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Five week old puppy 'sold'
This tiny puppy was brought in yesterday. He had been 'sold' to people who soon realized they couldn't care for him. Five weeks is much too young for any puppy to leave their mum. Only puppies that are much older, around twelve weeks at least and fully weaned, in good health and vaccinated are ready to go to a new home.
Isn't he sweet!
But sadly will have to make a real effort to adjust to his orphan status. At the moment he's wanting to suckle but we've reared lots of orphan puppies before and he has an excellent chance of survival.
Lots of t.l.c. is as important as getting the food right. He's been used to warm bodies all round him and milk whenever he wanted it, so we'll keep him with us unless he's sleeping when it's a load of cuddle blankets, a hot water bottle and a teddy bear for company (if you give any dog a soft toy always make sure it's a dog safe one with no loose bits that could choke).
The right food for him is Lactol which is a brand of puppy gruel and is fed at blood heat, little and often. Clear instructions are on the tin and should be followed exactly. Always make sure that all utensils are sterilized and kept only for the one little dog. Don't mix them with dishes for older dogs or you'll get trouble. Tummy bugs in tiny puppies are a real health threat. If in doubt about anything, do consult the vet.
Puppies this age can't be left. If you do try to leave them they cry 'I want my mommy!' Don't think that it doesn't matter if he cries, there's scientific evidence that puppies should not be separated too young from their family. It causes emotional damage and they could turn into neurotic wrecks. Yes, the two year old dog that still trashes the kitchen when you leave him might just have been taken away from mum a few weeks too soon.
Around nine weeks is the absolute minimum time and even this varies within the litter. We think that twelve weeks is a good start time for them to start packing their bags. It's when the puppies are eating well, have been vaccinated and are becoming socialized. At around three months, new people and new places are no longer so daunting.
Sometimes the 'little runt' of the litter will take a lot longer, up to six months in some cases before you can be sure they'll no longer suffer from separation anxiety. Usually mom is totally fed up with them by then!
There are always lots of unanswered questions to do with all the dogs that come in to us. Where is this little chap's mum and brothers and sisters? Are they alright? We don't know. Why was he taken away when he was obviously too little and too young?
Oddly enough we've had two sets of lady dogs come in recently who have shown obvious signs of having had a litter of puppies recently. One of them is not the mum, wrong size and type and she's been here too long now. But the other just might be.... it's a long shot but..... a mum without puppies, a puppy without a mum.....? Watch this space!
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