The first few weeks of a puppy's life can be a very dangerous phase; as soon as she is born she has to find a way to suck her mother's milk, she needs to stay warm, the mother has to take care of her bodily functions, not to mention that she is at the mercy of diseases, ailments and injuries. The life of a newborn can be difficult, but in most cases the mother is able to do a great job and meet the needs of the offspring. However, your intervention is sometimes needed to help a weak puppy who can't get the care they need.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identify a Little Dog Who Needs Help
Step 1. Make sure the mother is taking care of all of her puppies
If he is pushing a particular dog away, rather than keeping him close to him, you should start worrying. a puppy that does not stay with its siblings and its mother cannot eat and receive the warmth it needs to grow well.
Step 2. Pay attention to the signs of difficulty
A newborn dog can weaken within a few hours; There are certain signs that make you understand if your little one has problems too:
- Is cold to the touch or has a cold mouth
- He has a weak sucking reflex when you gently put a fingertip in his mouth;
- It has a weak or limp muscle tone: the head yields downwards and does not retract the legs when they are slightly jerked;
- He is unable to breastfeed milk;
- You have stool residue on your butt - this can be a sign of diarrhea (a serious problem);
- Has umbilical cord secretions;
- Keep crying.
Step 3. Check the puppies regularly
You need to track their weight on a specific scale twice a day. The kitchen one is fine too, as long as you clean it well after using it for puppies; you can choose the weight unit you prefer, the important thing is to be constant in the measurement method. Keep in mind that they should never lose weight, but continue to gain weight each day by about 10% of their birth weight; in this way, you understand that they are getting enough breast milk.
Write down the weight you find in a diary or spreadsheet so you can track progress in their first two weeks of life
Part 2 of 2: Caring for a Weak or Neglected Puppy
Step 1. Keep it warm
If you've found a litter in your litter that needs special care, the first thing to do is make sure it's getting enough heat. If he is cold, he is unable to suckle milk and can become dangerously dehydrated and consequently suffer from hypoglycemia, which is a blood sugar level low enough to risk death.
- To warm it up, place a hot water bottle filled with very hot - but not hot - liquid on the bottom of a cardboard box and cover it with a towel; place the baby on top of the towel, cover it with a light sheet or cloth and partially close the box.
- Alternatively, you can hold the dog under your clothes until it warms up; Consider placing a clean cloth under your butt to avoid getting dirty if you urinate or defecate. Also pay attention to its small claws as they are sharp, so be prepared for the possibility that it can scratch you a little.
- Avoid using an electric warmer, it is dangerous because it can overheat the creature; Instead, you need to make sure that it gradually warms up over a period of one to three hours. If the body temperature rises too quickly, the animal can suffer from dangerous overheating. On the market you can find specific warmers for animals and generally do not release excessive heat; However, you do not have to place the puppy directly on the heating mat, but place a towel or soft cloth in between to prevent it from getting burned.
- If you see him panting and holding his mouth open, he is too hot.
Step 2. Take his temperature
When you feel he has warmed up, you can use a digital thermometer for pediatric use and take his rectal temperature. Apply some lube to the tip of the tool and gently insert it into the puppy's anus.
- If the rectal temperature is below 34 ° C, the gastrointestinal tract does not work properly; however, check that it does not exceed 37 ° C in puppies less than a week old, as it may indicate overheating.
- Record the temperature in the same journal or spreadsheet you use to track your weight.
Step 3. Help the puppy drink the milk
Once he's warm and active, it's time to feed him. See if the mother lets him suck on the nipple. The first milk of newborn dogs must be that of the mother, as it contains important immune factors (antibodies) necessary to build the immune system.
You should leave the weak puppy alone with his mom for some time; the other puppies must remain in the same room, but further away from the mother's body while the weak dog tries to drink the milk
Step 4. Increase your baby's blood sugar
If he is warm enough, but still weak and unable to suckle milk, he probably has a low blood sugar level. drop two or three drops of corn syrup on his tongue to adjust that value. Specific signs of hypoglycemia in newborn dogs are:
- Weakness and lethargy;
- Tremors and shudders (even healthy puppies tend to have tremors, so evaluate this symptom in association with other signs of hypoglycemia to distinguish it from normal behavior);
- Convulsions;
- Not responding or is in a coma.
Step 5. Supplement your milk supply
If the puppy is warm enough and wants to suckle, it may be necessary to provide him with a specific formula if he is unable to latch on to the nipple or the mother refuses it. Purchase infant formula for puppies at the best pet stores; you can feed him with a bottle or even with a syringe.
Dilute the formula according to the directions and be careful not to heat it excessively, a bit like when preparing milk for babies
Step 6. Feed him regularly
A weak newborn puppy needs to be fed every three to four hours, even at night. Divide the total daily amount of milk to be given (found on the infant formula package) by the total number of feedings.
- For example, if you breastfeed every three hours, you need to calculate eight feedings, while if he eats every four hours, you need to count six.
- Make sure the formula is always freshly made and warm with each feed.
Step 7. Stimulate the urge to defecate
In order for the puppy to urinate and defecate, the puppy must be stimulated on the genital area. Usually, the mother takes care of it, but if the puppy has been rejected, you have to take care of it.
- Take a clean cotton ball moistened with warm water and gently scrub the genital area; at this point he should be able to urinate and / or defecate properly.
- Then rub the area with a clean handkerchief to remove any residue of dirt and throw it together with the cotton ball in the garbage can; when finished, wash your hands well.
Step 8. Take him to the vet
If he does not react to your attempts to warm him or does not eat, you need to refer him to your doctor. Dehydration is dangerous in puppies and they may die quickly if they are unable to drink enough milk.
Get him checked out even if he has diarrhea, runny nose, or if you notice other troubling symptoms. It is extremely important to find timely treatments for the little dogs; if you wait too long, your little friend may die
Advice
- Monitor newborn dogs very carefully, but do it discreetly so as not to agitate the mother; you should observe them individually at least three times a day.
- Make sure that the mother is as healthy as possible during her pregnancy by feeding her properly, giving her regular vaccines and deworming treatments.
- The mother should give birth in a warm (but not hot), clean and draft-free environment to ensure the best way for the puppies to be born.
