Questions about puppies

[julietsmom]

I'm just wondering about the docking of the tails on the puppies. When do you do this? What is the roundabout cost of getting the tails docked? Also, if any of you have the time, can you run down the ball park estimate of costs after the puppies are born...for example, shots, tails being docked, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[lisatodd]

my vet charges 15 dollars for dew claws and docking per puppy then you have the office visit expence. some vets charge for each puppy as a office visit, and others will just charge for one. this is normally done between 3-5 days of age.

[YorkieRose]

Prices vary from state/area to area...some people pay $200 for a section, some pay $2000..so it is hard to give you prices..tails are done 3 to 5 days and the costs vary.
If you are breeding a litter or anyone for that matter..secure a credit card with a $3000 limit in case it is needed. Better to have too much for an ER then too little.

[Julz]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Prices vary from state/area to area...some people pay $200 for a section, some pay $2000..so it is hard to give you prices..tails are done 3 to 5 days and the costs vary.
If you are breeding a litter or anyone for that matter..secure a credit card with a $3000 limit in case it is needed. Better to have too much for an ER then too little.

or better yet, cash....the emergency vet in my area takes "cash only". Somehow, the girls have a lot of emergencies at night or on Sunday's. As already mentioned, dew claws and tails are at 3-5 days. A "wellness check-up" is within 24 hours of whelping. If all goes well, the next step is the first set of shots and worming (6-8 weeks old) (unless you choose to get an x-ray to see number & size of pups a week before the due date). You can call different vets in your area to get different pricing. I'd suggest making a list of costs you are interested in (don't forget an emergency c-section and x-rays). Don't be surprised to hear "we are not taking new patients at this time". Make sure to contact the emergency vet hospital in your area for location and costs and ask the vet you choose if he/she will be available in case of an emergency. It is so hard to have an emergency and hear these uncaring words (and know they won't give medical adivce out on the phone in most or all cases). There are tons of great sites with whelping advice online too. Wishing you and your girl the very best !

[YorkieShadow]

Man this is why I sure miss are old town vet. He died year before last , But would do the whole litter for 20 bucks. and only charge us 30 bucks for all their shots. he was a sweet old man and loved all animals. I remember when we took our dog in to be put to sleep. he held her and broke down crying.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by YorkieShadow

Man this is why I sure miss are old town vet. He died year before last , But would do the whole litter for 20 bucks. and only charge us 30 bucks for all their shots. he was a sweet old man and loved all animals. I remember when we took our dog in to be put to sleep. he held her and broke down crying.

Sounds like a wonderful soul and I'll bet he is running and playing with all the animals in heaven now.
My Vet. doesn't come that cheap with his services, but boy is he ever the best Vet. I've ever gone to. All the neighboring Vets. send their patients with serious issues to him. Everyone calls him Dr. Doolittle. He has such an uncanny way with all animals.

[Tiramisu]

Originally Posted by julietsmom

I'm just wondering about the docking of the tails on the puppies. When do you do this? What is the roundabout cost of getting the tails docked? Also, if any of you have the time, can you run down the ball park estimate of costs after the puppies are born...for example, shots, tails being docked, etc.

Thanks in advance!

I take mom and pups in within 24 hours to get oxytocin shot and calcium pills (~$40). On day 3, I take the pups in for docking and dew claws ($12.50/pup). I give the puppy shots (~$7/pup x 3 shots, given @ 6, 9, and 12 weeks) and dewormer every 2 weeks. If I keep a pup longer, there's the Rabies ($12.50) and Parvo ($20) vaccines. My vet charges a $20 office visit and always does a fecal ($3) and Strongid T ($1). If I take two doggies in at the same time, she only charges me one visit.

We docked tails and removed dewclaws from Fancee's litter, but I'm not sure I'll try it again. It went well, but I was so afraid of going too deep on the dewclaws.

[julietsmom]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This site is just a plethora of information! I just love it!

I have another question. When I bought JuJu, the breeder had her ears taped so they would stand up. Is this necessary? Without it will the pups ears droop?

[Julz]

Originally Posted by julietsmom

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This site is just a plethora of information! I just love it!

I have another question. When I bought JuJu, the breeder had her ears taped so they would stand up. Is this necessary? Without it will the pups ears droop?

I start trimming the hair off the ears around 5 weeks old. You will be shocked at the amount of hair that comes off those little ears! This weighs them down and can deter the standing position. You will need to trim their nails way before that. It is very easy....I use human infant nail trimmers for them when they are so young. I never give a soaking bath until they are atleast 5 weeks old. Then you have to make sure they are completely dry so they don't catch a chill. You also have to watch you don't burn their sensitive skin and keep the drier moving, not in one position. Also, never let water get in their ears. I use a wash cloth on the face. Oh boy....I did it again....ran on and on too much

[Yorkiekids]

Our vet is really good. He comes to the house to do all the shots.

[julietsmom]

So Julz, you don't tape the ears, just trim the hair and that seems to work to make the ears stand up?
BTW, your avatar looks like a little Boyd's bear. What a SWEETIE!!!!

Originally Posted by Julz

I start trimming the hair off the ears around 5 weeks old. You will be shocked at the amount of hair that comes off those little ears! This weighs them down and can deter the standing position. You will need to trim their nails way before that. It is very easy....I use human infant nail trimmers for them when they are so young. I never give a soaking bath until they are atleast 5 weeks old. Then you have to make sure they are completely dry so they don't catch a chill. You also have to watch you don't burn their sensitive skin and keep the drier moving, not in one position. Also, never let water get in their ears. I use a wash cloth on the face. Oh boy....I did it again....ran on and on too much

[misskate]

Originally Posted by julietsmom

I'm just wondering about the docking of the tails on the puppies. When do you do this? What is the roundabout cost of getting the tails docked? Also, if any of you have the time, can you run down the ball park estimate of costs after the puppies are born...for example, shots, tails being docked, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Must you dock the tail? Mine have theirs and all the pups in the shows here have long flowing ones. I was at the international on sunday and they were just lovely. Taping ears is a must and trimming the hair all throught their lives very necessary. It helps the ears and gives them a well groomed, well cared for look.

[Julz]

Originally Posted by julietsmom

So Julz, you don't tape the ears, just trim the hair and that seems to work to make the ears stand up?
BTW, your avatar looks like a little Boyd's bear. What a SWEETIE!!!!

I do not tape ears 99.5% of the time. It is a rare occassion to have to tape and when I do it is for a very short period of time. I see quite a few of downed ears that I can tell would have stood if the breeder trimmed the hair off at an early age. I trim it off 2-3 times total.

Thank you about my avatar....that is my Mercedes as a baby...about 7-8 weeks old. She is now almost 2 and a half years. She is actually sweeter than she is beautiful!

[its stephyylove]

Originally Posted by misskate

Must you dock the tail? Mine have theirs and all the pups in the shows here have long flowing ones. I was at the international on sunday and they were just lovely. Taping ears is a must and trimming the hair all throught their lives very necessary. It helps the ears and gives them a well groomed, well cared for look.

In Europe they don't dock tails.. Its in the AKC standards that ours have docked tails. BTW where in Italy are you from? I'm from Ferentino (Lazio)

[fannie]

I start shaving the ears and rears at 2 weeks old. Then I do it every 2 weeks until they go to their new home and I instruct the new owners to do the same. I only shave the top 1/3 of the ear, inside and out.