For Dogs Without Boundaries - Dogs Naturally Magazine
For Dogs Without Boundaries - Dogs Naturally Magazine
For Dogs Without Boundaries - Dogs Naturally Magazine
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Submitted by Roberta Jamieson<br />
Lepus Perm. Reg’d Whippets (1976) & Italian Greyhounds (1991)<br />
When you have a litter on its way, or just born, be sure to<br />
have the following on hand as soon as possible:<br />
Several bags of Lactated Ringers solution for giving Sub-<br />
Cutaneous fluids (Sub Q fluids). If the pups are large<br />
breed and if it is a large litter I would say at least ten<br />
bags, but for toy breeds , 3 or 4 bags total should do for a<br />
couple days. Included with this you will need at least<br />
two to three lines and many #20 or 22 gauge sharps (I<br />
prefer the #20 to #22, as the fluid will enter under the<br />
skin faster). You can inject the ringers via syringe, if you<br />
can’t get the IV type line from your vet. Remember that<br />
if you are giving sub Q fluids the bag must be warmed<br />
to body temperature: this is extremely important. Do<br />
this by placing the bag in a bowl of hot tap water for a<br />
few minutes until the bag fluids feel warm to the touch;<br />
and remember if you are using an IV type line, that the<br />
bag must be hung higher than the puppy laying in your<br />
lap for good flow. The fluid will slightly cool on its way<br />
down the line, so warming the bag slightly higher than<br />
body temp is a good idea. Cold sub Q Fluids could make<br />
a pup go into shock, especially when you are trying to<br />
keep sick puppies warm.<br />
Have lots of syringes or large eyedroppers to give oral<br />
fluids.<br />
Plain Pedialyte (available at most pharmacies)<br />
Colloidal Silver (available from most health food stores,<br />
although it's best to buy a CS maker to make your own.)<br />
Herbal tinctures: oregon grape tincture, astragalus, ecchinacea<br />
( I mix the Pedialyte half and half with colloidal<br />
silver, and I add about 4 drops of each of oregon grape<br />
tincture, astragalus tincture & echinacea tincture) This<br />
is given orally. I will give the 50:50 Pedialyte/CS mix as<br />
an enema if the puppy is not keeping the fluids down<br />
well. If they don't keep the enema in, then I immediately<br />
start sub Q fluids with the above ringers solution. You<br />
can also use oil of oregano, however it is not taken well<br />
by sick puppies (it is very strong and may interfere with<br />
homeopathy if you choose to use it).<br />
Keep aconite 30c and Australian Bush Flower Emergency<br />
Essence (aka ABFE Emergency Essence) on<br />
hand. Aconite is to be given to all pups the minute you<br />
suspect the first puppy is sick. My rule of thumb is that if<br />
one is acting a little off (sleepier than normal) with some<br />
foamy vomit or diarrhea, assume it is parvo. After the<br />
aconite is used, you should use the ABFE Emergency<br />
Essence two to 3 times a day for mildly sick pups. If the<br />
puppies become very ill and are in need of Sub Q fluids<br />
(i.e. they will not take or hold oral/enema fluids), then<br />
increase the ABFE Emergency Essence to every hour or<br />
two dosing.<br />
It is important that all affected puppies are kept separate<br />
from the litter in a secure area (such as an X-pen). The<br />
puppies must be near a heat source and their enclosure<br />
must prevent drafts.<br />
Some of those things are more important to have on hand<br />
than others (i.e. some people prefer to treat straight homeopathically<br />
rather than with herbal tincture, CS or the<br />
like). The main thing is to prevent the pups from having<br />
shock, dehydration and pain. The ABFE Emergency Essence<br />
is for shock and pain, and the aconite is for the initial body<br />
shock of the illness, and can help prepare and prevent the<br />
rest of the litter from getting very ill once the first puppy<br />
starts showing signs of illness. The extremely important<br />
things to have on hand (and to know how to use/give) are<br />
the lactated ringers, syringes or eyedroppers, Pedialyte, the<br />
aconite 30C or ABFE Emergency Essence (or a homeopathy<br />
kit and knowledge on how/when to use) and a draft free<br />
and warm location for the puppies.<br />
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www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com January/February 2010 | 35