potential puppy.......???problems????

[debi_s]

I feel like I have posted this message so many places I may have already put it out here for you all...but here I go again. I am currently looking for a female yorkie puppy and I have a story that sounds weirdly similar to "beakerboy" mom. I found a puppy somewhat nearby and I spoke to the breeder a few times on the phone. She said she had one female that was "old enough" to go but she was holding her for another week or two because she had not gained / grown enough. I thought this was good handling on her part....I drove 2 hours to see this puppy and she was adorable....looked really good until I held her. I could feel her ribs (!!!!!). Otherwise she looked 'fine'. She has a nice coat....good color and thick...no skin patches...no unusual smells...eyes clear...no runny eyes or nose. She was very active....wriggling and licking and loving. I am a pediatric home nurse and I had my infant scales with me so I weighed her...(the breeder was a bit surprised I did this)..at age 10-11 weeks she weighed 13 ounces. I also held some 3 week old pups and they felt like "full, round belly" puppies.....(no "ribs"). The breeder said she was probably just a 'runt'. She said she had "tweeked" her diet a bit the past 2 weeks and she was doing better. She was feeding puppy chow but now adding some kind of special food and giving Nutra-Cal once per day. The breeder said she eats well and has normal poops. I intend to re-visit in a week and re-weigh this puppy. What kind of weight gain should I expect to see??? Any ideas on anything else to look for or check??? I gave the lady a $100 deposit...actually "option"....I can back out if necessary but, of course, I was also inpatient....but will have to wait for a later litter ....which is OK if I MUST!!! This breeder does her own shots and all so this puppy has not been seen by a vet. Would you all not take a puppy to be checked if necessary??? Because I am a peds nurse I imagine all kinds of heart problems or metabolic stuff. Should I continue to consider this puppy or should I avoid her like the plague???? Any responses.....Any direction????
Thanks a MILLION!!!!!!!

[mmyorkies]

I would insist that that puppy be seen by a vet and checked for health problems, either by yourself, or the breeder. Also ask about Livershunt problems, and if she guarntees against it. Have the pup bile acid tested.What kind of guarntee does the breeder give?

[Gracie'sMommy]

13 oz. seems very small at 10-11 weeks, but I guess that depends on how big her parents were? My 11 week old weighs 1 lb. 6 oz. Now, I will say that I can feel her ribs too. For that matter I can feel pretty much every bone in her body! But she has no body fat, so I would that that is expected. She eats good, but hasn't gained any weight in the two weeks I've had her. She was 1.6 when I brought her home, 1.5 a week later, and 1.6 again this week. My breeder said she would be small, about 4 lbs. when fully grown because her mom was a 5 lb'er and her dad was a 3 lb'er. The vet says she's perfectly healthy, her poops are fine and regular, and she is getting more active by the day! I feed her Royal Canin puppy food and my vet said to supplement her with Nutrical 3 times a day for the next couple of months. I also give her canned chicken for breakfast with her hard food.

I would definitely want a vet to check your puppy out before you take her home. Are the parents on sight that you can see them, or other puppies from the litter? If they are bigger parents, then she's undoubtedly the runt of the litter but if they are small, she may just be a small puppy!

Just my two cents worth, I'm by no means a professional Yorkie person since Gracie is my first and I've only had her for two weeks! But I did a lot of research on the breed before I got her...

[schatzie]

I sure liked everything that "Gracie'smommy" said...

You sound like you are being real cautious in this puppy purchase and that is great!! You are not letting your emotions get the best of you by just seeing an "adorable puppy"...

Let us all know how this all works out, we wish you and your possible puppy the best. If she turns out healthy and is given a clean bill of health by her's and your vet, and you get her, send us pictures.

[Gracie'sMommy]

Originally Posted by schatzie

I sure liked everything that "Gracie'smommy" said...

Why, thank you! As I said, I'm no pro at this (yet!) but I talked with quite a few breeders and read lots of stuff before getting Gracie, and I feel comfortable with the choice I made.

Right or wrong, my breeder intentionally breeds smaller Yorkies. She has them bred back 4 generations, and both parents were on site when I saw them, and I got great references from her (which I checked thoroughly). I know there is no such thing as "tiny" or "teacup" Yorkies, but I knew I wanted a small one, and that's what I got.

[avborges]

Gracie's Mom,

I got a new puppy from Brazil 3 days ago. Nina and I arrived in the US today and I am full of concerns, such as weather, potty training, flu, pet food and people's food... I wish you and your puppy the best of luck. Since I am also a newcomer and Nina is my first baby, I would love to read about your progress with your puppy so I can learn some more. Good luck to both of you!

[debi_s]

Thanks sooooooo much for everyone's input.....this is the prize-winning web site....I have left this post all over the place but this is the first one to get ANY activity!!!! Like I said I thought this puppy looked fine....I was just worried about the weight and feeling her ribs. This breeder "says" she gives a health guarantee but I think I am going to insist on something specific and in writing..... Yes, the parents are on site....mom is sorta small but nothing like a "teacup" (major yorkie fault!!)... and dad is smallish also....my last yorkie was over 13 pounds so of course this mom/dad look like 'half-pints'... I intend to get her on a weekday so I can get her to the vet next day...I really think my vet wants me to pass on this one... but I really fell in love with her....and have been searching for a good dog for a while. I think I am going to end this right quick....my 21 month old grand-daughter keeps playing with the keyboard and I'm afraid she is going to send out a cuss word or some crazy message to the space-station....she can do things like that!!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

[LittleBeakerBoy]

Originally Posted by debi_s

I feel like I have posted this message so many places I may have already put it out here for you all...but here I go again. I am currently looking for a female yorkie puppy and I have a story that sounds weirdly similar to "beakerboy" mom. I found a puppy somewhat nearby and I spoke to the breeder a few times on the phone. She said she had one female that was "old enough" to go but she was holding her for another week or two because she had not gained / grown enough. I thought this was good handling on her part....I drove 2 hours to see this puppy and she was adorable....looked really good until I held her. I could feel her ribs (!!!!!). Otherwise she looked 'fine'. She has a nice coat....good color and thick...no skin patches...no unusual smells...eyes clear...no runny eyes or nose. She was very active....wriggling and licking and loving. I am a pediatric home nurse and I had my infant scales with me so I weighed her...(the breeder was a bit surprised I did this)..at age 10-11 weeks she weighed 13 ounces. I also held some 3 week old pups and they felt like "full, round belly" puppies.....(no "ribs"). The breeder said she was probably just a 'runt'. She said she had "tweeked" her diet a bit the past 2 weeks and she was doing better. She was feeding puppy chow but now adding some kind of special food and giving Nutra-Cal once per day. The breeder said she eats well and has normal poops. I intend to re-visit in a week and re-weigh this puppy. What kind of weight gain should I expect to see??? Any ideas on anything else to look for or check??? I gave the lady a $100 deposit...actually "option"....I can back out if necessary but, of course, I was also inpatient....but will have to wait for a later litter ....which is OK if I MUST!!! This breeder does her own shots and all so this puppy has not been seen by a vet. Would you all not take a puppy to be checked if necessary??? Because I am a peds nurse I imagine all kinds of heart problems or metabolic stuff. Should I continue to consider this puppy or should I avoid her like the plague???? Any responses.....Any direction????
Thanks a MILLION!!!!!!!

yes your story does sound simaler to mine... the women i bought the puppy from also did her own shots... which i did not like either... but the puppy was brought to the vet when he was not eating....beaker was very bony and still is, but yet he eats and poops fine too.... he is 4 months on the first and is still under a pound and a half... hes just very tiny... It is scary to me to think that something could end up happening to my little beaker boy... but i wont give up on him..... the women to gave me a garuntie.... but i didnt get it in writing... very stupid on my part... Do what is definitly right to you, and i wish u the best of luck....