Pregnant Rescue...help

[misscrosson]

So I'm just posting because a cousin of mine has a dog that's pregnant. She got the dog just this week from a friend who's neighbour had the poor little shih tzu tied up in their yard all day and night and rarely fed her. So they begged the owners to give up the dogs and my cousin decided to take the shih tzu...

When the dog was taken to the vet on friday she found out she was pregnant..... they're assuming from the male cocker spaniel dog that the owners also had.

My cousin doesn't know if she can keep the pregnant shih tzu now... so I'm thinking we'll take her in...

AND BEFORE ANYONE POSTS ABOUT TAKING THIS DOG IN TO ADORT THE PUPPIES, PLEASE DONT... BECAUSE I DONT BELIEVE IT'S RIGHT TO DO THIS!! NOR DOES MY COUSIN.

So, I've never had a pregnant dog.... so I have afew questions.... what should she be fed? I heard giving puppy chow is good... and eggs?

Also, what can be expected? I'm not sure how far long she is.... I forgot to ask...

Of course I'm ready to take on the vet bills, and finding forever homes...

[Tazwell]

Yup, I believe most people gradually switch them to puppy food during their pregnancy, and feed it to them throughout nursing time...

Thanks for rescuing that dog, I'm sure she really appreciates it :) Good luck!

[Tazwell]

Here, after I wrote that, I went and double checked-- and I found this link :)

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_care_of_the_pregnant_dog.html

[FemaleCheetah]

Yes puppy food should be fed during pregnancy and nursing but I would stay away from low quality foods such as puppy chow which is made by purina.

Try chicken soup for the puppy lover;s soul
Wellness
Solid Gold
Innova EVO

Something along those lines, she needs a nutritious diet.

Congrates on rescuing the poor thing.

[misscrosson]

Hello, sadly none of those brands are sold here. I'm located in Ontario, Canada..... in the middle of no where lol...

I feed my puppies currently Iams...

Is that an OK brand for her? Or what other brands are good?

[FemaleCheetah]

Iams is a terrible food to feed, it contains corn and by products which are a big no no.

Hmmmm I am not sure what types of food you guys have up there.

Do you have Nutro natural choice?

Hopefully someone else can take a peek and see what foods are sold in ur area.

[misscrosson]

Well, I know in Thunder Bay they have that brand... just checked..... but im 4hrs from there...... the town in near.... 30mins away...... only place to buy puppy food from is Canadian Tire, and Grocery Store... they have a small pet store, I'll check if they have any food there...... but last time I checked, their shelves were bare...

Only puppy food I've seen thus far is no name, iams, and purina

[VelvetFuzzbutt]

How far along is she? If you feed those, I would also suppliment with some meat and cooked egg(no salt, cheese..etc). Just passing on info i've read; You'll need a whelping box, or I heard wading pools work well. I would start looking for possible homes now, even if they don't leave until 9weeks or so.

Good puppy raising sites:
http://members.tripod.com/~Jerrier/Temperament.html

http://www.dogbehaviour.com/articles/dogs/socialisinglitter.htm

http://www.terrier.com/jrtca/contracts.php3

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/whelping.html

http://www.learntobreed.com/

http://www.clickersolutions.com/blog/index.htm

[misscrosson]

We already have 6 approved homes lined up :)

She's 4weeks i believe? I cant remember how many days my cousin said.