What's the first thing I should do?

[Mefem2002]

Hi, I am picking up my puppy tonight after work. I think I am all ready for him
(Duke). What hints or tips can you give me? (He's 7 weeks old, and will have had his first shots, and I have a vet appointment for him for tomorrow). Thank you in advance !!

Mary Lou

[LuvMySissy]

Congratulations on your new pup! Nutrical (available at PetsMart and other pet stores) should be kept on hand. Very young pups, especially those who are small, have hypoglycemic tendencies. Make sure you keep food out for your pup (dry kibble) and that he eats at least three times a day. Supplement with a dollop of Nutrical if he isn't eating well and right before bedtime to help keep his blood sugar up.

I highly recommend a bell n a collar or harness so you are aware when he is underfoot. It is easy to step on these little guys. Since he is still very young, he may also have difficulty regulating body temperature. There are newer pads that have a heat surface in them (also available at PetsMart or other pet stores), or you can use a heating pad on the lowest setting. Doggie sweaters, hoodies and t-shirts also help them keep warm.

I'm sure there are lots of other things as well. But this should give you a good start. Good luck!!

[Mefem2002]

Thank you, I have a ton of sweaters for him, blankets, etc. i have read about the hypoglycemia and have some honey and kayro syrup on hand, but I will ask my Vet about the Nutrical tomorrow. I will be home with him over the weekend, but have to work Mon-Friday days. Will he be okay if I just leave him food and water? Should I put some Kayro Syrup in his water dish? or would that be too much? (I'd love to sneak him into the office, but there's a policy on our campus of no animals in the buildings) I am so afraid to leave him home
Thank you again... (I have his crate next to the heat source so he should be warm !!) I just want to be sure I do this right !

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Mefem2002

Thank you, I have a ton of sweaters for him, blankets, etc. i have read about the hypoglycemia and have some honey and kayro syrup on hand, but I will ask my Vet about the Nutrical tomorrow. I will be home with him over the weekend, but have to work Mon-Friday days. Will he be okay if I just leave him food and water? Should I put some Kayro Syrup in his water dish? or would that be too much? (I'd love to sneak him into the office, but there's a policy on our campus of no animals in the buildings) I am so afraid to leave him home
Thank you again... (I have his crate next to the heat source so he should be warm !!) I just want to be sure I do this right !

I'm not an expert, but I seem to remember hearing that honey can be very bad for them. Karo syrup is okay and can be added to the water. I'm not sure how much - I would check with the vet on this.

Since you will be gone during the day, I would leave food and water available for him during the day, which means you will also want to leave some wee wee pads down and hope he uses them. A pup this young should probably not be crated that long, so consider a room (with a tile floor for easy cleaning) with the doorway blocked off for his space while you are gone. I used to use our 1/2 bath for Sissy where she has a bed, food/water and toys.

As an added precaution don't leave a collar on him while you are gone and you might also want to leave him "naked" during this time so he doesn't get tangled in his clothes or caught on anything.

Hopefully your vet will be skilled working with very small pups, but in case they aren't, please do not allow more than one vaccination to be given at a time and space others out at least 3 weeks apart. This requires more visits, but is much safer for the pup.

Please post LOTS of pictures when you bring him home!!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Congrats on your new pup! Luvmysissy has given you lots of great advice!

[Patti]

Congrats. SInce he is so young I would just make sure you keep a very close watch for sign of hypoglycemia. They can go down very fast with this. Make sure he is eating, so if free feeding count the food you put down so you will know he is eating. Definately get Nutrical and ask the vet if you shoud give it to him before you are leaving for the day. If at all possible can you or someone check on him during the day? Read all you can on taking care of a tiny puppy. Knowledge can save their lives if they become ill. Other than that enjoy your baby!!!

[LunasMomma]

Congrats on your new puppy! You've gotten the best advice out there, from experienced Yorkie Mommies All I can add is to stress the importance of making sure that he's eating, as I almost lost my little Luna to hypoglycemia VERY scary! Good luck with him, and I can't wait to see some pics I bet he's darling!

[LunasMomma]

Oh, yeah, one more thing READ all you possibly can here, I learned so much from this site Especially the sick/emergency forum, there are some sad stories there, but also a lot of good "what to do in case of" tips there

[chestermama]

puppy proff the house leave the toilet seat down of course he is still young for that, keep him in a small area, they can be burgers to potty train, lots of loving, good quality food since they are small they need good stuff, innova, solid gold, canidaie. stay away from science diet, iams, purina eukanuba. find out what he has been eating and start new food after he is settled in and change food over a week or so, they have sensitive tummies most of them, socialize them well after he has had some of his shots, it makes a difference. soft blankets they get cold easy, and lots of praise they want to please you. have fun and enjoy congradulations.

[Mefem2002]

Thanks for all the great advice. Duke came home last night but I am thinking of changing his name to Whizzer, he pees on everything He had his first vet visit today and at 7 weeks is only .6 of a pound(that's POINT 6 !!) He is soooo tiny. but so cute, eats like a small horse and loves to play. He never cried at all lst night and loves his "crate" The only issue will be the potty training... Vet said he seems healthy, all except for his size. But it's just me here, and I will be very gentle with him.
Thank you all again, I am sure I will be asking lots of questions

[Boodad]

That sure is a small boy. 7 weeks? I bet hes cute. Pics?

[Patti]

Oh he sounds so cute. He is really tiny so be extra careful to watch for signs of hypoglycemia.

[Hokule'a]

Ooh, that's tiny 'and' young. Will you be able to come home and check on him on the days that you work? I'd be careful of leaving him alone too long but that's just my opinion. BTW, congratulations

[chattiesmom]

Congratulations! Would love to see pics of your little Whizzer.

[chachi]

Congrats! Wow your little guy is tiny. I thought my girl was tiny when I brought her home. She was 12 oz. Be sure to have some nutrical on hand and make sure he eats good for you