Hi

long story short- 10 week pup was involved in a rta last week, no broken bones but severe wiplash and muscle damage.Picking pup up from vets on monday, but he's on complete bed rest. Obviously this is a major socialisation period for the littleun that I dont want him to miss out on, what does anyone suggest....keep him at home crated or carry him around as if he hasnt had his injections yet?

Also how on earth am I going to get him back in a car?

Barbara

sorry to hear about the rta, hope everyone involved is ok! perhaps you could ask a few friends and family to come round so he still gets to meet people of different ages, sex and appearance, oerhaps they could bring some well behaved adult dogs as well, so he at least gets to see them and perhaps interact with them to a point.
depending how severe his injuries are you could perhaps carry him out into your street several times a day, and get him used to seeing traffic and crowsds etc (depending on where you live)
wih regards to the car,start by taking him in and not starting engine, perhaps sitting with him in boot and give him a tasty treat. then proceed to starting engine, and eventually do some short 5minute journeys, all positive and at his own pace.

So sorry to hear about your accident. Hope everybody was okay. It's my worst nightmare when driving with the puppy in the car (well, the worst would be where he was seriously hurt or worse, but any accident is bad enough).

This question has to be one for the vet. Socialisation is key, but only if it can be done safely and I really wouldn't risk giving the little guy an injury that might handicap him for life. If full on socialisation has to be put off until he is a few weeks older it makes life harder but it isn't the end of the world, but if he ends up with muscular or skeletel injuries from not having had enough rest, it could literally shorten his life.

Even if he needs bed rest, some socialisation can still go on in your home. Assuming that the vet is happy for him to be carried (and I would push him on this, as many are over cautious in my mind) then as you say, carry him for a few weeks and hopefully the rest can be made up for later. Get him walking as soon as he can, but not too early to risk injury. Maybe someone with a calm puppy from your local class could bring him around to your house for a calm session once the vet is happy for him to play a little?

One thing I would say though is to get him back in the car ASAP, even just for short drives to the end of the road and back. It would be a shame for him to be car phobic, so get lots of positive car experience in now while you can.

If you cant socialise him now then there is always puppy classes, the pups can range from 1r4 weeks gto 4 months old so you wont miss out if you book a puppy class :)
Their so much fun and essential anyway in my eyes :)

Hi ,Thanks for your replies. He came home today on strict bed rest. poor lad can walk once he's standing but cant go from lying to standing without help. And as I have severe wiplash I cant pick him up.(leo puppy-not so small).

I've rung round friends and have a rota of peole who will visit over the next week or so till he can be taken out, and they've arranged to get him back in their cars/vans asap-mines a write off (sigh).

what would we do without friends

Barbara

Oh poor Hudson :( and poor you!
Thank heavens you have such lovely friends willing to help out B.
{{{hugs}}} for you both