Puppy Help

[Ziggy]

General advice of our vet in this kind of heat. Bit of water in your hands and wet around the his head and ears…if he doesn’t mind it buy one those small mist sprays..we got one, battery operated with a small propeller on it so the spray is even finer. He might be a bit young for it, but you can try….

 

[ThatFragranceGuy]

Agree with adopt don't buy in certain examples but not in others, it's just not as cut and dried as that.

You may want specific breed characteristics, and many rescues can display unwanted behaviours (I'm involved with quite a few cat rehoming ones) and some require very experienced owners to help them out.

I have 2 Bengal kittens at the moment, and an 18 year old one and another 18 year old one passed away in March, would not have been possible to adopt instead of buying the first two and I episiotomy have changed them for all the tea in China. The two we have now just no way to have gotten two Bengal kittens at that age via adoption and as both work (even though I'm from home) so would likely be declined anyway apart from with certain associations.

I definitely commend people who do adopt but I have nothing at all against people who want to research and find a specific pet they want either - researching and selecting a pet should be very detailed process and the end result is very rewarding, as is adopting but a totally different experience.

In dogs for example, say you want a golden retriever, you'd research health checks like hip scoring, same with my case for bengals you would view Certificates of health tests, these can include but not limited to:

PKDef - Genetic mutation causing pyruvate kinase deficiency (life threatening anaemia).

PRA-b - Which causes autosomal recessive blindness in Bengal Cats.

PKD - Progressive inherited condition which causes cysts on kidneys & ultimately kidney failure, this is a swab & scan to be complete.

HCM is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat's heart to thicken, decreasing the heart's efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body. This is a scan that needs to be done annually as this is a progressive issue that is common in Bengals, a cat can be clear at 1 or 2 but can develop later in life, there is a huge variance as it can be mild & remain as is or can progress quickly

Realistically I wouldn't expect most rehoming orgs to go down to that level of testing down to costs, and without them it's anyones guess.

I agree many horrible breeders out there, but I don't think people should be robbed of the experience of a well raised kitten or puppy. I personally wouldn't use any website to find puppies or kittens as most reputable breeders will have a waiting list anyway. Tica for cats or Kennel club for dogs will list breeders in each area, do research on them, ask questions, look out for all the red flags (many lists of these online) and look for reviews - Facebook groups or Reddit etc for each breed is a great place to look (I run the Bengal one on Reddit) or just google breeder prefix and see what comes up.

Definitely don't pay pedigree prices for someone just breeding for the hell of it. Without working, vaccinations, microchipping, quality food, insurance and spending proper time with each litter, the profit margins can be insane. Very few reputable breeders make a lot of money. Some high end ones will do but majority will make a small amount and profits absorbed by costs and outlays (new studs for example)

 

[wilkos_perm]

You are correct to a certain extent, re-homing charities will make sure families with kids are matched with dogs with the right temperaments, and not just base don breed or the fact someone wants only certain kinds of dogs.

Someone like Dogs Trust for example, I dont think they even show puppies for rehoming on their website. You need to register your interest in a puppy, pass all the re-homing tests, then you will be contacted when a puppy comes available. If its a lurcher pup, then thats what it is. I think you could be in for a long wait if you want a specific breed.

So many horrendous puppy breeders out there who are only interested in cash and have no interest in the health and well being of the puppies.

Dogs Trust do show all the dogs for rehoming on the website and it never ever says anything other than older children or adults only. We attempted to go through the adoption route with numerous places unsuccessfully. We're not fussy, we'd have taken on anything that they felt wwas appropriate.
Eventually we ended up getting a puppy through a very carefully selected breeder. In the future with our next dog we'll probably pursue the adoption route again.

Totally agree that many breeders are horrendous and many of the fashionable breeds in my opinion are totally wrong in terms of the health issues that they've created.

 

[Philly-Red]

General advice of our vet in this kind of heat. Bit of water in your hands and wet around the his head and ears…if he doesn’t mind it buy one those small mist sprays..we got one, battery operated with a small propeller on it so the spray is even finer. He might be a bit young for it, but you can try….

My wife bought ours a paddling pool on Saturday. He gets treated better than I do!

 

[Ziggy]

My wife bought ours a paddling pool on Saturday. He gets treated better than I do!

Ha-ha. Ours is a water maniac. But only the sea or wild water…has been known to indulge in secret swimming pool invasions. Paddling pools are just a source of drinking water. She’s a bit of a tart

 

[Legz]

I work in a vets. We cant recommend companies but do recommend getting a lifetime policy, changing annually if the dog gets a lifelong problem will cost a fortune. Go on one of the compare sites so you can play around with what you want...mines only £6 something a month. Also sign up to the vets care plans. Where I work it means you get monthly flea and wormer, free yearly booster, free microchip, money off neutering etc.
I've never heard of the breeder giving first vaccinations, don't know how they would get hold of then. The microchip too is implanted by our vets/nurses and reception register then so they are all set up. I would get the pup in somewhere ASAP as the 2nd vaccination has to be exactly 4 weeks to the day of the first.

 

[ThatFragranceGuy]

I use pet plan for our cats; lifetime policy.

Whoever you use to via topcashback if on there, we got £100 cashback taking out a policy for our two new kittens which softens the blow

Topcashback

 

[WoodallServices]

If he’s unsure I’d also get the vets opinion on whether they think he’s actually 8 weeks old and not separated from his mother too early.

 

[The Ruthsayer]

My wife bought ours a paddling pool on Saturday. He gets treated better than I do!

For older dogs that suffer a little more and may not fancy a paddle, these cool coats that you run under a cold tap and squeeze out, are ideal. My geriatric border loves hers.

 

[Morton94]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
He's absolutely livened up, drinking, eating, running around like a maniac, nibbling!
Sorting his life insurance and a trip to the vets, however I feel like I just panicked this morning, I think he was just settling

For what it's worth, the breeder sent pictures all the time, asked to be in touch afterwards to know how he's doing and seemed like a genuinely decent bloke. Hopefully it's the start of a long, happy life, my Autistic daughter is infatuated with him and he with her. It's brightened up her COVID isolation no end!

 

[The Ruthsayer]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
He's absolutely livened up, drinking, eating, running around like a maniac, nibbling!
Sorting his life insurance and a trip to the vets, however I feel like I just panicked this morning, I think he was just settling

For what it's worth, the breeder sent pictures all the time, asked to be in touch afterwards to know how he's doing and seemed like a genuinely decent bloke. Hopefully it's the start of a long, happy life, my Autistic daughter is infatuated with him and he with her. It's brightened up her COVID isolation no end!

I do like a happy ending

 

[ThatFragranceGuy]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
He's absolutely livened up, drinking, eating, running around like a maniac, nibbling!
Sorting his life insurance and a trip to the vets, however I feel like I just panicked this morning, I think he was just settling

For what it's worth, the breeder sent pictures all the time, asked to be in touch afterwards to know how he's doing and seemed like a genuinely decent bloke. Hopefully it's the start of a long, happy life, my Autistic daughter is infatuated with him and he with her. It's brightened up her COVID isolation no end!

That is positive but as part of the insurance you will need to inform them of vaccination status. You normally get a card showing the injections given and the dates to act as a record.

Your breeder really needs to explain how they delivered those vaccinations in a car park because if anything happens related to that or those vaccines/ conditions they vaccinate against I've a feeling you won't be covered

 

[Stocko]

We have lifetime cover for our pup (a 9 month old Cocker Spaniel) so it means it will cover any ongoing issues for life rather than just the term of the policy (1 year). We took £7500 annual cover which will hopefully cover most eventualities. Ironically we had to use it almost immediately after she had a reaction to her second injection and had to rush her to the out of hours vets.. all good tho fortunately.

As already said get your little one to the vets for a good check over, we didn't get ours until 12 weeks rather than 8 so had a reasonable appetite by then so can't comment on what it was like at 8 weeks. They obviously only have small portions anyway at that age.

I would also suggest ice cubes as a sneaky way of getting some fluids in .. Willow loves chasing them around the kitchen floor as they slide about and we have made it into a game for her now which she goes nuts for!

Who’s that with? And what was cost if you don’t mind me asking, we just bought a new pup too, last dogs we had were insured on yearly basis, but 1 still cost £4500 for a life saving op.

 

[Glover_elbow]

I do like a happy ending

Thanks for the advice everyone!
He's absolutely livened up, drinking, eating, running around like a maniac, nibbling!
Sorting his life insurance and a trip to the vets, however I feel like I just panicked this morning, I think he was just settling

For what it's worth, the breeder sent pictures all the time, asked to be in touch afterwards to know how he's doing and seemed like a genuinely decent bloke. Hopefully it's the start of a long, happy life, my Autistic daughter is infatuated with him and he with her. It's brightened up her COVID isolation no end!

My youngest has autism and the bond she has with her dog is an absolute joy, the benefits they bring to their wellbeing are incredible.

 

[Teesste]

Who’s that with? And what was cost if you don’t mind me asking, we just bought a new pup too, last dogs we had were insured on yearly basis, but 1 still cost £4500 for a life saving op.

It’s with John Lewis and costs us about £21 per month I think.. as I said it’s lifetime cover, £7500 annual cover and £100 excess

 

[Morton94]

It’s with John Lewis and costs us about £21 per month I think.. as I said it’s lifetime cover, £7500 annual cover and £100 excess

Seen that one! It's up there with the best ones! I've gotta wait for his second injection as insurance companies prefer it so I've got a few weeks to decide!

 

[Morton94]

My youngest has autism and the bond she has with her dog is an absolute joy, the benefits they bring to their wellbeing are incredible.

Incredible isn't it, she's took to him amazingly and he absolutely adores her. Sometimes she comes home from school in an awful mood because of the noise all day, were hoping he'll help prevent meltdown because she already understands he doesn't like loud noises like her!

 

[xxlshirts_fit_all]

Hi, would you recommend the breeder? Did you go to his house? What were the conditions of the puppies parents home like? Did you get a choice of puppy or was this all done by photos?

It’s great that your pup is picking up and I hope you have many years of happiness from him but reading through the posts, the whole experience sounds very concerning..

I dont want to criticise you, it’s the bad breeders that are the problem…

 

[Morton94]

Hi, would you recommend the breeder? Did you go to his house? What were the conditions of the puppies parents home like? Did you get a choice of puppy or was this all done by photos?

It’s great that your pup is picking up and I hope you have many years of happiness from him but reading through the posts, the whole experience sounds very concerning..

I dont want to criticise you, it’s the bad breeders that are the problem…

No I complete understand your concerns!
I seen the pup with the mother yes, he was in a nice space and well looked after. The breeder kept us updated with him over the days that we waited to get him and communication was excellent. I'd probably recommend him

We got the choice of puppy to.
The only thing is the vaccine, I was under the impression it'd be done before he came, he does have his microchip though.

I'm ringing vets4pets today and I'll explain the whole thing to them, he's due his second vaccine in a few weeks so he'll probably get a check over to.

He's a lively, lovely dog. He's eating well now and drinking well, absolutely adores the garden and the sofa, really loving playing with the kids to.
We're all absolutely infatuated with him already! I'll keep everyone updated about him though and what the vets say

 

[Morton94]

No I complete understand your concerns!
I seen the pup with the mother yes, he was in a nice space and well looked after. The breeder kept us updated with him over the days that we waited to get him and communication was excellent. I'd probably recommend him

We got the choice of puppy to.
The only thing is the vaccine, I was under the impression it'd be done before he came, he does have his microchip though.

I'm ringing vets4pets today and I'll explain the whole thing to them, he's due his second vaccine in a few weeks so he'll probably get a check over to.

He's a lively, lovely dog. He's eating well now and drinking well, absolutely adores the garden and the sofa, really loving playing with the kids to.
We're all absolutely infatuated with him already! I'll keep everyone updated about him though and what the vets say

Also both mam and dad were pure bread I believe in great condition, happy family dogs.

My overall concern was his lack of drinking but that's eased massively now