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Rosie the little runt.

kaytee576

Well-known member
Hey therem I recently lost my kaytee to the angels and I spent most of my time looking after her and worrying about her 24-7 as she was very poorly. I have two other cavs Rosie and Billy. They are 4. Of course they were treated well but now kaytee has gone I realize I did spend all my life focused on her.
Now she has passed I'm so lonely and have been really low but my Rosie has been a real comfort, Now I feel Ive shifted my worrying onto her, I know its silly but I have been so unlucky with my babies in the past and now I'm scared as history keeps repeating its self.
Billy had a health check recently and thankfully he is in good health YAY! Rosie is due for her check but I am having to save due to the expense we had with loosing kaytee and we crashed our car on the same day :(.

I will get her there asap but what I was wondering in the mean time is what does everyone know about the "runts" of the litter? I hate that word but so Ill say "Teeny"
Rosie didn't sell when she was a puppy because of this and the breeder gave her to us, she has slippy knees this was noticed on her first vet check when she was a pup but it seemed to correct itself and its rare now they pop out, only sometimes when she is on my lap OUCH bless her, but it doesn't make her cry out like it used to.

I have noticed though when I touch her tummy at the back by her hind legs she flinches, I take this as a sign of pain which got me worried, esp when she cried out once, yet there is no sign of tummy trouble and its been this way for a while now. I will get it checked.

Do you think that the runts have a good shot at life? I hope she will be happy and healthy, I heard of another cavalier runt who didn't make it to two :( I'm hopeing as Rosie is 4 she is out of the woods!

Thanks for reading and hugs to all xxx

rose.jpg
 
I don't know much about runts, but our cavalier was a bit runtish (she was a late bloomer and everything) and now she's a big jolly furball who so far has a good heart and clean bill of health. She's nearly 2 years old now. Don't worry about your Rosie, she looks good. Enjoy she is with you and don't worry about anything until you have to, take it from a worrywart too, life is far too short to worry about that stuff. Once she has her check-up, you'll know where to go from there anyway. Hope this helps.;)
 
I don;t really think you have anything special to worry about if she is already that age and fine.

On a more serious note -- maybe it would help to talk with somebody professionally, if you are recognising that you need to generate worries about the dogs and become anxious and panicky about their health? This is not good for the dogs (as they pick up on the anxiety and it will transfer to them... and in itself could create problems for them and a lot of stress). I'd be a bit concerned that as you say you have already found you have transferred all the worries about health to another of your dogs, as this isn't really fair to her or to you, and doesn't seem quite right. I'd think it might be a good idea to talk to someone and see if that burden can be lifted from your mind as you and your dogs would surely be happier if more stress-free. :flwr:
 
Helllo there

I wanted to share my thoughts as far as what you say about putting your worries on your dogs. Now although i havent lost a baby I have a lot of other stuff going on and yes have been making my dogs anxious and have noticed this from them wetting around the house when they are previously clean, being jumpy around sudden movemnets (when previously not bothered), pacing and whining around the house and barking far more than usual.

While I have been dealing with all the heartache I have been putting bachs recovery remedy in their water and have a plug in DAP on all the time. When out for walks I have been attaching their leads to my trouser belt rather than holding it on my hands so that any anxiousness I feel outside doesnt transfer down the lead to them aswell.
It takes a long time to get over loosing a dog and dont forget that the dogs need to grieve too as they feel the loss as much as you do.
Rosie is already 4 so im sure that she is just fine.
Kaytee will ALWAYS be your love of your life Im sure and there is nothing she would want more than for you to shower her siblings with lots of love and cuddles. I feel i spend more time worrying for Ruby and often worry if Charlie feels left out so I now make a point of taking him out jogging with me once a day for some special 1 on 1 time. This gives Ruby some well earned rest on her own aswell.

If push comes to shove , tallking to someone is very helpful- I havent got to that stage yet but if this week doesnt go well then I can sure see myself going down that road too.

I really do wish you all the best and we are all here to support you- I really do recommend the herbal remedies, they have made so much difference to my 2 over the last few weeks xxxx
 
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Rowley, the black and tan I had before Oliver, was the runt of a litter of 3 bred by a well-known breeder but I suspect the result of an accidental mating from a mum who was almost too old to have another litter. He had a lot of temperament problems (mainly coming from a birth defect - ? hydrocephalus - and resultant lack of socialisation at the vital age) but physically was as tough as old boots! He was tiny, never weighed more than 15lb, could walk 10 miles without puffing, was only ill once with a mild dose of colitis, and finally died at 10 and a half from sudden onset heart disease. So worrying about your girl just because she is very small is one thing you can cross off your worry list - and small size is a real plus when you have to carry a dog up an escalator at a train station, I miss Rowley every time I have to lug Oliver around!

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
My Cavalier lady was the runt of the litter - when we went to see her she was nearly half the size of her sister (we were looking for a bitch) and when we took her home she was still very small. She ended up being a monster - currently weighs 10.3kg and is a very large build Cavalier. She's lazy as sin and stubborn as a mule, tells all the other dogs what to do and is the boss in our house, but we love her to bits and wouldn't change a thing. She does have health problems but that is more down to her breed than being a runt.

We recently met another runt (now fully grown) Cavalier and he was tiny compared to my lady. It really just depends on the dog. Runts have a great shot at life, like any other dog, if they are cared for and loved. Your Rosie has a happy life and will have for years to come!
 
My next-door neighbor's dog, a Maltese, was the runt of her litter and still only weighs four or five pounds (2.2 kilos). She has been a healthy dog, very lovable, and is braving old age now at the age of 13 or 14 years.
 
Just to say your Rosie is beautiful, such a sweet and happy face.:l*v:
Just enjoy your dogs.
 
My Riley was the runt of the litter and still is tiny. She weighs in at just 12 pounds. She also has SM, but I don't think that's a function of her size. Despite her SM, she is a feisty, happy dog and enjoys life and has stolen our hearts. She can also hold her own with our other dogs. In her case, small does not mean wimpy!
 
My little Polly was the runt of the litter, she is now almost a year old and weighs in at 9lbs. She has a very petite build but is completely healthy and very active and has had no problems. Vet's say she's just perfect! Just petite :)
 
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