I sit with deep sorrow as I write this post and deliver some heart wrenching news. Last night our litter suffered a huge loss. And with it, my personal favorite of the female pups. Yellow was discovered lifeless when I entered our room to call it a night. My discovery left me shocked and broken hearted!
The evening began as all evenings I work do. A quick check on the pups when I get home followed by dinner for the rest of the pack. Once the adults are set up and settled I return to tend to the pups. I've been leaving them with a full bowl of kibble and a good sized pot of water when I leave for work in the morning and I generally come home to much of both food an water consumed. Inevitably though there's always some kibble strewn around the area thats been set up for sleeping and eating. With so many pups eager to get their share, there's always one or two that dive in the food bowl with all fours. Last night was no exception. And while there's always some food in there it seems they are always excited about getting a fresh supply. I generally feed them first thing, let them eat and then clean the corral and add fresh shavings an hour or two later. Again last night was no exception. Once the pups were settled for the night I returned to my desk to complete the slide show I'd promised and to finish up my online CPR course. I've never really thought it dangerous leaving the pups unattended with kibble strewn around, or a full bowl for that matter, but I fear now the kibble was likely the cause of the loss of the pup. Since she was perfectly healthy and playful two hours prior, aspirating some kibble and thereby blocking her airway is the only thing I can think of that could have happened. The position in which I found her leads me to believe it was the cause as well. I've seen my adults choke on kibble numerous times and a good cough or several clears it. I can imagine however, it not clearing especially with such a young pup. The thought haunts me but again it's the only explanation I can think of. I envision a pup with a mouth full of food being knocked over by another in play and ending in disaster. I wish I would have known... wish I could have been there and I wish I could have done something. And I'm sorry I've had to deliver this news. I felt an explanation was in order.
:-(
The evening began as all evenings I work do. A quick check on the pups when I get home followed by dinner for the rest of the pack. Once the adults are set up and settled I return to tend to the pups. I've been leaving them with a full bowl of kibble and a good sized pot of water when I leave for work in the morning and I generally come home to much of both food an water consumed. Inevitably though there's always some kibble strewn around the area thats been set up for sleeping and eating. With so many pups eager to get their share, there's always one or two that dive in the food bowl with all fours. Last night was no exception. And while there's always some food in there it seems they are always excited about getting a fresh supply. I generally feed them first thing, let them eat and then clean the corral and add fresh shavings an hour or two later. Again last night was no exception. Once the pups were settled for the night I returned to my desk to complete the slide show I'd promised and to finish up my online CPR course. I've never really thought it dangerous leaving the pups unattended with kibble strewn around, or a full bowl for that matter, but I fear now the kibble was likely the cause of the loss of the pup. Since she was perfectly healthy and playful two hours prior, aspirating some kibble and thereby blocking her airway is the only thing I can think of that could have happened. The position in which I found her leads me to believe it was the cause as well. I've seen my adults choke on kibble numerous times and a good cough or several clears it. I can imagine however, it not clearing especially with such a young pup. The thought haunts me but again it's the only explanation I can think of. I envision a pup with a mouth full of food being knocked over by another in play and ending in disaster. I wish I would have known... wish I could have been there and I wish I could have done something. And I'm sorry I've had to deliver this news. I felt an explanation was in order.
:-(
RSS Feed
