The neonatal period in puppies covers roughly the first three weeks of life, and it is when most pre-weaning deaths happen. Newborn puppies cannot control their body temperature, store little energy and have immature kidneys and immunity, so small problems such as chilling or a missed feed quickly become life-threatening. Good neonatal care means a well-managed birth, early colostrum, a warm environment, daily weighing and a fast, ordered response to a weak puppy.
Key facts
Neonatal care at a glance- Species and system: dogs (also cats); reproductive and neonatal medicine.
- Mortality: reported neonatal mortality is 9 to 26% over the first 21 days, highest in the first week; a 2019 review puts the loss at about 10% of live-born puppies by 21 days.
- Classic presentation: the weak, cold, crying puppy that will not nurse, with the neonatal triad of hypothermia, hypoglycemia and dehydration.
- Immunity: puppies are born almost without IgG and depend on colostrum absorbed in the first 12 to 16 hours.
- Infectious causes: bacterial sepsis and canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) are the classic causes of "fading" puppies.
- Zoonotic or reportable: CHV-1 is neither. Toxocara canis, passed to puppies across the placenta and in milk, is zoonotic.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 7 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 12 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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