PUPPY CARE
 
   We will ship your puppy in a small carrier. We recommend using this as a traveling
carrier, perfect for taking your puppy to the vet's office. Never let your puppy walk or play on
the floor of  your vet's office, or take your puppy anywhere other animals have been (this
includes places like petsmart and parks) until all of the puppy series of shots are given.
When buying your crate we highly recommend buying a large crate that will fit the puppy as
an adult not just as a puppy. What looks large in the store will not be when you get it home.
When you shop at the pet stores take the crate that you think will be the size you want and
lay it on the floor (you do not need to open it) take a fuzzy bed, the size you are thinking
about getting, lay it on the box on one end then set two bowls also on the box and if you can
then visualize the puppy in the space left over. If you have picked a small crate and you
work all day and the puppy will be in this crate while you are at work, your little puppy,after
relieving itself, will either play in it or lay in it and then your bathing when you get home.
That is why it is important to buy a crate that has enough room to move around and yes
potty in at first as when your new puppy is little it will not be able to hold it all day until he or
she ages a little.
In the course of your crate training remember when you are not directly interacting with your
puppy lock the puppy in the crate, do not give the puppy a chance to run around the house
unattended as until you have the puppy house broke he or she will potty on the carpet and
you may not find it until the puppy has gone in that spot several times and it makes it harder
to house train when the puppy can smell spots on the carpet and think it is ok to go there.
We have also heard of people losing their puppies from accidents because the puppy had
free roam of the house. It is so easy for a small puppy to get into trouble and get hurt on
things in your house that you would never think of.
Another major risk is that of stepping on, kicking, or dropping your puppy. What may appear
to be a minor blow to your puppy, could be fatal. A bell fastened to your puppy's collar could
help to prevent an accident by allowing you to know where he/she is at all times. Make your
entire family aware of the risks. Don't leave your puppy unattended on the furniture or with
your children.
You must not allow your puppy to get chilled or hot. Extreme temperatures can be life
threatening and/or cause permanent damage.



                 




                

                                           HYPOGLYCEMIA
                                            (Low Blood Sugar)

This is a central nervous system disorder caused by low blood sugar. It occurs
mainly in toy breeds between six and twelve weeks of age. Often it is precipitated
by stress.
The first signs are listlessness and depression. They are followed by muscular
weakness, vomiting or diarrhea, tremors (especially in the facial muscles), and
later convulsions, coma and death. The entire sequence is not always seen. The
dog may simply appear to be depressed or he may be weak, wobbly, and jerky, or
he may be found in a coma.
Hypoglycemia can occur without warning when a puppy is placed in a new home or
while being shipped. It might appear after a puppy misses a meal, chills, becomes
exhausted from too much playing, or has a digestive upset. These upsets place an
added strain on the energy reserves of the liver and bring on symptoms, if the dog
is susceptible.
Puppies who are weaned on rice and hamburger are more likely to develop
hypoglycemia. Their diet is deficient in certain ingredients needed to sustain the
liver.
TREATMENT: Treatment is directed at restoring blood levels of glucose. Begin at
once. Prolonged or repeated attacks can cause permanent damage to the brain. If
the puppy is awake, give him Karo syrup, honey or sugar in water by mouth. He will
begin to improve within 30 minutes. When he is unconscious, he will have to be
given a Dextrose solution intravenously. It may be necessary to treat for swelling
for the brain. A veterinarian should be called at once, regardless if the puppy is
awake or unconscious.
Prevent recurrent attacks by feeding a high quality dry food diet and adding to it
sugar, syrup or honey. See that the puppy eats at least every 4 hours and receives
a daily vitamin. Owners of toy puppies should not overtire them or allow them to
chill. Play must be offset by frequent feedings. A puppy, who does not eat
frequently, for whatever reason, is heading for trouble.
Source: Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook
By: Dr. Delbert G Carlson, D.V.M.
Dr. James M. Griffin, D.V.M.
                                             TEETH

It is very common for many breeds to have retained teeth. Retained teeth cause
plaque and bacteria build up. This is a major cause of health problems. It can
cause heart and kidney problems, among others. You need to keep the baby teeth
pulled as they become loose and be sure they are removed by the time your puppy
reaches 8 months of age. Then keep your puppy on a good teeth cleaning schedule
into adulthood. Brushing their teeth can certainly be of great benefit. Please
practice good dental care. Rope toys, hard plastic chew toys, nyla bones, budda
bones, edible bones, all natural treats, just to name a few, are good things to give
your little puppy,talk to your veterinarian on how you can keep your dogs teeth
healthy. DO NOT, however give your puppy rawhide chews, unless they are in tiny
pressed together pieces. Any large pieces of rawhide that your puppy swallows
can be lodged in the intestines causing expensive surgery or death. RAWHIDE IS
NOT DIGESTIBLE. There are many denta bones out there that are mint flavored,
good for the teeth, and the puppy likes them.