​First 48 Hours With Your New Puppy​

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This is a list of instructions and observations a new puppy owner needs to observe during the first 48 hours with a new puppy.   Your puppy should not go longer than 24 hours without eating once they arrive.  A condition called hypoglycemia is the result of burning more calories then consumed.  The result is low blood sugar which leads to lethargic behavior and a seizure.  Stress can cause the body to burn calories and can depress a puppies appetite.

The transition from my home to yours is very stressful so it is very important to observe your new puppy closely.  I require that a new puppy owner be able to stay home the day after the puppy arrives to monitor him or her and make sure they are adjusting to the new environment.   I also recommend that you keep the environment quiet and give the puppy time to adjust before showing him off to family and friends.  Allow the puppy plenty of time to sleep and rest.  Limit the time kids are allowed to play and hold the puppy during this transition period.  

When you get your puppy home the most important thing to observe is that your puppy eats within 24 hours of his arrival.  Your puppy will come with a sample bag of puppy food.  If your puppy does not eat the dry kibble then you must offer him some thing else.  A little canned puppy food or some chicken baby food mixed with the kibble should do the trick.   Leave water out for the puppy so he can drink at will.  I free feed my pups so I leave dry kibble out as well.  Once your puppy is going strong you will need to stop mixing the food. 

The signs of hypoglycemia are:  Lethargic behavior,  low body temperature, and or a seizure.  Normal body temp for a puppy is 99 to 101.5.  Please do not mistake resting as a sing of hypoglycemia.  It has to be accompanied by not eating.   If your puppy shows any of these signs you need to call me and your vet.  Give the puppy 3cc of karo syrup immediately.  This will give him a sugar boost.  If a puppy is hypoglycemic they will not eat so once in this stage you cannot correct it by trying to get the puppy to eat.  You have to correct it with the sugar boost.  

​Please call me day or night with any questions if you feel your puppy is not acting or feeling alright!!!!!