to get worming treatment started and make a plan for vaccinations.
The mistake many people make with such young puppies is keeping them "safe" until their vaccinations are effective at around 12 weeks.
I'm afraid your friend doesn't have much of a choice - those pups need to spend as much time as possible around other friendly dogs right now. The lessons they learn by the time they're 8 weeks old stay with them forever.
Unless your friend is very experienced, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen
.bexVN said:
First things first, get then registered and down for a vet ck asap. We do free new pet cks hopefully there vet will offer something similar. They should have been wormed at 2and5 weeks, if not this can be done by the vet.
The breeder (though they pound like a poor excuse of a breeder) should have already been weaning them onto puppy food esp if Mum was rejecting them, so they should carry on with this and supplement with puppy milk such as Welpi or Lactol. They should not be just on milk at their age.
I don't suppose your friend checked to see if Mum had papers or if Mum at least had been hip scored?
Do you know how much she paid for these pups?
The problem is people will always feel sorry for russ in this situation and that is what these 'breeders' count on.
Hope they are ok and good luck to your friend. I love rotties but 2 pups quite a handful!
That's exactly what happened, he felt sorry for them being in a sThe breeder (though they pound like a poor excuse of a breeder) should have already been weaning them onto puppy food esp if Mum was rejecting them, so they should carry on with this and supplement with puppy milk such as Welpi or Lactol. They should not be just on milk at their age.
I don't suppose your friend checked to see if Mum had papers or if Mum at least had been hip scored?
Do you know how much she paid for these pups?
The problem is people will always feel sorry for russ in this situation and that is what these 'breeders' count on.
Hope they are ok and good luck to your friend. I love rotties but 2 pups quite a handful!
t environment so he bought them.I think he paid £350, each I'm assuming, I know that still is very cheap for Rotties.
With the food, the breeder said she was feeding them "meat roll". I think as in the rolls of meat/tripe you should only feed adult dogs!
I've no idea about the Mum's papers or hip score sorry.
rasputin said:
As far as I'm aware they can just eat puppy food now.
Get them to the vet ASAP to get worming treatment started and make a plan for vaccinations.
The mistake many people make with such young puppies is keeping them "safe" until their vaccinations are effective at around 12 weeks.
I'm afraid your friend doesn't have much of a choice - those pups need to spend as much time as possible around other friendly dogs right now. The lessons they learn by the time they're 8 weeks old stay with them forever.
Unless your friend is very experienced, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
I've got my dog who I can bring down to spend time with them, my friend knows about the need to socialise them.Get them to the vet ASAP to get worming treatment started and make a plan for vaccinations.
The mistake many people make with such young puppies is keeping them "safe" until their vaccinations are effective at around 12 weeks.
I'm afraid your friend doesn't have much of a choice - those pups need to spend as much time as possible around other friendly dogs right now. The lessons they learn by the time they're 8 weeks old stay with them forever.
Unless your friend is very experienced, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen
.However, with regard to going out pre-vaccination, he lives in the country, so large garden but no enclosed space as of yet. He's going to build a run and for now a temporary set-up so they can go toilet but not run away!
But, with it being in the country is it safe to let them outside before their first injections?
JumboBeef said:
rasputin said:
Unless your friend is very experienced, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen .
Indeed. The best for these dogs might be to get them to a dog's home, where they can learn to be puppies before being ready for a home after about 10 weeks of age..
Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm going to point him in the direction of this thread.
I'm at work at the moment but I'll text him now re: the vets and food.
They should not go out of secure garden unless being carried until 2 weeks after their 2nd vacc (1st at 8wks, 2nd at 10wks) it may be adviseable to get them parvo vacc at 6 weeks as they are in a higher risk category your friends vet will advise if he asks them) but they could mix with vaccinated and healthy dogs in the meantime.
Meatroll is a st food so I'd look at soaked dry puppy food of good quality (such as Pro plan, Orijen or poss royal canin) but they may have to purchase some meatroll for a few days to avoid upsetting their tummies due to changing their diet to quickly (unless they already have the squits)
Honestly the people who have bred these pups really know F all by the seems of things, makes me livid, esp as there is probably nothing can be done about it!
Meatroll is a s
t food so I'd look at soaked dry puppy food of good quality (such as Pro plan, Orijen or poss royal canin) but they may have to purchase some meatroll for a few days to avoid upsetting their tummies due to changing their diet to quickly (unless they already have the squits)Honestly the people who have bred these pups really know F all by the seems of things, makes me livid, esp as there is probably nothing can be done about it!
Thanks, yeah they already have the squits.
I know, from the account of the house and people in and around the estate they were not in a good home.
The 'breeder' also said the boy had gone (friend originally wanted just the boy) so he said he wasn't interested. Then magically she said they were still there.
It seems she wanted the cash ASAP hence selling them so cheap and so young.
What was also interesting was that including the ones he bought, there were only three pups at the house...
I know, from the account of the house and people in and around the estate they were not in a good home.
The 'breeder' also said the boy had gone (friend originally wanted just the boy) so he said he wasn't interested. Then magically she said they were still there.
It seems she wanted the cash ASAP hence selling them so cheap and so young.
What was also interesting was that including the ones he bought, there were only three pups at the house...
Jasandjules said:
Also try goat milk (raw) as they will need nutrients from natural milk (not cow milk though). What was the "breeder" feeding them?
I think they have some goat milk now, not sure if it's raw though.The so-called breeder was feeding them that meatroll, I'm assuming/hoping milk as well.
Poor things not having a good start to life are they. I had a Rottie some years ago and it's a must to get the little ones out meeting and greating as soon as possible after their injections.
It's never a good idea to take two dogs from the same litter as they may and often constantly vie for top dog.
I hate back street breeders like this as you have know idea their hip, elbow and temperament scores.
It's never a good idea to take two dogs from the same litter as they may and often constantly vie for top dog.
I hate back street breeders like this as you have know idea their hip, elbow and temperament scores.
An update: They've had their first injections, been wormed and had a general check-up. The vet said they both had a heart mumour, on the second check-up he mentioned they still had it, but it hadn't got any worse.
Hopefully it'll go away soon.
The puppies are being fed Arden Grange food, and since being off that meatroll and being wormed their stomachs are much less swelled. They seem happy, are very friendly and full of beans, until they have their numerous puppy naps!
A few accidents in the house, but overall the toilet training is coming along nicely. They met my Staffy yesterday and were absolutely fine with him, they'll also be meeting several other dogs (and breeds) over the next few weeks.
When I can get to a 'proper' computer, I'll post a few pictures.
Thanks again for all the replies and advice.
Hopefully it'll go away soon.
The puppies are being fed Arden Grange food, and since being off that meatroll and being wormed their stomachs are much less swelled. They seem happy, are very friendly and full of beans, until they have their numerous puppy naps!
A few accidents in the house, but overall the toilet training is coming along nicely. They met my Staffy yesterday and were absolutely fine with him, they'll also be meeting several other dogs (and breeds) over the next few weeks.
When I can get to a 'proper' computer, I'll post a few pictures.
Thanks again for all the replies and advice.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff