This is our health FAQ.

Bonnie's Puppy Starter Kit

Bonnie suggested reading might start with “Mother knows best”

Additionally, there are several good articles located at the “petplace.com”, particularly on “How to Talk & Handle my new puppy.”

Food:

Nutro Natural Choice large breed puppy (chicken & rice). Approx. ½ cup three times a day. We like to add a little water and let it sit for awhile. For an added treat, a tablespoon of Nutro natural choice, Chicken & rice chunks, large-breed puppy, canned food.

Crate:

36x24x26 wire or plastic the choice is yours, we use both and really like the wire for ventilation and easy of storage. A bathroom mat from a home store is the perfect size to lay inside the crate. We get the ones with the rubber backing that will not slide around. Buy 2, so one can be washed while the other is in the crate. It is very worthwhile to explore crate training prior to bringing your new puppy home. This is the safest way to transport your puppy.

Nylabone:

(gumabone) little tiny one's at first, it is important for the puppy to immediately have something of it’s own to chew on. We highly discourage allowing the puppy to chew on your fingers, if they are teething, get used to giving them a proper toy, their nylabone.

Woobies:

Toys, the ones that are of simulated sheepskin. You can buy these at the store or buy the material at a fabric store. Small homemade ones are the best for starters. You can make them small enough for the puppy to carry around. A 2x6” stripe with a knot or two in the middle is the perfect toy for carrying around the house and greet all those new friends.

Just a thought, Goldens are an Oral Breed. They enjoy it when You offer a toy to their mouth. We teach our kids to pick up a toy prior greeting visitors; this is a great way to keep your visitors hands and arms out of your dog’s mouth. It also muffles a lot of the vocal happiness associated with visitors.

Ball:

indestructible

Cotton rope bone:

double knotted really helps.

Do not buy anything rawhide, usually it leads to diarrhea.

Pooper scooper:

Buy the big one now or later your choice.

Stainless steel pet dishs:

2qt. Size buy 2 one each food/water, you can put stainless in the dishwasher.

Exercise pen:

A great idea, in many respects.

Food storage bin w/1 cup scooper:

we like the Blitz stack-n-stor (model #65) it will hold a #40 pound bag of food. Suggest trying your local ranch/tack store for the best price.

Ear cleaning:

: Chlorhexiderm flush, cotton facial pads for the grocery store work great.

Nail trimming:

not a guillotine type, perhaps a heavy-duty nail clipper or dremmel grinder with a 60 grit sanding drum.

Brush:

a good pin brush and an undercoat rake. Add lots of Love.

ID tags, collars & leashes

Can all come later, it is our belief this is not the time for this type of training, if you need to control where the puppy goes potty, might want the set up the x-pen as the potty area.

PUPPY FORMULA'S

Here is a collection of formulas that we & people we know have used successfully. If you can't find anything else, you may try the puppies on just plain goat's milk but plain cow's milk will not give them the correct amount of fat and they may not be able to assimilate it.

Recipe #1

Ingredients

2/3 C Goat milk canned (or just regular canned milk)

1/3 C water or Pedialyte

1 tsp Karo Syrup

1 egg yolk

1 tsp Dyne or pediatric vitamin

Strain a couple of times to make sure there is no albumin in the mixture, although it has been used successfully without egg at all.

Variation: 1 can of Condensed Milk rather than goat's milk (it may be too high in protein and put a strain on the puppy's kidneys) 1 envelope of Knox unflavored gelatin in addition to other ingredients

Recipe #2

Ingredients

1 cup of canned Condensed milk or evaporated milk

4 oz plain, full-fat yogurt

1 egg yolk

1 dropper full of baby vitamins

Mix well.

Recipe #3

Ingredients

2 cups hot water

1 can Evaporated milk (Not condensed--both are in bakery section of store but different products)

2 eggs

2 Tbs Karo syrup

2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin.

Mix thoroughly to get the gelatin working.

Recipe #4

4 oz Carnation EVAPORATED milk

4 oz FULL FAT natural, plain yogurt

1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise, (NOT salad dressing and definitely NOT DIET)

1 egg yolk

1 dropper full of human baby pediatric liquid vitamin, no fluoride.

First Aid

First and foremost, nothing replaces the ability of a well-trained veterinarian with the best equipment.  However, knowing these basic first aid procedures are essential sustaining your dog's life in an emergency.

Pulse

Femoral pulse: The pulse is measured by pressing on the femoral artery, which lies beneath  the inner surface of the hind legs, in the groin area.

Artificial Respiration

Brain damage starts occurring in 5-6 minutes. Place the dog on it's side. Extend the head, using a cloth clear the tongue, look for objects, remove any mucous. Pick a point on the chest just behind the front leg, compress then release for a few seconds each. If no response, close mouth, lightly blow through nose to expand lungs, 1 breath every 10 seconds. If dog is revived, continue light/reducing compression, treat for shock

Shock

Condition greatly reduces circulation to the brain and vital organs, death may result. Symptoms: reduced pulse, pale gums, weakness, low body heat, rapid breathing. Open the airway, keep heart and body above the head, keep dog warm.

Bleeding

Compression: Firm and steady pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad, 4 to 5 minutes before releasing pressure.

Compression & Bandage: Heavy bleeding, do steps for compression, bandage the compress, tape firmly, change within an hour. Make sure it is not too tight.

Tourniquet: Apply only if compression/bandage fails or blood is spurting. Bandage wound, tourniquet should be between wound and heart, tight enough to control bleeding, loosen every 15 minutes.

Transport

After checking for bleeding and shock. Always try and use a make shift stretcher to avoid further injury to the dog, Plywood, blanket, even a jacket can be used. An injured dog is likely to strike out in reaction to his pain, be careful.

First aid by situation
Emergency Situation	After administering first aid these situations warrant an immediate visit to your Vet or an emergency clinic.
Burns	Continuously  apply cold water and ice packs.
Choking or difficulty in breathing	Extend head, check and clear airway if possible.
Bites	Do not assume bite is from a tick or flee. Certain spider bites can cause shock or sever tissue damage.
Poisoning	Identify the poison if possible, some are caustic, do not induce vomiting. Call Vet or poison control center immediately.
Heat stroke	Try to give fluids, cool with soaking towel, prevent shock.
Frost bite	Ears, feet, tail, skin will look frosty white. Apply 75 degree damp towel til warm, dry, bandage w/non-stick pads.
Wounds	Clean w/antibacterial solution, check for embedded objects, control bleeding.

The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, is the first animal-oriented poison control center in the United States. The Center is an allied agency of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

1-800-548-2423 or 1-888-4ANIHELP (1-888-426-4435)  $30 per case - no extra charge for follow-up calls. You must use Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express when you call.

1-900-680-0000  $30 per case. The charge will appear on your telephone bill.

Below is information on Meds. We keep it in our doggy first aid kit, if you live in a area where natural disasters are likely to occur, some vets will help you construct an appropriate one.

Follow list is provide for reference, as I am not a vet. It is always wise to follow the advice of your veterinarian.

Product	Common  usage	Canine usage
Buffered aspirin	Pain relief,  anti inflammatory	5 mg. per lb. every 12 hrs.
Vitamin B	Used as a appetite stimulant	1/2 to 2 ml. subcutaneously every 24 hrs.
Benadryl	Treats allergies, itching, etc.	1/2 mg. per lb. every 8 hrs. (max dose 2 mg. per lb.)
Dramamine	Reduces motion sickness	Up to 50 mg every 8 hrs.
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%	Used to induce vomiting.	10 ml. by mouth every 15 min.
Epinephrine 1:1000	Used to treat reactions to meds., or bites, stings.	1/10 to 1/2 ml intramuscular or subcutaneously
Pepto Bismol	diarrhea, vomiting, anti-gas	1 tsp. per 5 lbs. every 6 hrs.
Di Gel Liquid	antacid and anti-gas	Up to 4tbs. every 8 hrs.
Mineral Oil	Eliminates constipation	Up to 4 tbs. dailey
Kaopectate	relieves diarrhea	1 ml. per lb. every 2 hrs.

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****Under no circumstance should you ever give your dogs any Acetamenophin product  ( Like Tylenol)****

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The following are commonly used antibiotics & the recommended usages. It is always wise to follow the advice of your veterinarian.

Amoxicilllin	used to fight bacterial infections	5 mg per lb every 12 hrs.
Ampicillin	used to fight bacterial infections	10 mg per lb every 6 hours
Tetracycline	used to fight bacterial infections	10 mg per lb every 8 hours
PEN BP-48	used to fight bacterial infections	1 cc per 20lbs subcutaneously every 48 hrs.
Penicillin (300,000 units/ml)	used to fight bacterial infections	1 ml per 30 lbs subcutaneously

Caloric Requirements of Dogs
Weight of dog in pounds	Calories in summer*	Calories for dogs showing**	Calories for growing puppies***
2	120	180	200
5	250	375	400
10	420	630	700
20	700	1050	1200
30	930	1400	1400
50	1350	2000	2000
70	1680	2500	2500
100	2400	3600	3600

A good premium food is essential, We feed Nutro's & Pro Plan, We really like the natural choice Lamb & Rice (Protein 21%, Fat 12%) We have tried literally every premium brand produced. We keep coming back to it, the kid's like it, it makes great coats and causes no problems. Stools are smaller.

*** Nutro Max for the puppies, Be careful about adding on too much weight, too fast.

We have been feeding Pro Plan with very good results.

Don't forget to add in treats! (Milkbone used for example)
Biscuit/Treat	Calories
Small dog  biscuit	19
Medium dog biscuit	35
Large dog biscuit	119
Flavor snacks	22
Dog treats	12