The cavalier puppies are now thriving again – last week feels like it both just yesterday and also like it was a year ago. It will be too soon if I ever have to do that with a puppy again. But grateful to know what to do.
The babies are wobbly walking around, and starting to play together. They make cute little growls and play bite each other. It is beyond adorable. They are eating mushy solids and really starting to get into the idea that food is awesome 🙂
Enjoy the photos of them this week. We missed last week while Josie was struggling so I thought I would do them on the blue chair. A couple of these puppies will be available so if you are interested, please contact me through my questionnaire
Cavalier King Charles puppies are fragile. It’s not uncommon to lose one at birth, or shortly after. They easily get chilled or dehydrated, or just pass away for reasons unknown.
For about 5 days this week, my whole litter had weird diarrhea. Watery, light yellow and very stinky. I took them to the vet several times but their stool samples showed nothing in it. We gave them a long acting antibiotic (convenia) and tylosin and probiotics. We than added Albon just in case there was something we missed like coccidia in the stool sample.
On Thursday of this week, I noticed the littlest pup, Josephine, was not doing well. She wasn’t able to nurse as long as the others and was seeming to be very dehydrated. She then seemed to be aspirating it as she started to foam at the mouth, and bleed from the nose while struggling for air. We started oxygen support and called the vet (again). He felt that she was too sick and the best course of action was to humanely euthanize her and to go to the ER (it was after hours).
I should also add that I was home alone from Wednesday as my husband and daughter went out of state for a college visit.
I called my husband sobbing and he had some good advice. He told me that while going to the ER was good, it wouldn’t be a good idea as then I leave my other 3 pups unattended for an unknown amount of time. He felt I should just love on her while she passed at home. So, that’s what I did.
Meantime, a friend of mine who lives in Spokane and breeds beagles (Dolly from JoyfulNoise beagles) drove 5+ hours to come and help – I had no idea and when she arrived I was so grateful for the help and support. My other friend Becky, who isn’t in “dogs” at all, came over also and brought coffees and made meals – I was so so grateful.
Dolly and I, with the support of food from Becky, subQd and held little Josie and her siblings through the night and Friday. At one point she was floppy and had lost all color in her feet, and tummy – she was all white. Her breathing slowed down to once every 5-10 seconds and she didn’t twitch (normal in a healthy pup). Dolly and I tried to make a plan of what point we should take her to euthanize her – it was very hard to talk about.
Dolly then came across a blog that talked about enema’s and the power they have to hydrate and replace electrolytes. The blog talked about in extreme cases you can do it every hour for 24 hours. So, we decided to give it a go. If you want to read the blog, i will attach it below. The recipe for the emema is:
1 liter of water 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 2 tablespoons of agave nectar 1/2 tablespoon of sea salt Combine all ingredients in a water bottle and warm and slowly give your dog the amount recommended by the veterinarian. WARNINGS DO NOT use alternative sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose or stevia, as they will not supply the sugars needed to balance canine electrolytes. Commercial products designed for humans may contain the sweetener xylitol, which can cause poisoning, seizures and death in dogs. The fluid MUST have electrolytes! NEVER EVER give a straight water enema. Again, the reason for this is because a straight water enema will only dehydrate your dog further.
Dolly and I are both believers and so we prayed over her and committed her life and death to God. My mom also happened to call from NZ and she prayed with us also. There was lots of crying – it didn’t help we were running on days without sleep and it was midnight. All of a sudden Miss Josie started to twitch a little – her ears and eye brows. Then her feet and then finally her whole body. We tube fed her a small amount and all of a sudden she was up on her feet. Dolly and I were blown away – we prayed in thanks to God as I can only describe this as a total miracle.
Josie needed support and we continued to give enemas every 1.5-2 hours and fed her very small amounts from tube feeding every 1-1.5 hours. So, literally we were feeding and pottying around the clock. But it worked. She went from strength to strength and by Monday was strong enough to nurse off mom again.
I should also add that the other pups diarrhea improved slowly but surely over the weekend also.
Dolly headed home before a storm hit and thankfully made it safe and sound. And I sit and marinate in thankfulness to the miracle that I experienced and that I am certain to God be the glory. <3
Winter in the PNW can be a little dreary at times as the weather is wet and the dogs can’t get out as much as we would like them to. It has been cold and so the rain has turned to ice, but since it’s not raining, we are playing outdoors anyway.
Enjoy the photos of them from today. I love watching them play.
We put up Christmas this weekend – we decorated the tree and put up our stockings – the festivities have begun. I couldn’t resist taking a couple of cute photos of the cavalier puppies – Sly is going to his new home today and so it was perfect timing for the very last photos of them all.
These will be the last photos of the babies all together as the boys are heading off to their new homes in the coming. I am so thankful that they went to the vet this week and got a clean bill of health and are strong and ready. (even if they are small – but growing)
The beautiful thing about fall and ruby cavalier king charles pups is that they look so gorgeous together. The PNW has taken a cold and wet turn and so time outside has been limited for the cavalier pups.
However, we had an afternoon of a break and I took the cavalier babies outside for a little play in the leaves. We didn’t stay out there long as I didn’t want them to get chilled, but I took some cute pictures while we were there.
This was a big week for our little cavalier pups. With the boys back to full health, they were able to move into the dog room – they are enjoying all the new toys, the mini stairs and they have loved meeting the bigger dogs.
We have had a cold and wet spell here in the PNW, and so they haven’t had any outside time yet – I hope this week we might get a few warmer afternoons so they can go outside for a bit.
So – for now, enjoy the pictures of them from today – 6 weeks old.
Sometimes we place puppies and for a miriad of reasons it doesn’t work out. There is no shame or blame in admitting that your family is not right for the dog, or that you don’t have enough time to dedicate to their needs at this time.
This is why, as an ethical preservation breeder, I will always take my dogs back – regardless of age. I want to be part of them finding their forever home, hoping this placement is the right one.
Gus is from my Christopher x Charlotte litter back in November. He is currently 11 months old and up to date on his vaccines etc. He has no allergies or illnesses. He was checked by a vet and is healthy. He also had his heart/eyes cleared by a cardiologist/ophthalmologist at 8-10 weeks. He has also recently been neutered.
Gus has a great enthusiasm for life – he is not your “couch potato” cavalier. He is smart, and energetic. Although in saying that he also loves to kiss and cuddle on our knee.
His family unfortunately never took him to puppy socialization classes etc. and so I have worked on these things for 3 months while he has been with me. He now walks calmly on a leash and is less silly when he meets people.
Gus is sweet and smart and eager to please (with enthusiasm). He is potty trained (finally) 🙂 LOL.
I want to be completely honest with the new family about these things as I want his next home to be his forever home. Till that comes along, he has a forever home with us here at Kazuri, and we will keep working with him and training him.
If you are interested in Gus, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Gus is being offered for $3500 which is a $1000 discount. I would recommend highly that his new family continues to work with him with a obedience class and maybe even a socialization class. He has never shown aggression, but social skills need to be polished
If you think you might be the right fit for Gus, please email me sarah.sweetman@outlook.com or fill out an offical application
