The American Beagler Forum

My female beagle had 2 pups about 6 weeks ago. Not a planed pregancy, neighbors mutt got into the pen. Still had pups after have the abortion shot given. But that isn't the questions.

My children have become very attached so I guess they will stay around.

My 1st question is that the female has a soft bulge where the umbilical cord was? Will this heal on it's own or will it require a trip to the vet?

2nd question: where can I find wormer and vaccines for the pups and my other dogs cheap online?

3rd question: since the pups are not full blooded beagle, about 1/2 beagle, 1/4 something and 1/4 something, do you think they will be any good at rabbit hunting or just 2 new pets?

thank you for any help!
steven

1st question is that the female has a soft bulge where the umbilical cord was? Will this heal on it's own or will it require a trip to the vet?

She has what is called an umbilical hernia. It will not go away on it own, but should cause the pup and problems. You can have it surgically repaired if you wish, but this type of hernia doesn't normally require surgery.

2nd question: where can I find wormer and vaccines for the pups and my other dogs cheap online?


www.jefferspet.com

3rd question: since the pups are not full blooded beagle, about 1/2 beagle, 1/4 something and 1/4 something, do you think they will be any good at rabbit hunting or just 2 new pets?


Stranger things have happened, but I think you may have some really good and loyal pets

I have a 1-yr-old with a hernia like that. I had mine checked by the vet. He felt it and said it was ok because the knot was on the outside (between the outer skin and the colon). Basically, it is ok unless it feels like there is a hole you can push the knot up into. He said to leave it alone, and if I had her spayed at 6 months or so that he would remove the hernia at no extra charge. Of course, I may breed the dog, so I didn't do this. The only thing I worried about was her tearing it on a thorn, but it hasn't been a problem yet.

Most people I know give their beagles a watered down solution of Ivermectin once a month for worms. I get it from the vet, and it takes a long time to use up a small bottle. 1/10 of a cc per 10 lbs of dog. It takes care of pretty much everything but tapeworms, and they are not likely to get them unless you let the dogs get fleas. If I see a tape worm I usually get some Cestex from the vet. I wouldn't use the Ivermectin if you think the dogs were crossed with a collie or sheltie. They are extra sensitive to it at that dosage. I have to by Heartguard or Interceptor for my wife's sheltie.

I have been buying some of my stuff at http://www.drsfosterandsmith.com. I'm not sure it's the cheapest though. We've been buying shots from the vet and giving them ourselves because it's cheaper that way.

On the mixed up dogs rabbit hunting...A hunting buddy of ours had a fine weir creek bred bitch that got out and was bred by a yard dog and one of his other good beagles. I got 2 of the puppies, and as they grew it became evident that the yard dog was the one that got the job done (their ears were too short). I had these pups started on rabbits. Both ran a little, but at 1-1/2 yrs old I gave up on them. The female was little and had no mouth at all, would jump a rabbit but wouldn't run. The male was long legged and followed me around unless he smelled deer, then he was gone! They were interested in rabbits, but not interested enough. Little Red made a great pet for a friend of mine, and I traded Buster to a deer hunter for a female that was equally sorry. My advice is that you save yourself the time and heartbreak, and don't expect much.

Just my opinion.
Ben