Shipping Babies
In shipping puppies & kittens, we all want to give them something last minute to get them to their destination with ease. Companies market to this instant mentality, but that product does not exist! Getting puppies or kittens ready for shipping starts at weaning and goes through the first week at the new owner’s home. We don’t have to please the owners – they already like the baby we shipped. We have to impress the veterinarian that examines the puppies or kittens after shipment. Managed correctly, you will have a clean fecal exam and no disease. The vet will find you to be a responsible breeder, if you get that done!
Your place is not stressful to a puppy or kitten. They have brothers and sisters around and you pet them and feed them on a consistent schedule. It is going to be stressful to leave home and move; where some child may think you are a toy! We have seen puppies in purses, baby buggies, and back packs – difficult to get use to we are sure. You see our issue? No matter how you explain puppy care, you must get kittens and puppies ready for the abnormal. They will manage the stress just fine with protection.
Your place is not stressful to a puppy or kitten. They have brothers and sisters around and you pet them and feed them on a consistent schedule. It is going to be stressful to leave home and move; where some child may think you are a toy! We have seen puppies in purses, baby buggies, and back packs – difficult to get use to we are sure. You see our issue? No matter how you explain puppy care, you must get kittens and puppies ready for the abnormal. They will manage the stress just fine with protection.
Feeding Stress:
Weaning and eating solid food is #1 in shipping puppies or kittens! They have to know the food texture and eating before shipping. If they are not good eaters – keep them another week.
Diet:
Diet is difficult to control, but tiny kittens or puppies it is critical! Stomachs are small and tiny puppies should have the opportunity to eat 6 times a day and kittens should always have food available. We like to go over diet with the owners and ask them to make no changes the first two weeks and slowly after that. Owners will feed off the table. The puppy/kitten pack should say do not feed more than 10% of diet in table food and be sure there is plenty of time to get in multiple meals a day. For small breeds and kittens, we ask new owners to give Doc Roy's® Forti-Cal™ Gel for the first month -- first week 3 times a day, twice a day for a week, and then once a day until over 4 pounds. High calorie, yes, but the vitamins tend to keep kittens and puppies on food. The key to shipping babies is get them on food and keep them eating. Consistent growth will keep them healthy!
Disease Prevention:
Parasites start with mom (article: Managing Parasites) and follow through the first week in a new home. We must control Giardia and Coccidia -- a big issue when veterinarians diagnose. Marquis® can be given just before shipping as Marquis will prevent Coccidia for 7+ days, the most stressful week. Giardia is controlled at 6 weeks and we ask the next owner to deworm with Panacur®/Safe-guard® after arrival. Many catteries give Safeguard three days before shipping rather than trust the new owners to accomplish that task. That controls the Giardia during stress. Your goal is to make sure the veterinarian at the other end cannot find parasites including Coccidia!
Vaccines are insurance against disease at their new home. Be sure you have one Distemper vaccine and two Parvo vaccines in at least one week before shipping along with a kennel cough. Kittens get no vaccine until 7 weeks (Panleukopenia issues) and a booster at 9 weeks then ship at 10 weeks. We can ship with one FvRCP 3-way in, but we do not like to. All should be completed at least one week before they leave to give kitten/puppy time to respond and protection up. The veterinarian at the other end is going to vaccinate the baby so ask them to in the puppy/kitten pack and plan for it in your series.
Vaccines are insurance against disease at their new home. Be sure you have one Distemper vaccine and two Parvo vaccines in at least one week before shipping along with a kennel cough. Kittens get no vaccine until 7 weeks (Panleukopenia issues) and a booster at 9 weeks then ship at 10 weeks. We can ship with one FvRCP 3-way in, but we do not like to. All should be completed at least one week before they leave to give kitten/puppy time to respond and protection up. The veterinarian at the other end is going to vaccinate the baby so ask them to in the puppy/kitten pack and plan for it in your series.
Dehydration:
When the shipping date is known – put electrolytes in the water 3 days before and during shipping. We find RE-SORB®, calf electrolytes, to be the most economical and easy to use. RE-SORB® is also easy to clean out of the water bottle. Use at one packet per gallon of water as the only water source. Puppies and kittens will drink it over the fresh water if given the option. RE-SORB® comes in a double pouch – one smaller with electrolytes and a larger with Dextrose. Take a water bottle and put 1 tsp of electrolytes and 2 tsp of the larger dextrose in and send with owners to mix 50/50 with water and use until gone. That helps with car shipping. We like sending RE-SORB® packets in the puppy pack and tell new owners to mix in one gallon of water for puppy Gatorade – use in water bowl until gone. Both work well
Home on Meds - NO!:
Sending medication home with the puppy/kitten is never a good idea! The law says you are admitting guilt that you have the disease when you ship with meds. (New York case) Many use Albon® for this and it is dangerous and gives a negative “I have an infective kennel” message to the veterinarian. We have had owners give us medications sent with puppies and ask us why they are necessary. It is difficult to explain without saying the kennel or cattery has a problem they are trying to control. Not accepted well by owners so do not do it. Most new owners do not give them so if they need medication – keep them another week and re-evaluate for shipment.
Probiotic is difficult to quantify when used on a healthy puppy we are shipping. We know the Probiotic bacteria we are feeding are replaced within 3 days of stopping them with normal gut bacteria. When you have a diarrhea that is good because Probiotic bacteria take up space occupied by bad bacteria until normal flora can take over. With normal gut flora the assistance is negligible. We know of several people who use the Probios® Powder for 3 days with RE-SORB® electrolytes before shipping as a precaution. Be sure to use 2 million CFU a day to get maximum effect and let me know if you benefit from it
Probiotic is difficult to quantify when used on a healthy puppy we are shipping. We know the Probiotic bacteria we are feeding are replaced within 3 days of stopping them with normal gut bacteria. When you have a diarrhea that is good because Probiotic bacteria take up space occupied by bad bacteria until normal flora can take over. With normal gut flora the assistance is negligible. We know of several people who use the Probios® Powder for 3 days with RE-SORB® electrolytes before shipping as a precaution. Be sure to use 2 million CFU a day to get maximum effect and let me know if you benefit from it
HI, I DO SOME {ON HOME MED'S} FOR MY PETS BUT I ALL SO CHECK WITH MY VET TO SEE WHAT HE/SHE AS TO SAY!!! THANKS CONNIE
You're The Expert:
Trust your program and your judgment. You are the puppy and kitten experts. You have been getting this baby ready for their new home before they were born! If you feel they are not ready to go – wait a week. If they are ready to go, send accurate information and move them on.
Mothering is what all babies want and with your guidance,
the new owner will make your baby thrive!
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The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.
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Mothering is what all babies want and with your guidance,
the new owner will make your baby thrive!
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.
Return to Articles