Stone Mountain Veterinary | Stone Mountain Post-natal(birth) Care Of Puppies | | Hidden Hills Animal Hospital |

Hidden Hills Animal Hospital

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Small Companion & Exotic Pets

404-296-3400
Post-natal(birth) Care Of Puppies
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Hidden Hills Animal Hospital Small Animals & Exotics


4899 Redan Road Stone Mountain, GA 30088


(404) 296-3400

Dr. Paul E. Norwood




POST-NATAL CARE OF PUPPIES

Very little care is required of the owner for the puppies during the first few weeks after birth. Natural instinct causes the mother to provide for most needs of the offspring. The best advice is leave the new family alone as much as possible and simply watch for anything you feel might be abnormal. Don't hesitate to Call us for advice.

NOTES ON PROPER CARE:

1. Be sure puppies nurse within the first six (6) hours following birth.

  • This provides the antibodies which fight disease in the pup for the first 6-8 weeks of life. These antibodies are ONLY absorbed during the first few hours after birth.

2. Maintain a warm environment

  • Room temperature should be maintained at a minimum of 72 degrees F. Remember that it's about 10 degrees colder on the floor (since heat rises) than at eye level. Avoid drafts and keep warm. Dampness and chilling can be FATAL to young pups and kittens.

3. A properly nourished pup sleeps most of the time, staying quiet, and has a full stomach.

  • Notify us if the puppies cry frequently. Extended crying may be a sign of problems: such as no milk available in the breasts or mastitis (infected milk). If the pups must be hand-fed, use Havolac, Esbilac, or Puppy Lac which is made to most closely resemble milk of the bitch. Human pediatric formulations are NOT at all satisfactory. An emergency substitute can be made by adding an egg yolk to 8 ounces of 2% milk.

4. Tail Docking and Dewclaw Removal is routinely done at 3-5 days of age at our hospital.

5. Eyes usually open at 10-14 days of age.

Swollen eyes or discharges should be reported to us when observed.

6. Begin feeding puppies as soon as eyes are opened.

We recommend using Gerber High Protein or Rice Baby Cereal mixed with 2% milk diluted 1/2 with water. Place food in a flat saucer to be sure the pups can get to it. After one week, switch to a premium puppy food in place of the baby cereal.

7. Puppies should be allowed to nurse the female until six weeks of age.

Smaller breeds often do better if allowed to nurse for eight weeks, even though you begin the solid food feeding at four weeks of age.

8. Pups should be treated for internal parasites at 3-4 weeks of age.

9. Start immunizations at six weeks of age.

The major disease that is our major concern at this age is Parvovirus.

10. Pups may be bathed whenever necessary, but DRY THOROUGHLY

11. Discuss Flea Control with us before using ANY product on young pups.
 
 
Stone Mountain Veterinary is a certified Veterinary specializing in Post-natal(birth) Care Of Puppies, pet hospital, vet clinic, emergency vet and much more in Stone Mountain, . We also do Welcome, Cat Vaccinations, Dog Vaccinations, Routine Preventative Care, Comprehensive Physical Exam, Surgical Procedures, On Site Lab Services, Emergency Medical Care, Dental Cleaning, Flea And Tick Prevention, Grooming Services, Boarding Services, Nutrition Counseling, Behavior Counseling, Prescription Diets , Radiology, Microchip Idenification and all work related in the 30088 area and surrounding areas in Stone Mountain