Welcome to YT, and congratulations on your new little one. I have had more than one baby weigh in at the smaller size, although they all eventually reached 5 pounds. I always gave them rabies vaccines, as mandated, but my vet recommended a baby benedryl before. More than one of my puppies were sore, and cried out when moving, for the first day after their shots, but they were back to their wriggly selves by day two. For the smaller ones I always split their shots up, and do not have them administered on the same day. I groom my own, and do not board, so I have never given them kennel cough vaccine.
Yes the really small pups can be a real challenge when it comes to keeping them safe! Gus came home at just over/under one pound (depending what time he had last eaten). He is a very spirited little soul, and would even attempt to leap from the arm of one sofa to the next when he was younger. Nothing would stop him when he was a puppy., but he has developed luxtating patellas as he has aged, and is not quite so difficult to control now...we are getting him used to being lifted onto the sofa, etc. now.
I have loved all of my little ones dearly, and even had one boy who had champions in his lineage, but have resisted the urge to ever breed. Unfortunately, the responsibility to improve the breed, and be aware of all of the "unknowns" that could be involved which would result in babies with health concerns just seemed too overwhelming to me. My advice would be to have him neutered, for his future health and longevity. I would suggest that you wait until he is grown enough to know that he will not be too small to be safe with another dog before making the decision, but you can always consider bringing in a "pack mate" into the family in the future.
Best of luck, and spend tons of time enjoying the wonderful "puppy stage", which always passes too fast! |