My First Puppy .. Questions..?

[Baxter]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before about this puppy or any puppy but on Thursday my family and I got a 9 week old Cockapoo. Since we took him home, he hasn't eaten anything. This morning he threw up a little bit and went #2 for the first time but he hasn't eaten his food. We are feeding him the same food that the breeder was feeding him and the rest of the litter. Also, when we put him in his cage he just screams. I'm sure it's normal for him to cry and stuff but is that ok for him? I was thinking that's maybe why he threw up this morning because he cried all night? I don't know. He sleeps a lot during the day but he's pretty active.

Now, just for some background. We got him from a breeder who had 2 litters. One had 3 pups and Baxter (our pup) was 1 of 6 and the first to go. There were also a few other dogs in the house.

Several people we've spoken to said it is normal for him not to eat and he's fine. They said their puppies did the same when they first brought them home it's just the new enviornment and lonliness and nervousness? I don't know though .. I just hope he's ok

 

[Renee750il]

It could be just the trauma of leaving the litter and being in a new home - and being alone. He's probably scared silly. When you put him in his crate, make sure he's got plenty of soft bedding to snuggle in, and set a ticking clock nearby where he can hear it. If possible, you might ask the breeder if you can get a piece of bedding with the smell of his mother and littermates to put in the crate with him.

The vomitting could very well have been from all the crying and stress. Having an empty belly will also cause it. Even more important than food, though, is water. Is he drinking anything? You don't want him to get dehydrated. That can kill a baby animal quickly. Keep trying with the food; hopefully he will have eaten by the time you read this.

Let us know how things go.

 

[Nina 05]

Hi, i just wanted to say that i can't wait to see some puppy pics. I had a difficult time choosing between a cockapoo and a labradoodle.
I hope he is feeling better.
Btw. My pup was also very stressed when he came home. Give him a week, and then the party will start.

 

[Rose's Gal]

Um, cockapoos and labradoodles AREN'T breeds. Nor are any 'poos' or 'doodles'. And the people who breed them, even if they are nice, AREN'T reputable breeders. If you want a mutt, go to the animal shelter and save a life. If you want a hypoallergenic dog, there are plenty of purebreds out there from reputable breeders that are.

But on the feeding issue.....he probalby is just stressed out. You might want to take him to the vet though, just to make sure. I'd also work on trianing him to keep quiet in the crate. A puppy shouldn't scream just because you put it in a crate for the night. I watched a GR puppy for a freind and when she was in her crate for the night, she would whine and scratch at the door for a while, but then she would stop. If you pup screams when it is in the crate, and you then go to it and let it out or to say, 'Now you hush up!' you are rewarding it. Just ignore it. (It might also help if it has a toy to keep it's mind busy when it is in the crate.)

 

[Doberluv]

I agree totally with Roses girl...everything. If your pup screams for that long, something might be wrong physically. I'd definitely get him checked over by a vet regardless....just because he's a new puppy.

Hope your dog will be ok.

 

[Baxter]

Well, thank you guys for the feedback. He is finally eating a little bit and drinking TONS of water. He went to the vet 2 days ago and we were told he has an upper respiratory infection. He's on an antibiotic but he's throwing up a little still but he's getting better. He's starting to get a little more antsy and less lazy and he's only crying when he sees you leave him when he's in his crate. He wakes up a few times for a few min. throughout the night but he's gotten SO much better. We're a little worried however, he's only eating babyfood. The puppy food he has no interest in but the vet said if he's eating the baby food let him eat it till he's better then try other foods so we're gonna do that.

 

[Saje]

I'm glad things are better Baxter. Do you have a good vet that you trust? That's so important. I've only been to my vet once since I moved out here. He's really nice but there aren't a lot of vets around here so options are limited.

Renee, do you know of any nutritous treats that would coax the pup into eating more? I don't feel comfortable recommending anything, especially for a pup that young.

 

[Renee750il]

The baby food is probably the best thing for him right now, but try to get a little yogurt in him. Anyone and anything on antibiotics needs yogurt - be sure it's a brand with active cultures - to offset the yeast problems antibiotics can trigger.

Keep him warm and dry and keep us posted!

 

[Baxter]

Is it bad to force feed him? That's the only way he'll eat ...

 

[Saje]

i don't think it's bad. If that's the only way to do it. I've had to force feed several animals. Although it wasn't really force-feeding as much as hand feeding. I used a syringe and liquid/mushy food and slipped it in the corner of their mouths. They usually ate it quite willingly. To me, force-feeding is what we had to do with our cat who had to take a pill every Tuesday.

How do you do it?

My bunny was quite sick after she had a stillborn baby (never going to get into that situation again) and she wasn't eating. I couldn't afford the vet at all or borrow money. They give away free syringes at the drugstore so I went and got one of those and made all sorts of tasty concotion to feed her. she actually liked it. She'd lay on her back and I'd feed her the goop. She'd eat it quite willingly. She recovered quite nicely but still had a bit of discharge so when I could I took her to the vet and got some antibiotics. She's 100% fine now and kinda fat actually.

So, that's why I don't think it's bad to force feed.

 

[Baxter]

Well, I'm sorryto say but we found out what is wrong with Baxter. We took him to the vet again and they told us he was annemic. His red blood cells had a total of 18 and we gave him ablood transfussion which only brought him up to 25. He's hooked up to IV now in the hospital but it doesnt look so good. We are gonna give hima few days then prob. have the breeder come get him because it is breakin our hearts and if he can't get better (which is probably the case) we can't watch him die. We might be getting another pup but we're still not sure.

 

[Rose's Gal]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy.........

But if you do get another puppy, please don't buy it from this breeder. She has already sold you a sick puppy. Take your time to find a reputable breeder. Or you can go to a shelter and pick up a mix that really needs a home.

Anyways, I'm really sorry for you...... I feel so sorry for you and the pup......


(I could have just said something, but since your heart is already breaking, I don't want to make you feel worse......if you do want to feel worse then read this. You don't have to. It might (most likely will) make you mad. Your choice:


This could have been avoided. If you wouldn't have bought a 'cockapoo' from an irresponsible breeder, your dog wouldn't be dying. My heart breaks for you, but in the back of my mind a voice is saying, 'This could have been avoided.' I feel sorry for you, and I'm not trying to accuse you or hurt your feelings, but I just felt compelled to tell you what was on my mind.

 

[Saje]

That's too bad. I've got my fingers crossed that he'll turn around. Poor pup.

 

[MaxMason]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy.........

But if you do get another puppy, please don't buy it from this breeder. She has already sold you a sick puppy. Take your time to find a reputable breeder. Or you can go to a shelter and pick up a mix that really needs a home.

Anyways, I'm really sorry for you...... I feel so sorry for you and the pup......


(I could have just said something, but since your heart is already breaking, I don't want to make you feel worse......if you do want to feel worse then read this. You don't have to. It might (most likely will) make you mad. Your choice:


This could have been avoided. If you wouldn't have bought a 'cockapoo' from an irresponsible breeder, your dog wouldn't be dying. My heart breaks for you, but in the back of my mind a voice is saying, 'This could have been avoided.' I feel sorry for you, and I'm not trying to accuse you or hurt your feelings, but I just felt compelled to tell you what was on my mind.

Yes very sorry Baxter, however Rose's Gal I bought Ginger from some horrible living conditions. There were about 20 dogs there and everyone of them was too skiny and didn't look good. Also they were feeding there dogs out of a swimming pool and yes I did say swimming pool. Now maybe in a way I shouldn't have bought a dog from someone that didn't take very good care of there pets. Does that make me iresponsible? In my eyes no, cause I might have saved Ginger's life getting her out of that hell hole. Not tryin to start a argument just stating my opinion.

2 weeks after I got her I called the breeders back and everyone of her litter mates died, because apparently these idiots went out of town and the other male dogs killed them. I did call animal control and report them and last I heard they took the dogs away from them idiots. Ginger is the only surviving member and is sleeping on a satin pillow as we speak And that makes me feel good and I hope and pray she has good health all her life. When I got Max my other retriever that died from a heart condition, he was the best thing that ever happened to me.

When I got him he had skin mites and had to treat him for them for about 3 months till he finally beat them. When I first got him he looked terrible, but no way in hell was I going to take him back, because if I didn't get him he coulda wound up with a irresponsible dog owner. My point is even if you do get a hold of a sick dog, doesn't mean its your fault, and he/she deserves all the love and best care they can get despite iresponsible breeders. Way I see it I can give that sick dog more love and attention than most dog owners. But yeah I understand your not accusing her, just thought I would tell my story.

Oh and also when I got Max and Ginger they were covered with fleas and ticks and look at there photos I have in my profile of them. They both look very beautiful and have shiny coats, but I often wonder what woulda happened if someone else would have gotten a hold of them? Don't think very many people in todays world would've gave Max his pill he had to take for his heart condition everyday.

And Baxter my prayers are with you and your puppy, nothing better in this world than a sweet puppy

 

[Renee750il]

Baxter, I am so sorry. It's so hard to watch a puppy struggle like this. Sometimes they do turn around, but your vet is your best source of advice right now. Please keep us in the loop.

Taking a puppy from a bad breeder is always two-edged. Yes, you've given that pup a loving home, even if it's just for a short time; on the other hand, it does enable these scum to continue to profit on the lives of these unfortunate animals. I'm not going to condemn anyone for loving a dog, or cat or any other creature, and I don't think that was Rose's intention at all. We just all wish we could stop these awful people and it's incredibly frustrating to know that they continue to live and profit by the suffering of other creatures.

I think Max found the perfect solution in that case - gave a pup a wonderful home and pulled the plug on the creeps. It's so sad that none of the others were saved.

 

[Rose's Gal]

Baxter, I am so sorry. It's so hard to watch a puppy struggle like this. Sometimes they do turn around, but your vet is your best source of advice right now. Please keep us in the loop.

Taking a puppy from a bad breeder is always two-edged. Yes, you've given that pup a loving home, even if it's just for a short time; on the other hand, it does enable these scum to continue to profit on the lives of these unfortunate animals. I'm not going to condemn anyone for loving a dog, or cat or any other creature, and I don't think that was Rose's intention at all. We just all wish we could stop these awful people and it's incredibly frustrating to know that they continue to live and profit by the suffering of other creatures.

I think Max found the perfect solution in that case - gave a pup a wonderful home and pulled the plug on the creeps. It's so sad that none of the others were saved.

I agree with Renee. I wasn't trying to critisize, but what I was trying to say is that if you do your research trying to find a reptuable breeder, you most likely won't have to go through so much pain and suffering that is caused by the so called 'breeders' if you buy from them.
If only everybody in the whole world new and cared about the horrible business of puppymills, and they new/cared about trying to find a good breeder.........*sigh*..............

 

[MaxMason]

I agree with Renee. I wasn't trying to critisize, but what I was trying to say is that if you do your research trying to find a reptuable breeder, you most likely won't have to go through so much pain and suffering that is caused by the so called 'breeders' if you buy from them.
If only everybody in the whole world new and cared about the horrible business of puppymills, and they new/cared about trying to find a good breeder.........*sigh*..............

Yeah and sorry if I made it seem like I was bashing you cause I wasn't just giving my opinion And I agree with you 100% there are alot of bad breeders that only care about making a profit. No doubt something needs to be done about these idiots that continue to do this kinda crap. But I don't question myself at all for buying Ginger from horrible living conditions, cause at least now she has a good home and is spoiled rotten Now if she would just quit chewing stuff up. Baxter please keep us posted on what's going on

 

[hotdoggy124]

sorry about your pup i'm with with sage( i got my fingers crossed, too!) i hope hes ok. keep us all updated

 

[Khristine]

Im sorry to hear about your Pup! I hope all goes well! ... I had just had my puppy for 1 week before he got his worms and got hypoglycemic and is still sort of recovering.. my prayers are with you baxter!

 

[smkie]

There is a gel food called Nutrical that is very good for boosting a puppy's health. It comes in a tube and you can apply a little to the roof of the mouth of even the weakest puppy and they can slowly let is be sucked down. I have brought around many almost gone cases with this. I used up several tubes for Victor when he came for he was so terribly skinny and wouldn't eat anything either. Petsmart and most other stores carry this and if they don't I am sure they can order it for you. It is full of good calories and all the nutrients a puppy (especially a sick one) needs.