Contact Le-Tons Teacups

Stress Is The Leading Cause Of Death In Puppies

My Puppies Have Been Wormed Regularly And Shots Are Current

They are fat and healthy, they have food available free choice 24 hours a day. They need the extra fat to sustain them through the stress of moving to a new home. They WILL lose it as they become more active.

We wean our puppies at eight weeks, as recommended by my Vet. Teacups have a very high metabolism and weaning any sooner is detrimental to their health, emotional and behavioral development. They need the interaction from 7 to 8 weeks with other puppies to learn to act like a dog and learn his place in the pack. Early weaning can cause bad temperaments, fighting among dogs and a dog that is harder to train. Puppies weaned earlier than 8 weeks will have a tendency towards lifelong digestive problems as well as weakened skeletal structure. Puppies should not have a pot belly, that's a sure indication of digestive problems or worms, or both. They should have a slight layer of subcutaneous fat. Prominent ribs and, backbone is an indication poor health, skeletal structure or food deprivation and buyers will most likely incur staggering Vet bills in order to get them healthy and keep them healthy. Depriving an animal of food in attempt to keep it small is cruel, but is practiced by many people. If the puppies are sent to a new home before they are given time to adjust to dietary changes, the digestive upset, diarrhea, vomiting and resulting hypoglycemia from weaning too soon hits them, then the buyer has to deal with it. Some want to ''get rid'' of the puppies before the digestive upset from weaning too fast and too soon hits so the buyer will have to deal with it. A lot of the time, puppies do not survive the stress. Five and six week old puppies are absolutely adorable, but it is a very critical and stressful period in their lives.

I do not let my puppies go until 12 weeks of age. Their immune systems are compromised from their shots, which makes them susceptible to just about any disease they are exposed to during the week after the shots. From the third to the sixth day after the shots is the most critical period. The week following the shots is a time they should be isolated from the other adult dogs and puppies and not moved to a new home because the stress, along with lowered immunity from the shots can cause major problems and extreme illness. And again. I know people give shots and send them out the very same day, only to have the puppies get sick , then blame the unsuspecting buyer.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOLLOW:

1. Your puppy should be fed 3 times a day and mix with canned food as a night feeding.

2. At 4 weeks old, start with puppy formula mixed with Gerber's rice cereal.

3. At 5 weeks old, start with chopped chicken and soak formula dry food.

4. At 6 weeks old, wean off of formula and feed dry food with chopped chicken three times a day.

5. By 6 to 8 weeks old, your puppy should be eating 3 times a day with dry food and canned food as a treat or night feeding. Teacups need their canned food at all feedings.

6. Recommended brand of dog food is Nutro Small Bites -Solid Gold and Beneful-Youth Natural Choice.

7. Bathe pet once a month and when necessary. Recommended shampoo: Either PUPPY or OATMEAL shampoo for dogs.

8. Your pet should be de wormed for a follow up treatment.

9. After 6 weeks of age, a vaccine calendar should be elaborated.

10. Pets on occasions go under stress. This may occur after environmental changes. Stress can be manifested with loose feces. This can be controlled with fluids. (e.g. PEDIALYTE, GATORADE) and proper nourishment. The symptoms must not go beyond a 12 hr. period. Consult your local veterinarian specially when dog goes on empty stomach.

11. Your pet has a 3 -day virus free liability from the day of purchase. Do Not Allow Your Pet On Unknown Grounds Or Other Pets Until It Has Received All Its Vaccines.

12. Do Not Allow Your Pet To Lick Fingers.

13. 1 - year health guarantee. There must be a written veterinarian notification on cause of health problem to be able to give the client a complete replacement or assistance. NO GUARANTEE for potential slip- joints or death due to neglect on part of buyer. NO GUARANTEE against hip dysphasia, thickness of coat and color. Any or all parasites and mites.

SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

A. Feeding Schedule: 8 AM -- 2 PM -- 6PM Daily

B. Feed a small portion of NUTRI-CAL GEL, once daily. It comes in a toothpaste tube presentation. Put a small portion on your finger, either allow it to lick on it or put it under it's palate. (upper jaw)

C. As A General Rule: Your puppy will usually want to potty and/or piddle after each meal, nap and exercise session. Keep your dog confined in a specific area with a potty schedule until 4 months old and/or understands his/her potty areas.