PUPPY CARE
Your new baby will
need to be kept on the same food as I feed here for a while.
You can slowly switch
the baby over to a different food safely, if you gradually change it, taking about one week to do so.
But, I do suggest you do the following:
The dry food that
I feed here is: Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin.
I feed this food because it is primarily Salmon.
And has some Probiotics included.
Since I have had the westies on this food,
I have to say their coats are even more amazingly gorgeous, thick and nicely textured.
I also supplement with "Bio-Coat" a wonderful
Bitoin supplement and I always give extra probiotics, such as "Ben Bac" or "Probios"
Plus, I include stomach enzymes.
The Enzymes and Ben Bac keep the good bacteria
in the stomach, allowing so much more of the nutrtion to be utilized.
And also keeping the intestines clean, and
in doing that, it keeps toxins out.
Allergies and infections can't grow effectivly
when the toxins are not present.
Stay away
from beef, wheat, soy, brewers yeast and corn.
If you are unable
to shop anywhere except in a grocery store, I recommend Purina ONE lamb and rice.
And now even better, they have Purina ONE
Sensitive Systems (which is the same as the ProPlan Salmon)
As far as a RAW
diet or a Barf diet, my own thoughts are: I would rather see a semi raw diet and no offense to dedicated raw feeders.
But, I have never seen a coat fed on raw that can compare to a kibble or raw and kibble fed dog. Also the color
seems to darken and stain with the raw.
I think it is very
difficult to be sure a raw diet has all it needs and this is my own thoughts....
WATER
when you bring your
baby home, use bottled water, gradually changing over to your water and again taking about a week to do so.
You can have wonderful
water in your home, but it is still different than what the baby is used to having.
Taking a week to
change water and feed, prevents awful messes and a baby with an upset tummy!
CHEWING
prevent your baby
chewing precious things of yours,
by supplying him
or her with plenty of their own goodies.
I have baskets full
of toys and chews in almost every spot of the ranch.
There are natural
cookies, fun toys, balls that you can hide goodies in, and I still like the good old rawhide.
With the rawhide,
I usually buy large rawhide bones, and as they chew, be sure and cut off any straggly pieces, we don't want baby to swallow
any pieces, just have fun chewing and teething.
SHOPPING
When you go baby
shopping:
You will need a
crate that will last and fit, when your baby is grown.
This is called a
200 or 300 series.
You will want a
nice soft snugly pad or blanket.
2 dishes for
water, and crocks works great!
If you are shipping
you will need two dishes (please don't forget)
I like a stuffed
soft animal as a friend for shipping and chew toys.
If you do not have
an enclosed area for your baby and wish you did, look up the exercise pens, they are great! I use them alot at the dog
shows, they fold up easily and set up into a 4x4 foot play area.
SHIPPING
When shipping by
air, we use Northwest VIP, Delta Pet First or Alaskan/Horizon Air.
I generally will
ship to neighboring states, if the baby is flying alone.
However NorthWest
Air, is where you find the best longer distance flights, with the least amount of stops and flying time.
If the baby has
very far to go, I prefer that you fly in yourself and take the baby back in the cabin with you.
This eliminates
all the worry and gives you time to bond with your new baby.
ELECTRICAL CORDS
Puppy proof your
home!
We lost a baby after
she went to her new home, due to chewing on an electrical cord.
It was a family
get together and while no one was looking, it happened.
The baby could have
been saved, if the people would have noticed what had happened and took her to the Vet right away. However waiting until
morning proved fatal.
Keep your little
baby off of the beds and furniture while unattended.
We also lost a baby
after she went to her new home, because of falling off of the bed on to her neck.
They just stepped
away for a second and that is too long.
PLAY YARDS
Puppy proof your
yard also!
Remember a determined
little terrier can do amazing things!
They were designed
for digging, they do it seldom if they are not left alone for long periods of time.
However a bored
and lonely baby can get away from you so fast, and you will be heartbroken.
Many babies are
stolen, lost, hurt by other large animals or hit by a car.
Think Ahead
Upset Tummies
Babies are very
similar to little vacuum's :o)
Upset tummies can
happen and when they do, go to a white rice diet with a little chicken broth for a day or two. Pepto Bismo is great, every
four hours.
1/4 tsp. for a baby.
If you see an awful
watery diarrhea, vomiting, call your VET immediately.
You could be facing
Parvo, Corona or Coccidia.
VACCINES AND WORMINGS
As mentioned in
the policy page, your baby will have all of the vaccines he or she needs for their age, before leaving the ranch.
However, they will
probably need from one to two more.
Fort Dodge Duramune,
Proguard, Vanguard Plus
are the ones that
I use, they are the best and the best in the order written.
I will send you
a health record with instructions on what else your puppy needs.
NEVER EVER DO YOU
LET YOUR VET' GIVE YOUR BABY A RABIES VACCINE BEFORE 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND I PREFER A YEAR OLD.
There have been
4 babies die because of this, I tell everyone about it and many are talked into a rabies vaccine by their Vet.
terriers do not
tolerate them and many have been in seizures within minutes after getting the vaccine.
LYME vaccines do
not do well either.
KENNEL COUGH only
to be given in nasal form.
LEPTO
only to be given
after 16 weeks of age.
WORMINGS
Your baby will also
be up to date on their wormings.
Strongid given every
2 weeks until they reach one month old, then every three weeks.
At 2 months old,
I will worm again with Panacure, for three days in a row and once again 2 weeks after. I will have a fecal done at this time.
(Which is a test from the Vet to make sure there are no worms in your baby.)
All Puppies are
born with worms. And the Mother can be completely clear of worms, but babies will still be born with them.
You should worm
your puppy at 4 months old and have a fecal done to make sure they are clear of worms.
If your puppy has
any worms, after the worming, you will see dead worms in the stool. Don't be alarmed, this is a good thing :o)
BEDDY BY TIME
One of the best
ways I know for a new baby to sleep is: Put the baby in a crate with lots of toys and a chew. Set the crate by
your bed, where you can reach in with your fingers if they start to cry.
Remember, it is
loud here and they feel more comfortable with a radio playing softly or there are several toys you can buy, that have music
and some with heartbeats.
WHEN YOUR BUSY
When you have to
go somewhere without baby, or you are busy, or just need a housebreaking break.....
Put the baby in
their crate for some downtime, they need a break too.
Babies still sleep
so much, at a young age and they need their rest.
Include the chews
and toys and they are safe and learn that is their very own little hideaway.
HOUSEBREAKING
I have found it
best to think of your new furbaby as a small toddler.
They are in the
house with you and then they are taken outside to go to the bathroom and that is the furthest thing from their mind. It
can be frustrating and this does require lots of patience :o)
But, as a toddler
reacts, so does the puppy.
They go outside
into a whole new world! It's exciting and adventurous! Going to the bathroom is the Very Last Thing on their mind.
They forget all
about it and want to play and explore.
Take a lunch or
a good long book with you, the outside world needs to become ordinary, as the inside of your house has become. When
it becomes not quite so exciting, they will settle down and start realizing going to the bathroom outside is a good thing
and mom and dad are so happy!
If they do eliminate
themselves in the house, be sure and take it outside to a spot you are preferring they go to. Even if it's a puppy pad,
take it out or a paper towel you cleaned up a wet spot with.
Keep in mind, if
you don't spend enough time outside and bring them in to soon, the excitement will leave as they are brought in and that is
when they remember " oh, I have to go to the bathroom"
My husband used
to tease me and say, "hurry and bring the puppies inside, they probably are out there squirming and have to go to the
bathroom!"
Rewards seem
to hurry the whole learning experience also.
ITCHY BABIES
I do not have allergy
problems in my babies, but many do and I receive so many e-mails from worried westie parents.
However there are
many things that can become an itchy problem.
Green grass is fun
to roll on! And pick up those tiny little bugs that bite!
Flea bites are horrible!
And many are allergic to them, which makes it so much worse.
Many times it is
the food, something is a little to rich for them, protein to high or the food may contain to much of one ingredient.
Remember about never
pulling moisture from the coat, be careful when you buy your shampoos and careful with your treats also.
If you have an adult
westie with serious itching problems, drop me an e-mail and I will share my knowledge of these problems with you. And try
to direct you to a person who can help you, if I can't.
I will
update this page frequently with new tips . (last update 02/02/2007
Have a wonderful
day!
If you are getting a baby from me, please
sign this page, assuring me that you have read all of it's contents.
Then send it along with your Policies &
Requirements Page.
Thank you!
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