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Boxers/8 wk pup chokes to death

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Expert: - 6/13/2010


Question
My wife and 2 daughters traveled from our home in Virginia to rural eastern Pennsylvania to pick up an adorable 8 week fawn boxer with white markings. Less than 24 hours of being with us in our home she died while eating softened dry dog food recommended by the breeder. A dog trainer we hired was with us at the time going over how to properly handle our new addition. We all noticed Na'vi coughing trying to dislodge food. When we realized Na'vi wasn't breathing the trainer tried CPR as my wife held her  in her arms. The trainer tried to remove the food with his finger to no avail. Na'vi passed out and died.  
Na'vi had noticeable nasal congestion which the breeders vet stated was possibly due to pine shavings in her pen. The breeder removed the pine shavings a day or two before we picked up Na'vi. We anticipated the congestion would clear up. She also had eye discharge which had cleared up before we arrived to pick her up. Her eyes were noticeably cloudy.
How likely is it an 8 week old puppy choke to death from water softened dog food?
Could the congestion be a contributing factor to Na'vis death?
I your opinion should I seek a full refund from the breeder?

Answer
Hi John,

Sorry for the delay but for some strange reason I haven't been getting my questions from allexperts for about five days. I am very sorry to hear of your pup's passing.

I don't believe this is common or likely at all on the food. Just out of curiosity did the trainer have a pinch collar on this puppy at the time of this incident ?

There are many reasons this pup could have passed and I would ask for a refund or another puppy, a responsible breeder will have no problems with your request, but by all means have a certified health certificate from a vet on the new puppy before getting it. The pine shavings and congestion are most likely the cause from your description but not a certainty. A new puppy should not have cloudy eyes but clear bright eyes.

One other note there are several states known to be puppymill havens, PA being one of them.
Thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

Boxers

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Angela Donald

Expertise

I'll be happy to answer questions about boxer dog allergies,behavior,behavior modification,breeding,care,coat color genetics,diet,ear cropping,exercise,genetics,grooming,health,history,pedigrees,showing and training.

Experience

I am a dedicated dog enthusiast and guardian of boxers for 40 years, a boxer conformation show exhibitor and breeder as well as a canine behavior consultant with a special interest in the boxer breed. I currently share my life with six boxer dogs.See our family of Boxer Dogs

Organizations
American Boxer Charitable Foundation

Publications
I currently contribute regularly to Dog-Canine Blog.I am the founder and publisher of The Boxer Behavioral Journal,a scientific journal with detailed behavioral case study information,which someday I hope will add valuable knowledge to the breeding,care and health of the breed.I am also a freelance writer with my latest article: Distinctive Behaviors of Boxer Dogs found at http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerdogbehavior.htm and distributed on the world wide web.

Education/Credentials
I have a MBA from AU.I have gotten real life experiences from my 40 years of the family owning boxers and other canine breeds, through my boxer rescue rehabilitation efforts, obedience training of the breed, more than 20 years of study on dog-canine behavior, genetics, health research,from my work as a canine behavioral consultant,exhibitor and breeder. My quest for canine knowledge is a never ending journey.

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