Yes, I'm officially ready to say it. We have a runt. Purple's collar fell off several days back and I never bothered to put it back on because at that time it was obvious she was smaller than the other pups. She remains smaller today; quite a bit smaller. I'll weigh them again on Monday but I don't need a scale to tell me she's most definitely the lightweight. In watching the litter, it's pretty obvious she's getting pushed away as I feared. And that of course creates the proverbial vicious circle. I've been making sure she gets some alone time with mom several times a day but she's most certainly not getting the opportunity to eat as well as the others. In general she's doing well. Although she feels more fragile and doesn't have the "fat puppy" look to her she isn't ribby either. Her mobility seems up to par with the others and when she's eating she seems eager but not frantic. Since I've never had what I would call a runt in a litter I've been goggling like mad. I've heard wives tales over the years regarding runts and what I've been reading doesn't conflict with what I've always heard. Sometimes the runts end up outgrowing their litter mates; sometimes they stay smaller. Sometimes they end up with health issues down the road but that is usually the case when the "runt" is also a "sickly" pup or a pup that mom herself may have pushed away. That fortunately doesn't describe Purple.
Even so, I've got a watchful eye on her and my job as her breeder is to make sure she stays healthy until she is able to eat from a bowl. Fortunately that time is nearing.
Even so, I've got a watchful eye on her and my job as her breeder is to make sure she stays healthy until she is able to eat from a bowl. Fortunately that time is nearing.
RSS Feed
