Hi, Everybody.
I´ve just found this nice community and immediately signed in. I´m from Brazil ang got my puppy a week ago. It´s nice to know that such a great community exist so I can interact woth other Corgi lovers. They are very rare in Brazil. In fact, my own came from Argentina. His name is Braddock, is 12 weeks old and a very handsome little fella. He is very smart too. It just took me a couple of hours to finish potty training and he never missed again. He also learned a couple of tricks as well.
You might have had this kind of discussion before but the thing is: He is too quiet and sleepy. I know there´s the adjustment thing but I thought he would be a little more energetic between one nap and another. By the way, some naps can take hours!! I think he could release more energy had I taken him to the street for walks but the breeder from Argentina strongly adviced me not to take him to the street (I live in a condo) until after the last vaccine shot, which is due for April 25th.
Is it normal? He doesn´t complain, growl or bark (except during plays). I want him to be a quiet little gentleman. I´m just concerned that there might be something wrong.
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Congratulations on your new puppy and welcome. You can take a stool sample to the Vet before the actual visit, to check for parasites, frequent in pups his age. Or, better, schedule a new puppy check up and bring a fresh stool sample with you. The Vet can advise you on puppy management and issues specific to your area.
Hello there, Congrats on your new puppy first off. They are such sweet bundles of love its hard not to worry about them. You have already received some great advice from the wonderful people here and I must agree with them. As soon as you can scheduled your well puppy exam.
I see you have had your little one for a week now. Some stress and even depression can happen during that first week. Love and attention are a must. However, if you are worried and want to feel useful until you can get to the vet, there is something you can try. Offer milk, goats milk is the best, with a bit of honey mixed in. This will not only offer the puppy easily digestible nutrients but will lift its calcium, sugars and magnesium levels which can fall during times of high stress in little ones. If he perks up a bit then continue this for a few days to help re-regulate his little body. (1/4tsp honey in a cup of milk given 1/4 cup 2xs a day.)
I am sure you have checked the pup head to toe by now during all the snuggle time you've been enjoying, make a note of anything that might have seemed worrisome (swollen discolored gums, dirty ears or an odor in ears, broken or curling toenails, etc) and let your Vet know during your appointment. Remember there is no stupid questions and you are allowed to worry! ^.^
Is he doing better?
I think he is doing better. He´s been more playful and I got him new toys he likes better than the previous ones. I´ll be taking him to the vet but the breeder in Argentina strongly recommended me to just take him out of home if it is absolutely necessary. Since he is doing better with the quietness I´ll wait until April 25th (scheduled day for his last shot).
Two other things are concerning me and you all might be able to help. One is behavioral. He is barking back a lot when we say no. I don´t know whether he is associating the word "no" to playfulness or he is challenging the authority. How should I deal with this?
The other issue is related to fleas. He was scratching himself and I found a couple of fleas on him. He probably came with them. I contacted the breeder and he recommended me that spray product puppies can use from 2 days of age (I don´t know if I´m allowed to name brands here). I used it but maybe I didn´t do the right way because his fur is too thick, he was stressed with the situation and I am not experienced with it. Maybe the product didn´t reach his skin. The point is: If his scratching doesn´t cease and I find fleas (which means I didn´t do it the right way), can I try again after a few days? Also, can you recommend me the best prevention treatment for the environment? My home has hardwood floors and I know it´s the worst kind of floor to get fleas. I´ve heard you can use stuff like triatox mixed with water but to which proportion? How long should I leave the product in a room before using it again? Do I need to wash it afterwards or a simple moping can do the job?
I´d really appreciate your help again.
Hey Thomaz,
I live in Louisiana, which is also a subtropical climate, so I'm constantly struggling with fleas. I use a product called Triflexis for fleas, but it also controls heartworms and other internal parasites. It is a chewable pill you can give your dog once a month with food. (I give it to Fauna covered in peanut butter, but my mom's dogs will eat them by themselves). I'm not sure if it is available in Brazil, but I know there are a few similar products on the market in North America which might be available in South America. It is only available in the US and Canada through a veterinarian. I'm almost positive it it safe for young puppies. I've also used a product called Advantage Multi. It is a liquid you apply to the back of there neck. It works very well, and I use the cat version on my cat. The only problem I have with Advantage and similar topical products is that you must wait about a week before you can wash your dog and I've found it to be effective for only 2-3 weeks on dogs (probably because they do get bathed regularly). Advantage Multi is supposed to last 4 months on dogs. That product and similar ones are also only available through vets in the USA and Canada. With many manufacturers making prescription strength topical flea treatments, I'm sure there is one available in Brazil. When you see the vet next week, ask them which treatment they recommend. Also, some animals do have reactions to strong flea medications, so call your vet if your dogs seems to sick, tried, or develops a rash after using a medication.
Also ask about heartworm preventative at the vet. Heartworm is a parasite carried by mosquitoes and it a problem year-round in warm climates. That disease is deadly and will shorten your dogs live considerably. It is much easier to prevent that to treat. It can also infect cats.
There is only one flea product I've purchased from the pet store that works to control fleas on puppies. It's a flea and tick shampoo called Adams (http://www.adamsfleacontrol.com/en). It works for about 5 days for fleas, but I don't think it works well for ticks. Other shampoos are typically not safe for young puppies or don't work well.
Adams also makes a fogger that kills fleas, roaches, and other insects in your house. You and your pets must be out of the house for several hours after setting off the fogger. The fogger works great to kills fleas in your home and repeal them for many months. But if you don't treat your dog, he will continue to pick up fleas every time you go outside. I've never heard or triatox before.
Don't waste your money on flea collars or other non-prescription flea treatments from the pet store. The flea and tick shampoo doesn't work as well as Triflexis and Advantage, but will help if you use it regularly.
The breeder probably didn't want to you to take the puppy for a long walk, or on a bus or train. If you transport him in a personal vehicle to a vet, you shouldn't be at much risk for picking up diseases. Some taxis will also transport you and your animal if you have them in a secure carrier. We use a SturdiPet carrier (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N65VPI/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_...), which is approved for many airlines, trains, and subway systems.
Hope that helps!
ok, if the puppy has fleas, please PLEASE take him to the vet asap! you need to get the proper flea treatment, the vet can help you discuss the best methods to remove fleas from your home but please do not delay in treating your puppy. and if you don't know what kind of spray the "breeder" recommended, or haven't heard anything about it, maybe don't use it?
the behavioral issues a vet can also discuss with you, but you'll need to work on a regimented training schedule to get the puppy used to taking commands from you and to recognize your authority.
i'm not sure why the breeder was so adamant of you not taking him out of the house, as socialization needs to continue, and is very important to puppy development. unless they lied about what shots he's had or there is an illness risk with the litter they're not telling you about.
but he's had some issues, he's had a rough/stressful trip to see you (doesn't matter if the plane ride is 30 minutes or 3 hours, air and pressure changes and temperature changes = flights are stressful for animals) and now he has a flea infestation.
please, take him to the vet. leaving him to suffer fleas needlessly till the 25th is just not good for the health and well-being of your puppy.
Flea-borne diseases cause different but sometimes overlapping symptoms. Flea allergy dermatitis is perhaps the most common disease that affects dogs; it is an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea results in extreme itchiness, swelling, and respiratory distress.
There are two different internal parasites that dogs can get from fleas. Tapeworms are the most common, and evidence of those worms can be found in the fecal matter of an infected dog. There is another worm that affects the dog less frequently known as dipetalonema reconditum, which is a worm that lives under the skin of the dog and can cause extreme itchiness.
Tularemia is a disease that causes fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy in dogs. It is not a common infection but can be devastating when it is present in a dog of any age.
Haemobartonellosis is transmitted by both fleas and ticks. The disease causes a dog to become anemic and may also cause it to lose weight due to a lack of appetite. Cats can also suffer from this disease.
I also think the breeder gave you some bad advice. Just because she (or he) is a professional dog breeder doesn't mean she is an expert on dog health.
When dogs are transported on airplanes, they are often held in areas with many other dogs that may be sick or have fleas. In the USA, we actually have to get a vet exam for our dogs at least 10 days before they are sent on a plane as checked baggage or cargo. Almost any vet in the USA would tell you take a young puppy into their office within 72 hours of coming into your house, especially if they were exposed to other animals while in transit.
I really appreciate all your advices. Thank you so much! I´m taking him to the vet tomorrow then. I´m just concerned that I might need a second opinion because in a third world place it´s not uncommon for so-called professionals not to know what they are doing. Sometimes they even prescribe what´s beyond necessary just to get more money from you. My last dog (a cocker spaniel named Tara) passed away 8 years ago and I haven´t contacetd a vet since. My friends who own dogs also don´t have a reliable one to refer to. There are thousands of vets here in Rio and I just hope the one a pick is a good one. I´ll see what happens and let you know.
Haha, sounds like Louisiana! I've been through a number of vets here too! The vet I first took Fauna to was very thorough and is extremely popular here, but charged about twice what other vets in the area do for regular services. She is very into "over prescribing" services just to make more money. My former vet actually re-vaccinated dog when I first brought her in for a general check-up just because "she didn't trust the shelter." That was actually just her excuse to charge me for services I don't need, especially since I know they did indeed vaccinate her. But as a nervous owner of a new puppy, I let her convince me that I didn't do this, then I wasn't putting the best interests of my dog first! After doing some research, I've learned that over-vaccinating has be associated with health problems in dogs. I think the people at that clinic are actually better salesmen than they are vets.
Luckily, I took my cat to a different vet recently and I'm much happier with their service and prices. He actually solved the mystery of my cat's long-term digestive problem and prescribed a very affordable medication to help her digestion! I'll be using the vet from now on for my dog too. Both of these vets graduated from the same university, but have very different attitudes towards service and treatment.
As a good rule of thumb for seeing a new vet - don't be afraid to ask how much the service you need costs before agreeing to it.
Hopefully things go well tomorrow. But if not and you struggle to find a good vet, I know many people in the USA who take their pets to veterinary clinics at universities. Do some research and find out which university in the area has the most respected veterinary science program (that grants doctor of veterinary medicine degrees, not vet technician degrees). Maybe UFRRJ? http://r1.ufrrj.br/wp/iv/estrutura/hospital-veterinario/setor-de-pe... You can call that university and see if you bring your dog their for regular check-ups. In the USA, those university clinics are often more expensive than private vet clinics, but vet students are overseen by respected, seasoned professionals and have access to the newest and best medicines and equipment. You could also look for private clinics that are owned by vet school faculty. My new vet is actually a professor at my local university, but I take my animals to his private clinic instead of the university because it's cheaper.
I'm glad you are taking him to the vet tomorrow. If you have any questions regarding what the vet says please feel free to ask here. Everyone here is happy and willing to help when it comes to our corgis or any other dog for that matter.
I have asked a friend in Brazil to let me know if he knows anyone with dogs in Rio who could recommend a good veterinarian. I will let you know if he does. If not, the internet should have some recommendations when you are looking, since people will share what their experience has been, on many forums. Best of luck, and please invest in a digital thermometer, it is good to take your puppy's temp (with a little vaseline, gently insert in the behind) so you know what is "normal" for your dog, and that way you will be able to tell if there is something wrong like an infection, in the future. Ask the vet lots of questions, get the most for your money during the visit. Also, please make sure you are feeding your dog quality food, preferably "grain free" - there are many, many discussions on this site, as well as a survey, regarding what we are feeding. Keep safe treats and toys around, stay away from raw hide treats which are indigestible and can cause choking and intestinal blockages. We look forward to your pictures and updates!
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