Coppersheen D-litter: off to their new homes...

[Susan Stone]

June 26 2008
After an eventful and busy 9 weeks Erin's puppies are now leaving day by day... sad to see them go but also pleased they are going out into the world ready for new adventures. The new owners probably don't quite realize what they are in for:-)) but they were warned!!!


Erin is back to her normal wild self, fully recovered from her illness.

News Sunday, May 18th
I am happy to say that today things are looking better! Not the full recovery as yet but a definite improvement, thank goodness. Friday night had been restless as Erin did not get her dose of antibiotics due to vomiting her food, with her temperature rising again steadily during the night. The morning visit to the vet showed once again a hardened and swollen mammary gland which made an incision necessary. During the day we we noticed a marked improvement and this sunday morning although not yet perfect there are signs of healing being underway.
From now on antibiotics only by injection - this seems to have a much better effect but means daily trips to the vet!
Thank you all for your kind words and Monique, your kind offer to come and help!
Happily the pups are all thriving well and looking good. I can only be thankful the pups are of an age where they are not permanently reliant on mother Erin..

update today May 16th:
A bad night. At 02.00 I awoke to find Erin salivating, trembling, groaning and with a temperature of 39.5 despite being on antibiotics. Also another swelling had appeared... Fearing the worst I called the vet and was able to go immediately (thank god they do 24 hour emergency duty). A thorough check showed this was indeed the mastitis infection that was not responding to treatment. Immediate injections with a different type of antibiotic, pain killers, something to bring down the temperature, and Contralac to reduce the milk production.
Back home and a vigilant close watch of Erin - by 04.30 her panting ceased and she drifted off into a deep sleep. This morning she is markedly improved and was able to do her usual 'fight the vet' act... made me feel quite relieved for a change! Hoping & praying the treatment will carry on to take effect!!!
Pups are now being weaned early but will still suck the surplus milk off mum.

May 15th
To start with, let me say the pups are doing fine, they are 3 weeks old today.
The problem I am experiencing concerns the pup's dam Erin, who two days ago jumped over one of our dog gates that separate her and the pups from the rest of the dogs at night-time. The pups have an extra low fenced enclosure within that room so Erin is not forced to remain with them at all times.
The dog-gate is 70cm high and normally I had an extra higher fence in front to prevent her from jumping. On this one occasion this had been moved... with the following consequence: At 6 am I heard Erin jump over the gate and found her quivering and cringing with pain. At 8am I took her to the vet, who thought she had hurt her left hind leg and also took her temperature as a routine proceeding. This was up to 39.9C! The vet checked Erin's teats for mastitis but found all ok. The temperature made us uneasy a blood test was done. The results showed a rise in Leucocytes. By the next morning (yesterday) Erin had a definite hard swelling in her left hind teat so off to the vet again who confirmed mastitis. Treatment with antibiotcs. This morning: a nasty abscess had formed and just after I had called the vet it burst, leaving a horrid weeping deep red hole. Off to the vet as an emergency and Erin has now a 'drainage' (sorry, I don't know if this is the correct word) to clear the abscess. Pups are still feeding from Erin and hopefully can continue to do so. I am hoping that we have passed the zenith now and that healing is underway.
During this time Erin has never been off her food and is still taking good care of her puppies.

I know Erin is a 'jumper' so blame myself for removing that extra fencing...

Coppersheen D-litter has been born
On April 24th Erin (Northern Light vh Adelaarsvaren) gave birth to ten puppies by Copper's Mean Mr Mustard.
Sadly two girls did not make it over the first critical days, but the remaining 5 dogs and 3 bitches are doing great. The are sucking strongly and gaining weight nicely. Seems mum has loads of milk... Erin is being a very caring mother.
Grandparents (hubby and myself) have got over the lack of sleep but are still keeping a very close watchful eye over the family.

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Poor Erin! Luckely she seen to tace care of her puppies and eats well, wich is a blessin. Don´t be to hard on yourself, because it was an accident. I keeping my fingers crossed for her and her small ones

[Petra Kasznár]

Sorry to hear but I'm sure she will get better soon.
Wishing you a fast recovery!
Petra

[Alenka Pokorn]

Sorry to hear that. Pika did a similar thing last year with pups about 4 weeks old. She jumped out of the box and hurt her tit - got mastitis there. Luckily we cought it in time and antibiotics did the trick. We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed for you.

[Laura Kolbach]

Sorry to read your posts :-( but I am sure, Erin will be OK very soon! Thinking of you all, Laura, Odin and Auntie Danka

[Carmen Lorenzi]

Hallo Susan

Ich habs von meiner Ma gehört!!!
Drück ganz fest die Daumen, dass es Erin bald besser geht und sie auf die Antikiotika anspringt!!
Ich hoffe auf baldige schönere Nachrichten und knuddel Erin ganz fest von mir!!

[Nicole Wilson]

Very sorry to hear about this, Susan. I wish Erin a very speedy recovery and hopefully she'll continue to respond well to the new treatment. All the best of luck with the weaning of the wee ones too and lots of strength and courage!

[yvonne]

I will hold my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery of Erin , give her a big hug from me

[Susan Stone]

Thank you all for your good wishes for Erin's speedy recovery. Today she is feeling a bit better and the pups (so far) have no ill effects from her antibiotic treatment. She will be under strict supervision all night and I hope by tomorrow morning she will be well on the way to recovery!

[harriet]

best wishes for a good recovery of Erin Susan.

[Marta Magi]

She is in the best hands Susan, I'm sure. You do everything possible for her, and she is going to back to normal soon. No doubt!!!
Wish you the best of luck with Erin and the rest!