Very worried....long

Roxy'sNewMom · #1 09-14-2005, 07:07 PM

I have just posted 2 pics of Payton and I think she is getting skinnier. She will be 9 weeks old on Friday and weighs 11.5 lbs. When we got her she was a little chubby thing, and now I feel that she is skinny. It looks like her chest sticks out and her "tummy" is very caved in. Like the dogs you see on Animal Planet that are starving. Someone in our complex said "She sure is getting bigger". I said "You dont think she is skinny" she said "Well yeah I just thought they were supposed to look like that!"
As some of you know I have never had a puppy before and didn't know you were supposed to keep food down all the time, so for 3 days she has had constant food. Well, my friend works at a vet, and I was talking to her and she said the wieght is fine. Payton was seen at her vet.
Well today I casually asked "When will Payton be old enough to hold it longer than 1 hour and stop going potty in her sleep". She told me that there is probably something wrong with Payton if she isnt waking up at night and peeing in her sleep. Well I didn't know puppies didnt do that so I didn't say anything at the vet. HELP please.
I feel so freakin stupid, I love Payton more than anything in the world. I hope I didn't hurt her in any way, and not know it.
Here is where it gets best! We had a letter on the door today that someone told on us for getting a puppy and we had to pay $200 to be able to keep her or they wanted her out in 24 hours. I just spent $53 this week on shots for her. With all our bills and already having spent our "emergency fund" what do we do? I have only had my baby for a little over a week and I am already causing her harm. I must go cuddle her now, I just can't stop crying. Please help.
Shaunna

**gmacleod** · #2 09-14-2005, 07:14 PM

I saw your photo and I think she looks just fine. Absolutely normal for a boxer pup, and not at all excessively ribby. Remember that it is far far better for a puppy to be on the thin side, than ever to be chubby. That round puppy shape is not supposed to last past absolute babyhood (and if it does is often an indicator of worms LOL). It is not a good thing to try to put weight on pups - it usually simply results in them growing taller faster (and that's not good). Just let her grow up naturally

As for the peeing - actually she may be awake, just not crying to go out

But puppy bladders grow at different rates, and most will need a couple of potty stops per night to stay dry. Try setting an alarm for a couple of times each night to take her out and see if that doesn't help matters.

BeckyNC · #3 09-14-2005, 07:15 PM

Shaunna,

Hopefully Payton is fine and you're just being an overly diligent mommy! I have never raised a puppy myself, but it is my understanding they should be fed several times a say. You can probably do some research in the puppy forums for the exact info. In general, I'm not sure you should leave food down for her all the time. Just as with adult Boxers, it's ideal to feed at specific times during the day. Grazing is not the best way to feed, though plenty of people do it. I could not all allow it with my girl cuz she'd eat breakfast and dinner in less than five minutes and end up with a sick tummy.

Now, about the peeing in her sleep. Again, I have never raised a pup, but I CAN tell you that my niece did this when she was younger and potty trained. She would be sleeping so hard, she just didn't wake up. Since you have another Boxer and I have no doubt she and Payton have played a ton together, the pup may just be super tired and not wake up to let you know she needs to go potty. You may need to wake her up at a designated time during the night, or maybe several times and take her out. Again, though, I'm no expert, but I'm sure some others will chime in soon.

Becky

Roxy'sNewMom · #4 09-14-2005, 07:24 PM

I do all that. I take her out for the last time at 10. Get up at 12 and 2 to take her out. Husband gets home at 4 and takes her out. During the time from 10 to 4 am last night she peed in the bed twice (found her sleeping in it both times). Then today husband slept with her from 7 to 3 waking up every two hours and she peed on him 3 times. Once he was still awake and she was asleep on his chest and peed. She HAS to go out about 15 min after she drinks, and if she drinks when she comes straight in we have to take her right back out in 20 min or we have a mess......this stuff is stressfull....yet so rewarding.
Shaunna

Thanks for all the help.....I do appreciate it.

Roxy'sNewMom · #5 09-15-2005, 07:08 AM

So first we should try not giving her any water for 2 hours before bed? Cause last night she was sleeping and peed right on my chest! I KNOW she was asleep. I am freeking out so bad and I appoligize....I just dont need a sickly puppy! I love her toooo much
Shaunna

bayleighmom · #6 09-15-2005, 10:03 AM

Bayleigh also went through this stage. I would have people say, "Don't you feed her enough? She's too skinny, you can see her ribs. Puppies are supposed to be fat." After many reassurances from the vet and reading tons of posts here on BW I realized she was fine, just going through a phase! Payton will be fine!

Gus's Teah · #7 09-15-2005, 11:54 AM

I have to agree with everyone else, she looks just fine...and cute as a button by the way!

From what I've noticed they grow in weird spurts like kids - they get a little taller and thinner then just when it looks like they've put on some weight they shoot up again and get thin all over again. Don't worry, it will eventually stop and she'll fill out once she stops growing tall

Roxy'sNewMom · #8 09-16-2005, 07:55 AM

Well we have been taking her water away and Wed. night NO ACCIDENTS....last night....NO ACCIDENTS!! YEAH!!! You guys are so wonderful, and Payton and Roxy thank you, as well as my husband cause I was about to rush out to the vet!
Shaunna

josephine · #9 09-17-2005, 07:16 PM

Good job Payton!!!! I think that she's a cutie!! When Piper was a puppy I was worried about how skinny she is, in fact just the other day I was asking my fellow boxer friend if it was normal when she lays down for you to see through under her belly. I was also told that as long as you could only see the last 2 or 3 ribs she was alright, she'll fill out.