Friday, March 9, 2012
I (the breeder, Jan) consider myself a conscientious dog owner, but have already learned some things you won't find in the books. For example:
1) Not all spot on flea and tick treatments can be used on pregnant bitches. Vectra, the one I use, because my dogs react to Frontline, is one that has not been tested. My other dogs can continue to use it, but Irish cannot while pregnant or nursing. Recommend you clear your flea/tick treatment with your vet before you breed.
2) My dogs are on heartworm medicine, Interceptor (milbemycin oxime), year-round. The package states it also treats the dog for worms. It does, but even with a clear stool sample at the vets and no symptoms, most dogs still have worms and should be de-wormed periodically. The bitch must be de-wormed with Panacur (liquid) about day 42 for 3 days and during the last week of pregnancy for 3 days. De-worming minimizes transplacental and transmammary transition to the puppies of parasites. Not de-worming risks the health of the pups and the potential for runts. And you still have to de-worm the pups at 3, 6, and 8 weeks of age!
3) You also need to de-worm your other dogs and cats at the same time. Many of these parasites are passed in the stool and can be picked up from the soil and ingested when the dog licks its paws, eats something dead, eats stool or ingests a flea. Too gross to think about but you have to. Step up your poop patrols in your yard and keep an eagle eye on what they eat when you're on your walks.