goldielover

RV; Oh, your little fuschia girl is gorgeous. I whelped a litter with a friend a few months ago where she had several very small golden pups - well under half the weight of the others. One was only 160g (average birth weight for goldens is 400g). You could tell straight away he was a fighter though - no stopping him. Hope your little girl does just as well. Oso - hope all is well with you. Sorry to hear about your stillborn baby . I had 2 in my last litter - one had been gone for a while but the other was upsetting as he was still centrally warm and I couldn't see anything wrong. The joys of breeding

Congrats everyone! We're expecting a litter of Goldens around the 20th July. We saw 5 on the ultrasound, so probably a couple more :)

I usually use a panel heater in the room then heat pads. Does anyone know where to get a decent heat lamp from? I looked into them a few years ago but got distracted!

In my breed, 6 to 7 seems to be the 'norm' for bitches to have their final litter. From personal experience (and i've only had 7 litters), i agree with this as i've had friends (also same breed) who have mated older bitches and had a lot of issues - could just be coincidence but 6 or 7 years is enough for me.

kelpiecuddles. You make the appoint through Craigeburn vet clinic. Michael visits the Devon Meadows pool on Tuesday afternoons (you need to specify that you want to see him there - i assume the vaccination rates are more expensive in the surgery, but ask if it's closer for you!). You are asked a preferred time, then on the day they usually phone you with a more specific time. I just use get the regular C3. I have never vaccinated yearly though, but do my breeding girls every 2 years and my older girl every 3 years. I'm lucky it's only about 15 minutes away from me. I just can't justify spending $70+ per dog when they usually have a vet visit during the year anyway. If ever i have an issue and need to visit my regular, i ask my vet to do a thorough examination anyway.

I have my regular local vet, but for vaccinations i see Michael Bell (from Craigeburn Vets) when he visits the Devon Meadows pool on Tuesdays (near Cranbourne - VIC). I only get C3's (which are $16 to $18). From memory a C5 if $25. My furkids get checked out at other points during the year - saves quite a bit of money!

Thought i'd update on how my old golden girl is going on the RHV. She definitely has more 'spark' ... a friend who hasn't seen her in 6 months says she looks younger. Definitely more energy and able to walk faster. She has even tried to run a few times :) . I'm hoping to decrease some of the other supplements she's on!

I take Rose Hip vital for my knee and have felt a marked improvement. I have an older golden with arthritis pretty much everywhere. I started her on the canine formula just over a week ago - already she seems brighter and happier. Think it will take a little longer to see the full effects though. I'm really hoping it works for her!

My vet quoted me similar stats to stormie re mammary tumours I'm not sure of the prevalence of pyo. I am a very small breeder and haven't had any bitches with it yet, but i do know many breeders who have experienced it - all have been over 5 - not sure if this is a coincidence or not, but i haven't heard of any younger bitches developing pyo in my breed, although i'm sure there have been cases

What a great outcome DakotaJ :)

How worrying for you DakotaJ. I wouldn't say it is common amongst Goldens in Australia, but it does occur. It's usually picked up by the breeder when the pups are around 3 weeks old (the pup is pretty much always wet). THe random bouts of incontinence is strange... if she was incontinent all the time (or even a little 'wet' around that area), i'd think it was Ectopic ureter. Was she speyed very early in life? Could also be spey incontinence. If it is EU, you definitely should inform your breeder as obviously they couldn't repeat that mating again. Please let us know how you go at the Specialist appointment :), and good luck!

Sounds like the first night at home went really well! I just googled your breeder, and Daisy's dad is the same as my girl, Izzy :)

Personally ILG... i wouldn't think there would be much of an issue. However, i would wait about 10 days (after your girl comes home) just in case either pup has a bit of a bug - that would cover most diseases incubation periods just in case :) . When you think about it, most puppies go to puppy school well before their 2nd vaccination - they'll be meeting puppies there too. Is there a risk? Yes, of course there is some risk that any pup can catch something from another pup at puppy school even... In all reality, we can walk diseases like parvo into our houses on our shoes if we want to be really pedantic. Personally, i avoid any high risk situations, but do get my pup out and about soon as i have seen the difference between pups that have benefitted from early socialisation and those who haven't, just in my own dogs that i've raised.

Hi ILG.. the cat crate will be ok to travel in, then decide whether you want a crate for in the car when she's older (you'd then have to buy one that will accommodate her when she's fully grown). Otherwise, you can buy harnesses that clip into the seatbelt (or the seatbelt goes through) - i just use those personally. Red dog have decent ones. I love the name Remi!! My old girls mum was named Remi - such a pretty name and not common! As for going on walks, i advise my puppy people to take their pups out as much as possible when they are young. There is a critical period for socialisation up to 15 to 16 weeks of age, and you really need to get them used to as many people, sights, sounds, environments, surfaces, etc as you can before that time. This really helps shape a confident puppy. Of course you need to also be careful and take into account that there is some risk associated with getting her out and about. Don't go to dog parks or any area that is heavily frequented by dogs. Don't let her play with dogs with unknown vaccination status, or who play in dog areas until after the 2nd vaccination. I do walk pups i keep around my area. We stay on the path on local streets and avoid poles/bushes, etc. Initially you can even carry her places eg. train stations, shopping centers, busy intersections, etc., and visit friends' houses, etc. I even take mine close to construction sites if there is any houses being built - i just get them used to as much as possible when they're young. If you are hesitant to do this, then wait until 10 days after the 2nd vaccination... just gives you very little time to get socialise her before she hits the first 'fear' period at 16 weeks. Of course, socialisation needs to continue throughout her life, but a young puppy is like a 'sponge' and whatever it learns and experiences early on will have the biggest impact on it's behaviour and coping mechanisms later on. I start with the pups here, as many breeders do - i get them used to all of the household noises - car, vaccum cleaner, dishwasher, blower vac, high pressure hose, cupboards slamming, roller doors, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, etc., so they get a good start before they even go to their new homes. With nipping it will be a matter of finding out what works for your puppy. Pups start to learn bite inhibition from their litter mates and mum. You can let out a loud yelp as mentioned, and make sure you give her a toy she is allowed to chew on... also remember that at around 4 months of age she'll be getting her adult teeth, so will want to chew again then!! Some pups are terrible nippers and others only do it a few times - very individual. Musn't be long now - you must be getting very excited!!

Yeah, ILG. A slightly elevated heart rate wouldn't be something to be concerned about unless there was an irregularity

A slightly raised heartbeat i wouldn't think abnormal? Anxiety at the vets perhaps, being hot, running/playing, etc... same as humans If the pup has a heart murmur (an irregularity in the heartbeat) the breeder shouldn't sell it until either they know what is causing the murmur, or it goes completely. Many heart murmurs are developmental and they are usually gone by 6 months of age, but some never go, and if a diagnosis for the murmur isn't able to be made by regular ultrasound, then a doppler ultrasound would need to be done (this is just if the murmur does not go away by itself) and that is VERY expensive! Anyway, my advice, if the pup does have a murmur/irregularity, there is no way i'd let it go to a new home, and there's certainly no way i'd buy a puppy with one. We have a genetic condition in Goldens called Sub-aortic stenosis. The main symptom of this is an irregular heartbeat, so then you'd need to go on to further tests for a diagnosis. It's very rare, but life-threatening - i've actually never personally heard of a Golden with it in Australia. So, essentially, it will either go away, or if it doesn't it will need to be monitored, may need medication for life, or if it's something nasty, could have a drastically reduced life.

You must be getting very excited ILG! I've just had a litter go to their new homes the week before last and it's just lovely to see the excitement on everyone's faces as they come to pick up their new puppy :) I use a slicker when they're a bit older, but also buy a basic pin brush too for everyday puppy brushing. A basic doggy comb also comes in handy when they get dirty. A hint with goldens - if they're wet/have been swimming, etc., just let them dry first then most of the dirt will just brush out easily. When your pup is a fair bit older (maybe 6 months or so), it may also pay to buy an undercoat rake to use when she's shedding - it will really help. For bowls, make sure the water bowls are heavy as goldens love water, and will tip over a plastic or stainless steel bowl. I place a few ceramic ones around the place - keeps the water nice and cool. I also had to buy a small tub for my last litter as i had one girl in particular who loved digging in the water and within 5 minutes of me filling up the water bowls, they would be completely empty (she also sat in it LOL). Your breeder may already be getting you one of these, but the Golden Retriever club sells a breed handbook which is quite good www.grcv.org.au . I give them to my puppy buyers as well as a folder full of my own information

oohhh, adorable little munchkins, Evolving. Are you keeping any?

Well, my babies have all gone to their new homes. Where did the time go!! I miss them already (even though the little buggers woke me up at 4.30 to 5am every morning :laugh: ). Hope everyone elses babies are doing well

I can't imagine what you must be going through right now Cazstaff. I'm so sorry for your loss. R.I.P Buddy I hope you do follow this up - it's just tragic. At the very least the groomer should be sacked, the practices of the salon be investigated, and you should be offered compensation. Just awful

Has she tried making the pup poo? (Need some cotton balls soaked in warm water and run gently around the anus - can take a while!! I do it while applying gentle pressure to the lower abodmen with my hand also. Had to do it with a pup nearly every litter.

If she's only had 1 episode of diarrhea, she probably doesn't need the gastrolyte. I have given it to a pup who had a few bouts of vomiting and diarrhea - no issues. Best to check with the vet though.

Not 100% sure, but i think the Troy calcium is pretty similar - lots of glucose too. I have used it for my last few litters.

I don't think Dr Bob would have a problem with a Rotti - he's been around for ages. Great with the pets and humans alike :)

Hi Chicken, Dr Bob Cavey from the Ultimate Vet Clinic (Narre-Warren Cranbourne Rd) - best vet around!! PH: 8790 2425 http://www.ultimatevet.com.au/