Walking Other Dog:risks To Puppies

[Liz]

Our female cocker, Niamh, has puppies that are nearly two weeks old now and I have found that advice re walking our other dog and indeed mum very conflicting so was interested to find out what other people do. I had planned on keeping the dogs apart throughout but as I am sleeping in the whelping room and spending most of the day in there as well our other dog, Blue a castrated male, is just sitting whining outside the door. I have therefore been letting him in to sit with me on the couch during the day which doesn't seem to bother mum in fact she's usualy very glad to see him providing he doesn't go near the whelping box. I am however very concerned about any risk of infection to the puppies.

Both our dogs are up to date with all jabs etc and so far I have only been letting them out in the garden which is fortunately large. Both dogs are beginning to get a bit stir crazy though and although I wouldn't consider taking mum out yet I was wondering about walking Blue if I disinfected his paws etc when he came back and kept him out of the whelping room for several hours afterwards. I was wondering if anyone could advise re their own experinces?

Any advice gratefully received.

Liz

 

[cbabe]

We have had to take our older dogs to the vets and walks when we have had litters in the house. My answer was to make up a spray bottle of disinfectant and spray the paws and 'undercarriage' (and my feet) when we returned. We have a disinfectant pad outside the front door too- just as a precaution.

The problem is you can't see infectionsso stopping them completely is an impossible task - you can only do things to minimise the chance of it reaching the pups.

[AmandaA]

Hi Liz molly had her frist litter in aug's this year and the first two to three day's she didn't want len {dad} to go in the welping box, she would if we was there but not on his own. When we went to the vet's he said to walk them as normal and when we get back home to wash them down { undercarrige and paw's} with dog shampo and water as it will not upset the dog's or puppies and to dry mum off well so the pup's don't get cold .we also brushed mum down well and checked for any little bug's she could have on her. After a week Molly would let Len in to help he made a good dad and all the puppies loved him.    

[Liz]

Thanks for the advice, I will proceed with caution and plenty of disinfectant!

Liz