Well, little Mister Teal boy has left for his new home. Here is is saying goodbye with his new family!
And thanks for a super and beautiful gift!!
The remaining 2 pups had their lunch in a puzzle :)
Purple boy flies to Natal tomorrow :(
To all the prospective puppy owners, I thought that you would like to see the photographs, videos, and updates of the Mackland puppies while they are still with me. These Border Collie & Shetland Sheepdog puppies are lovingly bred and raised in my home. This blog lets me show you step by step how your baby is raised. It highlights each step from mating to 8 weeks old. I hope that you all enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoy having them in my house!
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Tuesday
With 3 pups here this week, things are not really calmer... hehe
They are out most of the time, with me and my dogs, but when I go out, or go to work, they are put into their pen.... and they are most unhappy!
The deck area is comfy, and this morning they had carrot treats:
1 more sleep until little Mister Teal leaves me, and 2 more sleeps for Mister Purple to go. I am already sad.... It looks like good weather in PE this week, so these 2 will have baths just before they go. Soon it will be just little Brave girl with me, and then the real training begins!
Monday, January 29, 2018
8 week heights etc
I forgot to post this on Friday:
The pups' last full meal together before some left for JHB:
The 3 remaining pups had a liver and rice treat on Saturday night, with their pellets:
Granny Q finally went MAD and played with the pups (kinda freaked them out with her fun side!)
Friday, January 26, 2018
Last night together
So.. tonight is the pups last night all together :(
The first 2 babies leave me early tomorrow morning - Lime and Blue (Jamie & Vinnie) set off to Johannesburg on the first flight out.
Some snapshots from yesterday evening:
The first 2 babies leave me early tomorrow morning - Lime and Blue (Jamie & Vinnie) set off to Johannesburg on the first flight out.
Some snapshots from yesterday evening:
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Stress!
With all the talk on Parvo and my area not being safe, and posts on poo.... I had a scare over the past 2 days! One of the boys (Teal) was a little offish after his supper on Tuesday night and then threw it up. He wouldn't take his night time snack, nor a chicken treat. He didn't want to play with the others. They all ran around like mad things and he curled up and went to sleep. When he woke up he had a bad runny poo and looked at me like "please help". PANIC (with Parvo on the brain, I was hysterical). The poor vet had to meet me at the consulting rooms during the night. His temperature was slightly elevated but not bad, poor baby was very offish and threw up at the vet again. She did a Parvo test at my insistence and - thank the pope - it was negative. Also no Giardia or Coccidia. I sommer cried on the spot with relief! Poor baby must have munched on something foreign in the garden as the vet determined "severe enteritis". I am SO thankful!!!! He is on an anti-nausea medication as well as something for his tummy/ bowel. I kept him away from the other pups yesterday, just in case it was something else, but he is eating and is a happy chappy again. He had a total of 3 runny poos and vomited only twice. I am so pleased that he recovered so quickly - a scare, I can tell you! Please, everyone, keep watching poop, and rather not feed anything rich or new straight away..... my nerves!
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Parvo info
I don't want to scare any of you, but I thought I would paste a Parvo article in here, just so that you are aware of the symptoms. Puppies are so at risk and even older vaccinated dogs! Currently a Mackland border collie, fully vaccinated, 12 months old has contracted Parvo in Port Elizbabeth!
If your puppy, or any other dog for that matter, has the symptoms below, don't wait before going to the vet! The sooner treatment starts, the better! Dogs die!
Signs of Parvo: What to Look For
By Jennifer Coates, DVM
Parvo, officially known as canine parvovirus, or CPV, is a highly contagious viral disease. Dogs who are sick or recovering from parvo pass incredibly large numbers of the virus in their feces, and virus particles can survive for months in the environment. Susceptible dogs are infected orally when they come into contact with a contaminated area. Puppies and young dogs who have not received all of their vaccines are at highest risk for developing parvo.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that parvo does not have to be deadly. If dogs with parvo receive prompt and appropriate veterinary treatment, many can be saved.
Learn the signs of parvo in dogs, so that you can work with your veterinarian on treating and beating the parvo disease.
Poor Appetite
Often, one of the first signs that a dog is getting sick is a loss of appetite. This is especially true with parvo. In the early stages of the disease, the virus invades and starts to replicate within the lining of the intestinal tract and other parts of the body. The immune system is also gearing up to respond. All of this can lead to a fever, low energy levels, and, most notably, a loss of interest in food.
Vomiting
Most dogs with parvo vomit. Initially the vomit may contain remnants of the dog’s last meal, but as vomiting continues all that comes up is a foamy mucus that may contain bile, a yellow-brown digestive fluid, or blood. Blood can be bright red or partially digested, which gives it the appearance of coffee-grounds. As dogs with parvo become dehydrated, they may try to drink, but anything they take in typically comes right back up.
Diarrhea – Possibly with Blood
Diarrhea develops as the virus and the resulting immune response damages the lining of the intestinal tract. The intestines can no longer absorb water and nutrients and become leaky. Fluid from the body can pass into the intestines, worsening diarrhea and dehydration. Blood vessels within the intestinal wall may be damaged, causing blood to become visible in the stool and providing a route for bacteria to enter the dog’s circulatory system.
Damage to Other Body Parts
Parvovirus doesn’t just invade the lining of the intestinal tract, it also attacks other rapidly dividing cells. In young puppies, this can include heart muscle, leading to chronic heart disease or sudden death. Bone marrow, which produces important parts of the immune system, can also be affected. The combination of a weakened immune response and bacteria entering the bloodstream through a damaged intestinal wall often results in bacterial pneumonia for dogs with parvo.
Preventing Parvo
Most cases of parvo can be prevented with a series of vaccines that start when a puppy is around 7-8 weeks old. Puppies receive three or four parvo vaccines roughly every three weeks until they are 3-4 months old. Dogs should be revaccinated one year later. Then most dogs only need a parvo booster every three years, or they can have an annual vaccine titer to check their immunity.
For serious and potentially fatal diseases like parvo, the benefits of prevention always outweigh the costs associated with illness and treatment.
If your puppy, or any other dog for that matter, has the symptoms below, don't wait before going to the vet! The sooner treatment starts, the better! Dogs die!
Signs of Parvo: What to Look For
By Jennifer Coates, DVM
Parvo, officially known as canine parvovirus, or CPV, is a highly contagious viral disease. Dogs who are sick or recovering from parvo pass incredibly large numbers of the virus in their feces, and virus particles can survive for months in the environment. Susceptible dogs are infected orally when they come into contact with a contaminated area. Puppies and young dogs who have not received all of their vaccines are at highest risk for developing parvo.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that parvo does not have to be deadly. If dogs with parvo receive prompt and appropriate veterinary treatment, many can be saved.
Learn the signs of parvo in dogs, so that you can work with your veterinarian on treating and beating the parvo disease.
Poor Appetite
Often, one of the first signs that a dog is getting sick is a loss of appetite. This is especially true with parvo. In the early stages of the disease, the virus invades and starts to replicate within the lining of the intestinal tract and other parts of the body. The immune system is also gearing up to respond. All of this can lead to a fever, low energy levels, and, most notably, a loss of interest in food.
Vomiting
Most dogs with parvo vomit. Initially the vomit may contain remnants of the dog’s last meal, but as vomiting continues all that comes up is a foamy mucus that may contain bile, a yellow-brown digestive fluid, or blood. Blood can be bright red or partially digested, which gives it the appearance of coffee-grounds. As dogs with parvo become dehydrated, they may try to drink, but anything they take in typically comes right back up.
Diarrhea – Possibly with Blood
Diarrhea develops as the virus and the resulting immune response damages the lining of the intestinal tract. The intestines can no longer absorb water and nutrients and become leaky. Fluid from the body can pass into the intestines, worsening diarrhea and dehydration. Blood vessels within the intestinal wall may be damaged, causing blood to become visible in the stool and providing a route for bacteria to enter the dog’s circulatory system.
Damage to Other Body Parts
Parvovirus doesn’t just invade the lining of the intestinal tract, it also attacks other rapidly dividing cells. In young puppies, this can include heart muscle, leading to chronic heart disease or sudden death. Bone marrow, which produces important parts of the immune system, can also be affected. The combination of a weakened immune response and bacteria entering the bloodstream through a damaged intestinal wall often results in bacterial pneumonia for dogs with parvo.
Preventing Parvo
Most cases of parvo can be prevented with a series of vaccines that start when a puppy is around 7-8 weeks old. Puppies receive three or four parvo vaccines roughly every three weeks until they are 3-4 months old. Dogs should be revaccinated one year later. Then most dogs only need a parvo booster every three years, or they can have an annual vaccine titer to check their immunity.
For serious and potentially fatal diseases like parvo, the benefits of prevention always outweigh the costs associated with illness and treatment.
Various
I am gearing up for the pups to start leaving this weekend :(
I'm going to miss these buggers!
Today when I got home at lunchtime, I counted SIX puppies = looked again and laughed. The cat, Trinity, had put herself into their pen and was waking up from a nap! She stayed in there while they ate lunch and walked out with them when I let them out. What a funny cat! No one mauled her, no one pounced on her or knocked her over.. she must have disciplined them properly to get that right. I will have my phone ready for later when I walk in again!
I am very nervous at present! There is Parvo in my area. So no more visitors until the pups have gone. I have been diligent and sprayed everyone very well with F10, shoes, bodies, hands. Only my photo friends will come in on Wednesday evening. We will lie low until the threat has gone (or the puppies to their new homes).
When you get your pup, please don't take him out to a high traffic dog area initially until after his course of inoculations are done. ie parks/ dog schools/ shows / places where lots of dogs & people go. Rather be safe than sorry!
Even fully vaccinated dogs are getting Parvo, so baby puppies can get it very easily!
I would say after the second vaccination, it's ok to go to friends etc
Vaccinations:
1. 6 weeks (done)
2. 10 weeks (can be done at 9 weeks, so due around 1-8 Feb)
3. 14 weeks (or 3-4 weeks after the second one) and includes Rabies
The pups will be sent with a copy of moms vet book showing her rabies vac. They are covered on this until about 3 months.
I'm going to miss these buggers!
Today when I got home at lunchtime, I counted SIX puppies = looked again and laughed. The cat, Trinity, had put herself into their pen and was waking up from a nap! She stayed in there while they ate lunch and walked out with them when I let them out. What a funny cat! No one mauled her, no one pounced on her or knocked her over.. she must have disciplined them properly to get that right. I will have my phone ready for later when I walk in again!
I am very nervous at present! There is Parvo in my area. So no more visitors until the pups have gone. I have been diligent and sprayed everyone very well with F10, shoes, bodies, hands. Only my photo friends will come in on Wednesday evening. We will lie low until the threat has gone (or the puppies to their new homes).
When you get your pup, please don't take him out to a high traffic dog area initially until after his course of inoculations are done. ie parks/ dog schools/ shows / places where lots of dogs & people go. Rather be safe than sorry!
Even fully vaccinated dogs are getting Parvo, so baby puppies can get it very easily!
I would say after the second vaccination, it's ok to go to friends etc
Vaccinations:
1. 6 weeks (done)
2. 10 weeks (can be done at 9 weeks, so due around 1-8 Feb)
3. 14 weeks (or 3-4 weeks after the second one) and includes Rabies
The pups will be sent with a copy of moms vet book showing her rabies vac. They are covered on this until about 3 months.
Monday, January 22, 2018
KUSA Registrations
The Encore litter has been registered!
Below are the names they accepted.
Only one error on the paperwork (of course it's the girl's, so they are busy rectifying that). Hopefully I will get the original certificates before the pups leave me so that I can include them in their packs, otherwise they will have to be posted.
Puppy tummies
People are asking what I am feeding the babies. So far they are mainly on Hills Healthy Development Puppy kibble (mini bites). I will be sending 1kg with each puppy as well. It would be best to continue feeding this, but if you are going to change to something else, please use the 1kg bag as a gentle transition and mix in anything else you will be using.
A puppy's tummy can go haywire so quickly for many reasons, mostly:
change in diet
something new/ rich added/ or if he ate something he shouldn't have
stress
parasites
and of course illness etc
To avoid trauma on your end, it may be useful to have some of this handy - it is a probiotic that can be sprinkled over the food if there are any problems. The pups may well be stressed the first day with you, and this will help. It is available at vets and vet shops.
It's not a problem if you don't get the above - other items that you could also try are small amounts of pumpkin daily (I buy the cubed pumpkin from the spar, microwave, and feed a tablespoon to each pup every day). Also they are enjoying a tablespoon of yoghurt each afternoon as well (plain, medium fat).
So far their stools have been good (except the fish day!), but it is important to keep tabs on this.
FISH..!
Ugh everything smells like fish, the yard, the deck, the house, the dogs... the puppies!!
We had a fish party - my dogs were all given raw fish heads to gnaw on. The pups had a small go at one (was perhaps not a great idea, but they did enjoy it!). Needless to say everyone has had a bath.........
We had a fish party - my dogs were all given raw fish heads to gnaw on. The pups had a small go at one (was perhaps not a great idea, but they did enjoy it!). Needless to say everyone has had a bath.........
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Some observations
The pups are really developing some special personalities. I have invited the next bunch of people on Sunday afternoon for some more handling. This time I have included the elderly and some children. All the pups love being handled and are not at all shy!
Blue boy likes to run around at top speed. He races all over the place and interacts with anything he can. He is very zippy and light on his feet. A miniature thug...
Teal boy is still oh so sweet, loving all the cuddles. He is no pushover, though, he takes what he gets, so when the thugs start laying it on thick, he holds his own and doesn't get flattened!
Lime boy is the "middle child". Quite gentle in nature and likes quieter games as well as cuddles. He has become very sweet, but still very inquisitive.
Purple boy is also a bit of a speed freak, and finds himself in the middle of every game, every activity. He is not shy to grab on with his razor sharp teeth and hang on!
Red girl has received a little talking to from me, she is a little wild at times, but I have started some name recognition training, and this has helped tremendously with getting her under control!
We love dragging the bath mats around the house, chewing on and shredding screwed up paper, chewing on bricks (!), dragging each other around by the tails, and barking (eish).
Blue boy likes to run around at top speed. He races all over the place and interacts with anything he can. He is very zippy and light on his feet. A miniature thug...
Teal boy is still oh so sweet, loving all the cuddles. He is no pushover, though, he takes what he gets, so when the thugs start laying it on thick, he holds his own and doesn't get flattened!
Lime boy is the "middle child". Quite gentle in nature and likes quieter games as well as cuddles. He has become very sweet, but still very inquisitive.
Purple boy is also a bit of a speed freak, and finds himself in the middle of every game, every activity. He is not shy to grab on with his razor sharp teeth and hang on!
Red girl has received a little talking to from me, she is a little wild at times, but I have started some name recognition training, and this has helped tremendously with getting her under control!
We love dragging the bath mats around the house, chewing on and shredding screwed up paper, chewing on bricks (!), dragging each other around by the tails, and barking (eish).
Grooming
Some of you are asking about grooming....
I like to use the plain Wampum pin brush - like below. Small is better than large.
www.wampum.co.za
Shampoos: I use PurePaws, but the Wampum shampoos are also excellent... or you can use something really plain like Purl from your vet :)
These are my favourites:
(they are highly diluted for use)
You can deal directly with Melanie Voges
info@purepaws.co.za
info@purepaws.co.za
Please use me as a reference :)
Video at 7 weeks
Yesterday evening I put on the video camera just to show you our evening interaction (please excuse the crap filming). It is a long video, so it's been uploaded onto YouTube with the link below (6 minutes).
The pups each get handled every evening, and sometimes brushed (informally). I usually have 1-3 of my older dogs out at the same time - haha my old sheltie girl, Q was a bit of a pain with the puppies teddy bear, sorry... The other 2 that were out yesterday were my old Aussie girl, V, and the young Sheltie boy, Zz.
As you can see I pick up the pups randomly, brush their coats haphazardly (they kinda like the playful feel of it), stop them from biting me (!) ouch.... little buggers find flesh so easily - like little piranhas!
I also try and play tuggy or ball with them, but Zz made it difficult yesterday by continually stealing the sheepskin tug.
I tired them out like this for about 15 minutes, and then friends came over and did the same for another half an hour.... followed by photos (If we do photos while the pups are too wide awake then it's absolute CHAOS!)
Enjoy the video :)
https://youtu.be/gq73z8B7Iow
The pups each get handled every evening, and sometimes brushed (informally). I usually have 1-3 of my older dogs out at the same time - haha my old sheltie girl, Q was a bit of a pain with the puppies teddy bear, sorry... The other 2 that were out yesterday were my old Aussie girl, V, and the young Sheltie boy, Zz.
As you can see I pick up the pups randomly, brush their coats haphazardly (they kinda like the playful feel of it), stop them from biting me (!) ouch.... little buggers find flesh so easily - like little piranhas!
I also try and play tuggy or ball with them, but Zz made it difficult yesterday by continually stealing the sheepskin tug.
I tired them out like this for about 15 minutes, and then friends came over and did the same for another half an hour.... followed by photos (If we do photos while the pups are too wide awake then it's absolute CHAOS!)
Enjoy the video :)
https://youtu.be/gq73z8B7Iow
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