Puppy Stuff (5/5/21)

Vee’s puppies are 6 days old; Deja’s are 12 days old… There just seems there would be a bigger difference in weights? Vee’s puppies are not filled out though they are getting to be hefty puppies. Deja’s pups are like potatoes! Solid. I suspect a few will hit the two-pounder tomorrow (Greey boy, Pink and Yellow girl). The weight difference is interesting…

Vee’s Blue Pawprint boy is a moose! He’s definitely an outlier! And Deja’s Orange Boy is not far behind his siblings now; he and Blue Boy (Deja’s) are about the same weight.

For some odd reason, both mom’s have decided to dig? I’ve removed the fleece pads because pups were crawling under them and getting “lost” so maybe, mom’s miss the cushioning? I’ve added extra coverings (the waterproof washable pads) but they are just digging them up making “mountains” for pups to crawl up and over to reach mom’s. I’ve spent much of today “fixing” them while mom’s are laughing at me, I know!

5/6/21: I was SO TIRED last night that I decided finish this today. I did manage to figure out how to make a “table” for the weights above! Keeping an eye on pups and keeping everyone updated plus working on “next steps”… something had to give… I fell asleep and forgot to put my phone in the charger. Oops!

Vee has a small lump along her mammary chain in between two nipples. Caught early (because I’m checking mom’s as much as checking pups), we started alternating warm and cold compresses three to four times/day. Lump/mass got a bit smaller but still there? I made sure pups were draining the nipple above and below the mass to keep those ducts flowing/emptying. Started Vee on antibiotics (Deja and Vee are receiving probiotics as well as the puppies; already giving pups probiotics every other day). I have visions of a major erupting mastitis that would require surgical repair… That would be my nightmare! Well… It seems milk has leaked out of the mammary chain into the Sub-Q tissue that resulted in this mass? Compressed and we were able to get that milk mass out through the skin in between those two nipples! There is a pin prick size hole that closes up immediately after expressing. There’s not a lot that bothers me but this did. Mass is definitely milk although maybe not quite as white as Vee’s milk from her nipples. Mass substantially smaller now although we are continuing the warm/cold compresses. It doesn’t seem to bother Vee; she’s not in any pain but… Just not “normal”! It can’t stay because leaving a pocket of “old milk” would not be good! I plan on keeping Vee on antibiotics a few more days and… probiotics continued for all. Might this reabsorb on its own? Maybe? But better to be aware and on top of things before it becomes a bigger problem/infection.

In puppy news… I’m going through my wait list and talking to folks to see if they are “still waiting”. I have several wonderful families that I would like to promise them a puppy; I’m going to run out of puppies before I run out of great homes. I’m truly sorry for the families who won’t be getting a puppy from these litters. For the most part, I’m still working on folks who’ve been waiting since mid 2020.

For the families that I have contacted, I’m in the process of nailing down “puppy party” dates and “going home” weekends. Pups stay with me until they are 8-weeks-old; fortunately this corresponds to upcoming weekends which is always nice to have to get used to pups schedules and for pups to get used to new surroundings. I will send each puppy home with a small bag of food we’ve weaned pups onto so that won’t be a change for puppy. Fortunately, my pups go home pretty close to being house-broken and knowing how to use a doggy-door. It will be up to each family to keep close eyes on puppy and learn his/her signals he/she needs to go potty. Expect “accidents” but strive for reading signals and pups doing the “right thing” will go a long way in “house-breaking” pups. Today, I’m making those vet appointments for each litter for pups to get their first vaccinations and vet checks. I want boys to have their “family jewels” descended although these can still go “up and down” even at 8-weeks of age.

Several of Deja’s puppies have their eyes open now. Tiny little slits as they now start using visual skills and not just scent to “find mom”. In both litters, pups are getting up on all fours. After eyes, ears open next and “squeaks” turn into “barks” as they start to hear themselves for the first time. Many know I have an African Grey parrot (expert mimic ability!) Picasso, my Grey, already mimics my little dog’s barking only it sounds “distant” and muffled which is how s/he hears it. I fully expect to be hearing puppy barks “in stereo” soon, LOL!

Once pups are walking well with eyes and ears open, we will remove the whelping boxes and start more interactive toys for pups to explore. Mom’s will still be nursing; solid food introduced week three or so. Teeth should start erupting by then too.

Back to puppies… Look for an email from me with more specific information soon. I’m really looking forward to meeting and talking to folks in person at the puppy parties!