[Daisy01]

I work in rescue and one of our foster families is caring for a young mother dog and her 7 pups. We lost 2 pups at age 2 weeks, and 3 weeks. Just this week (age 4-5 weeks) we noticed two of the pups where not walking properly. They did not show any other signs. We took them to the vet who said it was 99% sure it was distemper Sadly we had to put to sleep these two pups. What do I need to do to provide a chance for the other 3 remaining pups. Their mom is a rescue dog off a reserve that was unvaccinated. They were not around any other dogs, other than their mom.

Please help.

[Daveyo]

First check the dog for temperature readings. Then do a distemper antibody check drawing out some blood. Do this right away. If mother not vaccinated, vaccinate her now but she must be healthy. Do not vaccinate if sick.

If the readings show distemper, then follow my instructions as I have posted here and get the NDV immediately. If the test is negative, inject the dogs with chloroamphenical and do for 3 days. This antibiotic is very sensitive to any internal infections and also sensitive to parasites and worms.

Also besides testing for the blood and distemper, do the urine test to see if they have any kidney infections.

If all come negative, deworm the dogs ASAP Lopatol 100 should be given 3 times -3 weeks apart.

Most puppies at this age will not walk very well and their coordination will be off. Think of a human baby - do you expect your baby to walk right away 6 weeks after birth?????? Same for dogs. Most puppies will start walking much closer to 8 weeks.

Since the mother dog was not vaccinated, your puppies do not have any immunity either. No maternal immunity. If all the tests are negative against the Big 10 diseases that dogs get, and the puppies are healthy, then start the vaccinations now. Distemper and other diseases will not wait for you. These dogs are very vulnerable right now.