General Things to know about puppies:
Small Breed dogs.
Gestation period is 58-62 days.
Puppies open their eyes around 14 days
Puppies ears open (begin to hear) around 21 days old.
Mother's naturally begin weening their puppies around 5.5 wks to 6.5 weeks.
Moms pass on maternal immunities within the first 24 hours of birth to their puppies.
Moms immunities leave the puppies between 6-8 weeks. No vaccine is on the market to override moms immunities.
a. this is the reason that a vaccine at 5-6 wks is often referred as a throw away shot.
b. vaccines by pharmaceutical companies state "vaccinate 3-4 wks apart. NOT every 2 wks. that is an overload on a small puppy. (besides not following instructions).
Deworming begins around 10-14 days, and is done aprox ever 10-14 days. when a puppy has been regularly dewormed then around 12 wks, you should deworm your puppy once a month if the puppy spends time outside. *Note if you start your dog on Heart guard or some other OTC counter parasitic control (fleas/ticks) it may also cover the deworming situation. Ask your vet. or look at ingredients and look on line if the ingredients kills internal parasites.
Puppies can have adverse (even death) from Vaccines. You should always have knowledge on what you are vaccinating your dog for. Before you go to a vet to vaccinate your puppy/dog... READ on line "what is a 5 way shot/ what is a 6 way shot) possible adverse reactions. Also adverse reactions to Rabies shot... Not all shots that are on the market is necessarily applicable to your dog or where you live. I am not trying to scare you, but if you merely say, "here doc, give my dog any/all vaccine, and your puppy/dog has an adverse reaction, you and your puppy are the only losers. Just as we consider vaccines for ourselves, we are our puppy/dog caregiver and should consider the needs of the dog. You should know what adverse reactions your dog could have for example, Bordetella can cause your puppy to get a cough. AND, just because your puppy has a cough, it may not be kennel cough. Also, Bordetella is recommended for dogs who will be boarded or frequent populated dog areas (like well populated dog parks). I recommend "DOG OWNERS HOME VETERNARY BOOK". This book was written by 4 veterinarians who address the most common issues in dog/puppies....You can look up by symptoms.
for example: what causes drops of blood sometimes in his stool? teething, stress, constipated, is a few thing or the puppy needs another deworming. P.S if your dog has bad stools (of concern) take a picture for your Vet.
It also tells you what human over the counter (OTC) meds you can give your puppy/dog for minor problems.
DID YOU KNOW, even though it is a good ideal to do a yearly (annual check up) that does not mean re vaccinate your dog on a calendar year. Once your puppy has been vaccinated (minimum 2: 5way or 6way shot) @ 7-11 wks of age, then after 6months (when his immune system should be fully developed) around 7-11 months the (booster) vaccinate. From that point every 3 years at the earliest. WHY: An adult dog will hold immunities 5-7 yrs (verify on line if you want). Exceptions: Show dogs, and breeders. NOTE: applicable to small dogs, there are some large breed dogs who need more frequent vaccines like Dobermans who can't hold strong immunities).
Please read caution messages (like on YOUTUBE) about the 7-11 way vaccines for the bacteria Lepto (Leptospirosis).5 different strains. Many vets do not recommend this vaccine. I personally know of previous buyers who dogs have had reactions 24-30 hrs later that caused damages/death. So, do your research.
OVERALL: Puppies who are force weened and sold less that 8 wks of age are most commonly that puppy who "barks a lot, skittish, or not very social."
Puppies begin their (mental) separation from mom around 7 wks. They can play all day with the littermates and not look for mom, but at night like to suckle on mom. By 8-9 wks they don't look for mom and spend their time with littermates, or other puppies, not with mom at all. Very small puppies "runts" or in general "tiny" dogs need to spend more time with mom or littermates of the same size. They are more prone to Hypoglycemia (drop in sugar levels) due to stress (separation anxiety, overplaying/ held to much) and missing meals . The common period this happens is between 8-11wks. This is the reason adopting a puppy who will only be around 4-6 lbs as an adult should not be taken home, under 11 wks of age. Exception would be the puppy has not experience any hypoglycemia while with the breeder or you are a at home person who can closely monitor a tiny puppy.
Educate yourself so you can ask your vet questions....
for example: side effects to medicines prescribed. Can this situation be anything else. "Is this common, have you seen this before" ? I never leave the Vets office without asking 3 questions. Side effects, how long should it take to cure (pass), when (if needed) do I need to bring the dog back.
DISCLOSURE: This is general information, not specific to any particular puppy.
Small Breed dogs.
Gestation period is 58-62 days.
Puppies open their eyes around 14 days
Puppies ears open (begin to hear) around 21 days old.
Mother's naturally begin weening their puppies around 5.5 wks to 6.5 weeks.
Moms pass on maternal immunities within the first 24 hours of birth to their puppies.
Moms immunities leave the puppies between 6-8 weeks. No vaccine is on the market to override moms immunities.
a. this is the reason that a vaccine at 5-6 wks is often referred as a throw away shot.
b. vaccines by pharmaceutical companies state "vaccinate 3-4 wks apart. NOT every 2 wks. that is an overload on a small puppy. (besides not following instructions).
Deworming begins around 10-14 days, and is done aprox ever 10-14 days. when a puppy has been regularly dewormed then around 12 wks, you should deworm your puppy once a month if the puppy spends time outside. *Note if you start your dog on Heart guard or some other OTC counter parasitic control (fleas/ticks) it may also cover the deworming situation. Ask your vet. or look at ingredients and look on line if the ingredients kills internal parasites.
Puppies can have adverse (even death) from Vaccines. You should always have knowledge on what you are vaccinating your dog for. Before you go to a vet to vaccinate your puppy/dog... READ on line "what is a 5 way shot/ what is a 6 way shot) possible adverse reactions. Also adverse reactions to Rabies shot... Not all shots that are on the market is necessarily applicable to your dog or where you live. I am not trying to scare you, but if you merely say, "here doc, give my dog any/all vaccine, and your puppy/dog has an adverse reaction, you and your puppy are the only losers. Just as we consider vaccines for ourselves, we are our puppy/dog caregiver and should consider the needs of the dog. You should know what adverse reactions your dog could have for example, Bordetella can cause your puppy to get a cough. AND, just because your puppy has a cough, it may not be kennel cough. Also, Bordetella is recommended for dogs who will be boarded or frequent populated dog areas (like well populated dog parks). I recommend "DOG OWNERS HOME VETERNARY BOOK". This book was written by 4 veterinarians who address the most common issues in dog/puppies....You can look up by symptoms.
for example: what causes drops of blood sometimes in his stool? teething, stress, constipated, is a few thing or the puppy needs another deworming. P.S if your dog has bad stools (of concern) take a picture for your Vet.
It also tells you what human over the counter (OTC) meds you can give your puppy/dog for minor problems.
DID YOU KNOW, even though it is a good ideal to do a yearly (annual check up) that does not mean re vaccinate your dog on a calendar year. Once your puppy has been vaccinated (minimum 2: 5way or 6way shot) @ 7-11 wks of age, then after 6months (when his immune system should be fully developed) around 7-11 months the (booster) vaccinate. From that point every 3 years at the earliest. WHY: An adult dog will hold immunities 5-7 yrs (verify on line if you want). Exceptions: Show dogs, and breeders. NOTE: applicable to small dogs, there are some large breed dogs who need more frequent vaccines like Dobermans who can't hold strong immunities).
Please read caution messages (like on YOUTUBE) about the 7-11 way vaccines for the bacteria Lepto (Leptospirosis).5 different strains. Many vets do not recommend this vaccine. I personally know of previous buyers who dogs have had reactions 24-30 hrs later that caused damages/death. So, do your research.
OVERALL: Puppies who are force weened and sold less that 8 wks of age are most commonly that puppy who "barks a lot, skittish, or not very social."
Puppies begin their (mental) separation from mom around 7 wks. They can play all day with the littermates and not look for mom, but at night like to suckle on mom. By 8-9 wks they don't look for mom and spend their time with littermates, or other puppies, not with mom at all. Very small puppies "runts" or in general "tiny" dogs need to spend more time with mom or littermates of the same size. They are more prone to Hypoglycemia (drop in sugar levels) due to stress (separation anxiety, overplaying/ held to much) and missing meals . The common period this happens is between 8-11wks. This is the reason adopting a puppy who will only be around 4-6 lbs as an adult should not be taken home, under 11 wks of age. Exception would be the puppy has not experience any hypoglycemia while with the breeder or you are a at home person who can closely monitor a tiny puppy.
Educate yourself so you can ask your vet questions....
for example: side effects to medicines prescribed. Can this situation be anything else. "Is this common, have you seen this before" ? I never leave the Vets office without asking 3 questions. Side effects, how long should it take to cure (pass), when (if needed) do I need to bring the dog back.
DISCLOSURE: This is general information, not specific to any particular puppy.