Puppies had infection at 5 weeks - what's the fallout?

[Teresina]

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I have reserved a puppy (border terrier) which is now 5.5 weeks old, we are due to collect him at 8 wks. The breeder called yesterday to say the dam had mastitis which caused infection in the pups and they were put on antibiotics and hand weaned. The breeder says they are all well and recovered but she just wanted me to know. I had slight alarm bells ringing because she suggested the pups could leave "a bit earlier than the 8 weeks" (which I know should not happen) and I've started wondering how serious this must have been that all the puppies were affected by the mother's mastitis. And how this could have had an adverse affect on the puppy and what concerns, if any, I should now have about the pup in terms of health, development, etc ? I suppose what I'm thinking of are things like the pups missing out on time with their mother because the mother was ill, and they were ill, and how that would have affected the pups discipline/temperament; also, that the pup's natural defence system may have been weakened due to antibiotics. If he falls ill when we bring him home, presumably it will be regarded as "pre-existing condition" for any insurance claim I might need to make. Is it reasonable for me to ask the breeder if I can speak to her vet about the pups? I haven't signed up to a vet yet for the puppy, but would I be able to get advice just by phoning the (potential) vet even though I'm not registered yet? Am I overthinking this? What kind of questions should I be asking myself/the breeder/the breeder's vet/my vet?

​Sorry for all the questions but I want to be doing the right thing! And I'd appreciate any advice, thank you.

 

[dogmatize]

I think that it would be a good idea to look at the "champdogs" website forum. I am a member and I am certain that you would be able to get expert advice from people on there who will have experienced mastitis in their own bitches

 

[Raven oaktree]

Great idea about getting info from other breeders .

I have never bred dogs so unsure about mastitis in dogs , i do know in humans and sheep and goats its important for the little one to keep feeding . some people stop their animals feeding for 24/48 hours if AB's are needed to give them a chance to kick in , but i would imagine if the puppies got an infection then the mastitis must have been very bad , possibly gangrene mastitis ..then you may have to ask questions as to why it wasn't noticed in the dam till it got so bad the puppies were infected too .

I would be asking questions about the pups , if the pups were still with mum , but being bottle fed too . Those early weeks are so important for development of a puppy's social skills with other dogs . Its not impossible to put right , but its not easy either . We have a youngster that was hand reared away from mum and we have had a lot of problems in regards to her interactions with other dogs and quite a lot of fears . She is not quite 2 and to be honest is now a little superstar , but that has taken 12 months of very hard work to address her fears and aggression . She still cannot be in the same room as my old boy , but is totally fine with other dogs now and can now be trusted with other dogs in the park and at class and at the place she goes to for boarding when we have a short break.

A pup that has been hand reared away from mum will struggle more than a pup that has been with mum , but if you know about this from the start you can find a good trainer who will help address this early on .

as regards infection ..i honestly wouldn't worry about it and don't think its something the insurance need to know about . It was probably just a dicky tummy caused by the puss or AB's , just a tummy upset so it really isn't anything serious or an existing condition as its unlikely to have any lasting effects .

You could always ring the vet you are going to register with and ask to speak to a nurse , explain you are planning to adopt and explain what you are worried about . I'm sure they will reasure you .

Again , my only concern here is not that the dam had mastitis , but it was allowed to develop to the point the puppies got sick , so i would be asking questions about the standard of the breeder and the health precautions they take in ensuring the puppies and mother are in the best of health .

 

[gypsysmum2]

Yes, you can phone your potential vet and ask for general advice.

Pups stay with the litter until they are 8 weeks old so that they can do some very important socialising. The mother teaches them manners and they other pups ostracise them if they become bullies. These are all valuable life lessons.

If your breeder is not well set up they may be struggling to cope with a litter of boisterous pups and just want them to go.

If you are at all unsure then do walk away.