Ugh, neighbor adopted 6 week old Yorkie mix I'm putting this in the "sick & injured / Emergency Talk" section because I fear for the poor puppy my neighbor adopted today. It's a 6-week-old Yorkie mix that the "breeder" gave up because she couldn't afford the shots. I haven't even spoken to my neighbor yet, but I want to be prepared with as much advice as I can muster. Any ideas on care of a puppy that left the litter too soon would be appreciated. I'm upset because the responsible breeders I know wait until 12 weeks to adopt out Yorkie puppies. The extra time with Mom and siblings helps immensely with their socialization, especially with littles who may be a little more timid about the world. Anyhow, my questions: Would you treat a 6-week-old puppy any differently than an older puppy? Is it OK to crate them when not home? How long away is too long away? Should we introduce the puppy to other known dogs before she has her first shots? With a 12-week-old, I would immediately expose to as many people and dogs as possible, but I'm not sure whether a 6-week-old can handle it. Any advice would be appeciated. |
Don't know to much about poppies this young but until it's had all it's shots it should not be exposed to other dogs. Especially Parvo shot. That disease is a killer that I do know as my son years ago brought home a pit puppy and she had Parvo and almost dies, Great Vet saved her but her digestion system was never normal after that |
Hi Mike, My oh my. Comments regarding our recent experience follow. --KatysMom Vaccines. PetMD recommends the DA2PP vaccines at 7, 10, 12 and 16 weeks. Lil Dutch came from the breeder with her first round of the DA2PP vaccine, and then had three more rounds here in Arizona--at 11-1/2, 14 and 17 weeks. Our vet wouldn't administer rabies until she was over 3 lbs, so she got that one at 14 weeks. We didn't want to administer bordetella at the same time as the rabies, so she had that at 17 weeks (we did NOT do intranasal). We did NOT administer vaccines for Lyme or leptospirosis. Our vet didn't want the little one on the ground in public areas until 7 days AFTER the last round of DA2PP because of possible parvo laying on surfaces. Thus, our stinker finally gets her walking papers tomorrow when she'll be 18-weeks old. Dutch has been out and about in the stroller since she arrived here. We didn't allow third parties to pet her until after she'd had her rabies shot. Even in the stroller, there was not much touchy feely with other canines until she'd had her bordetella. Alone. Cutting to the chase, until this little one is at least 12 weeks it could be traumatic for the pup to be left alone for more than the time it takes to use the restroom or take out the trash. Aside from trauma, it would be health emergency if the pup knocked over the water or tossed the food so that it was somehow out of range. To crate or not to crate. I had read some articles that discouraged the use of a crate with young, small pups, as the authors felt the space was too confining. Our breeder was using an x-pen, so we opted to go with that kind of set up believing it would be one less adjustment she'd have to make. Dutch's pen is 36X72. Her pee pad is at one end and the rest is space for food/water/toys/play/mischief, etc. |
Oh boy Mike :rolleyes:...this is indeed a tough one. This young one will need to eat *at least* 4 times a day -- and possibly more than that if it shows hypoglycemia, which is so common in yorkie puppies as you know. They should get Nutrical or similar asap, to have on hand. They should not be taking this pup to dog parks, outdoor dog areas, or introducing to other dogs. Even if/when at the vet or a pet food store, they should not put the puppy on the floor. Very important for them to know how to assess vital signs, gums, etc: HERE This is YT's new yorkie parent guide - and it has some very helpful links about all kinds of stuff: HERE Vaccine info from this thread, which has add'l pertinent info: Basic vaccine schedule is as follows (via Dr. Dodds): 9-10 weeks old - Distemper + Parvo 14-16 weeks old - same as above 20 weeks or older (or as required by your State Law): Rabies Another Vaccine Schedule via WSAVA / VGG 8-9 weeks old - Distemper + Parvo 11-12 weeks old - same as above 14-16 weeks old - same as above 12 weeks or older - rabies 1 Year Boosters: at 1 year: Distemper + Parvo booster at 1 year (at least 3wks apart from above shot): Rabies Booster (3 yr vaccine) |
Oh my, absolutely so socializing with dogs or other animals nor walking outside or taking them other people's homes the until all vaccines are given. First vaccine is given at 8 weeks old, so this baby has to be isolated. Thank you for being such a caring person and I hope your neighbor follows your advise. I have a neighbor that does not vaccinate her dogs no matter how much I have stressed to her the impotence of vaccines, she feels by not allowing her dog outdoors he is safe, even tho I explained that parvo can be carried in on the soles of shoes she still will not spend the money for vaccines. |
Poor pup. They can not be left alone as long as a older puppy or possibly not at all because they need to eat more often and risk hypoglycemia. They also need to be kept warm better. Parvovirus is obviously a big scary risk so the pup really shouldn't go any where or have other people come in until at least the first set of shots maybe not until the second. I think about some of the issues I had with Joey who was 9 weeks and can’t imagine 6 weeks. Joey had terrible separation anxiety like would get in the shower with you it was so bad. Biting was also an issue because he didn’t have his mom and siblings to teach him. It’s not like the puppy could get shots until 8 weeks so the “breeder” could at least have kept him that long. I will never understand why people who shouldn’t breed do. I saw some other advice about shots so just putting in my 2 cents. Hope the pup makes it without issue. |
Thank you, everyone! |
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