Help! Runt Of The Litter...

[EAO76]

Did the puppy ever nurse off its mother? I read this info when I was helping with a litter that born while with my boxer rescue;

Puppies must get colostrum from their mothers to have full immunity to germs and diseases they will encounter in their first weeks. People used to think this had to occur in the first 48 hours. Now it is thought that only during, at most, the first 12 hours, and more likely the first 2 hours of their lives that this transfer of immunity is possible. The transfer of antibodies occurs only until the puppy's intestine develops the ability to screen out large molecules. This change in the intestine occurs very quickly, in the first few hours of life.

[kathysboxer]

IMO I would go with the runt. If he is properly being taken care of, he will be fine I would think. Tyson was the runt, but he didn't need to be bottle fed. We got him between 11 and 12 weeks old. So glad we waited. He is now almost a year old, and weighs about 60#.
As for the tail, I have seen quite a few boxers with tails, and they are adorable. Only thing I can think of would be when they wag it, if your near by, it may hurt. They are pretty long and I would think they could almost be hurtful to you if your too close
It is my understanding the dew claws are removed because there is a chance they could catch them on something, and accidently rip out. But IMO that would be pretty much any dog.
Good luck and can't wait to see pics of your new baby!!

[BoxerMoments]

Originally Posted by EAO76

Did the puppy ever nurse off its mother? I read this info when I was helping with a litter that born while with my boxer rescue;

Puppies must get colostrum from their mothers to have full immunity to germs and diseases they will encounter in their first weeks. People used to think this had to occur in the first 48 hours. Now it is thought that only during, at most, the first 12 hours, and more likely the first 2 hours of their lives that this transfer of immunity is possible. The transfer of antibodies occurs only until the puppy's intestine develops the ability to screen out large molecules. This change in the intestine occurs very quickly, in the first few hours of life.

Originally Posted by kathysboxer

IMO I would go with the runt. If he is properly being taken care of, he will be fine I would think. Tyson was the runt, but he didn't need to be bottle fed. We got him between 11 and 12 weeks old. So glad we waited. He is now almost a year old, and weighs about 60#.
As for the tail, I have seen quite a few boxers with tails, and they are adorable. Only thing I can think of would be when they wag it, if your near by, it may hurt. They are pretty long and I would think they could almost be hurtful to you if your too close
It is my understanding the dew claws are removed because there is a chance they could catch them on something, and accidently rip out. But IMO that would be pretty much any dog.
Good luck and can't wait to see pics of your new baby!!

At first the puppy was nursing off the mother. The breeder had called me the night after they were born and told me that he was smaller then the other three but he had been nursing so she didn't see a problem with anything.. then yesterday on the week update is when she let me know that she had to start bottle feeding so I'm not sure as to exactly how long he fed off the mother.

And the thing with the tail is that I keep reading how painful it is to the dog if you were to do it later. She told me if I really wanted to do it the best time would be to get it done is when I get him neutered. I just don't want to end up putting it through a ton pain if it doesn't have to. The only thing i'm worried about with the tail is that I have two kids and the youngest is 3 and I've heard some nasty stories about getting a boxer tail to the face and it leaving black eyes and stuff like that. That's really the main reason why i'd consider it.

[BoxerMoments]

I just spoke with the breeder again and he is feeding off the mother as well as the goats milk and she's been giving him something else the vet recommended I don't remember what it was called. He been moving around and acting the same as his brother and sisters, still gaining weight and the vet said he is perfectly healthy.. SO i'm happy and can't wait until 2 months from now to take my little guy home!!

[Box Boys]

I don't think I would dock the tail at this point. I've always heard the best time to do it would be by day 3. Later, I think it would not only be painful but the equivalent to you or I losing an arm or leg.

[ELubas]

My sweet Fraze was the runt-1/3 the size of his littermates. He ended up being almost eighty pounds and the love of my life. The breeder did keep him until he was twelve weeks. I agree with others that I would not do the tail at all-it just is not necessary.

Do be sure the health testing was done though and get proof of it. My Fraze was a beautiful boy but had SAS and that is what sent him to the bridge long before his time. I would worry way more about the testing than the fact that this guy is small. Good luck to you both-boxer puppies are heaven sent

[claresmom]

My Clare is the runt of the 8 pup litter and now she is a healthy 53 pound moose!

She was so tiny and her litter mates would just take advantage and beat her up. She also didn't eat as well, but once we took her home she discovered all the food was hers!

[BoxerMoments]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the pup ended up passing away. He got real sick and within a week passed. Thanks for everyone's replies. On a good note we did end up getting one from another place and couldn't be more happy.

[SweetCody]

Poor little thing. RIP sweet little . You were much loved from afar.


Congrats on your new baby.

[Just-A-Clown]

So sorry to hear of the pups passing,poor little sweet heart
Congratulations on your new pup