Getting Ready to Pick up Puppy-YOUNG Help

[red98vett]

You're SO WELCOME ~ I would talk to your vet on how to prevent it because you can take precautions...there's lots of info on the net also regarding it - it's pretty common but doesn't have to happen - the untreated puppies can die from this which is what we came close to have happen with Chanel - they just dehydrate sooo much - it's scary ...I'm NEVER forget being in the ER and hearing about it - It's a Single Cell Organism most common in very young puppies.

Here so you can read - hope this helps someone
How are coccidia transmitted?

A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in its intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to its mother's feces and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes this has severe effects.

From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected kitten or puppy is contagious to other puppies. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?

The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.\

How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled?

Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.

[Stitches29]

We got to bring Maggie home at 8 weeks. Only because she was doing so well, and eating on her own. The breeder told me not to forget Maggie's Nutrical until she is at least 4 months old. Other than every once in a while she gets finicky about her food, she has done great. Today she got her first bath (10 weeks old) and did great. She goes for her second set of shots tomorrow.

[red98vett]

Congratulation on Maggie - her picture is adorable - sounds like you going to be a GREAT yorkie mom ~!

[Oscar's Mom]

We got Oscar at 6 weeks and he was only 8/10 of a pound! He was spunky and eating good tho and the breeder felt he would be alright. About a week and a half later, I noticed that his stool had mucous in it and just did not look normal. We were in Florida at the time staying in a campground so we asked around and found a really good vet to take him to. Out of a level four, he had level two coccidia. They put him on 1cc of Albon for 14 days and it cleared right up. Coccidia is not a parasite...it is a protozoa. The puppies do not get it at birth. They get it from the mom alright, but from coming into contact with her feces. Coccidia is also passed into the ground when infected feces is present and can infect a dog that way. It does not neccesarily mean a breeder is not clean, but it is very important to keep the mom's feces cleaned up so the pups can't get into it. Oscar got over the coccidia o.k. and then came down with a terrible case of ear mites. We went back to the same vet and they now have a one time treatment for earmites...drops in the ears once and you are done!!! So even tho he was a tiny little toot, he bounced back from all the crud he had...but none of that was in any way related to weight or stress. Oscar never had a stressed bone in his body! He came into our lives like he owned the world and has not looked back. We did keep a ziplock of Frosted Cheerios and gave him about 5 bites every few hours...just in case his sugar did something stupid...he loved them and still does! If you decide to get your pup early, take it to the vet, watch the pup closely for any changes in stool, watch for any changes in eating and watch the mood of the pup to make sure it does not all of a sudden get lethargic on you...the Frosted Cheerios were just a preventative measure for us and we never had an episode with Oscar. Best of luck with your baby!!!

Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom

"Greet everyone as you would your dog."

[Stitches29]

Thank you for the compliment Red. I was telling Maggie last night about how cute your dogs could smile. I bet we have taken 300 pictures of her in the last two weeks. Good thing for a digital camera. How did you teach your babies to smile? How old were they when they learned it? It is so cute.

[Bentley&BitsysMom]

My husband gives our dogs a few cherrios every morning! Bentely especially will pout if he doesn't get his cherrios, LOL!

[Oscar's Mom]

Oscar loves Cheerio's! That is one way we trained him to come when he had other things on his mind! All we had to say was "Cheerios's!" and he would come running! LOL These dogs are too smart for their own good!

Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom

"Greet everyone as you would your dog."

[Bentley&BitsysMom]

Originally Posted by Oscar's Mom

Oscar loves Cheerio's! That is one way we trained him to come when he had other things on his mind! All we had to say was "Cheerios's!" and he would come running! LOL These dogs are too smart for their own good!

Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom

"Greet everyone as you would your dog."

YES, they ARE, LOL!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I just wanted to add some more info on coccidia because it is so common. I have seen a lot of posts where the breeder is "blamed" for coccidia, but, in reality, probably 99% of puppies have the "potential" to develop coccidia because it doesn't necessarily come from the the "mother". It comes from fecal material which may be from the mom or from any other exposure to ground that has had fecal material on it.

The oocysts are ingested and may or may not develop into the disesase depending on the age and immunity strength of the puppy. A "stressed" puppy can develop it easily. "Stress" can mean something as simple as being exposed to a cold draft, switching food, being taken away from mom and siblings, new environment, etc. Basically any change in a young puppies routine is considered stress.

Here is a piece of an article printed by the Mar Vista Pet Clinic which explains that is not necessarily a sign of unsanitary conditions or breeder irresponsibility:

To be more precise, coccidia come from fecal-contaminated ground. They are swallowed when a pet grooms/licks the dirt off itself. In some cases, sporulated oocysts are swallowed by mice and the host is infected when it eats the mouse. Coccidia infection is especially common in young animals housed in groups (in shelters, rescue areas, kennels, etc.) This is a common parasite and is not necessarily a sign of poor husbandry.

[Oscar's Mom]

Just wanted to clarify that I did not "blame" the breeder for Oscar's coccidia...I think I said "It does not neccesarily mean a breeder is not clean, but it is very important to keep the mom's feces cleaned up so the pups can't get into it." I was just going on what the vet told us when we took Oscar for treatment. He also stated that the danger is greater in really tiny pups because the smaller they are the less they have to lose to become critical. He said he would not cease to worry about Oscar til he was 10 pounds...LOL...that ain't gonna happen! He is 5 pounds now at 7 months and does not seem to have grown much in the last couple of months. I have also had an American Bulldog pup who was infected with coccidia and the breeder of that pup stated that it was in the ground in her kennel. Your information is legit...just don't want anybody thinking I was blaming breeders for this problem. I have raised litters and know how difficult it is to keep all the poop scooped all the time...it is next to impossible. Most breeders I know do a good job...my hat is off to you all!

Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom

"Greet everyone as you would your dog."

[skimandfrank]

I got Pebbles at 10 wks & I got Skittles at 7 wks. I'm glad I got Skittles early, but she cried a lot more at first than Skittles did - as far as Skittles health & demeanor - she's doing tremendous!

[moonvalley]

if Cloe can stay nursing on the mother for another 2-4 weeks. Offer to pay an extra 50-100 dollars if the breeder hesitates.

I asked our breeder Paulo for an extra month- and he agreed quickly and without a problem.

Best of luck.

deborah