Newborn puppies are very fragile and prone to health problems. However, if you know the things to pay attention to, you can certainly find changes in his health. There are many common symptoms that could indicate a serious health problem, such as frequent crying, weight loss, or decreased appetite. If your puppy is vomiting, has a fever, or has breathing problems, he may have an infectious disease. Finally, by identifying other problems such as abnormal births or genetic disorders, you can help address your dog's current and future health problems. If your puppy appears to have a health problem, be sure to contact the vet as soon as possible.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Watching for Common Health Problems in Newborn Puppies
Step 1. Notice if he cries and complains a lot
Healthy puppies usually cry less. In fact, they will spend a lot of time sleeping or eating. If your puppy seems to be crying or whining a lot, take him to the vet.
Intense crying is a common symptom of postpartum illness. If your puppy cries, he may feel hot, sick, sore, or not eating enough
Step 2. Watch for loss of appetite
Puppies will suckle all day long. If you notice a dog that is not breastfeeding regularly, this could be a symptom of a more serious health problem. The puppy may be sick, have a medical condition, or may not be able to breastfeed properly. Visit the vet if you notice a puppy has lost its appetite.
- This problem can also stem from the symptoms of hypothermia. Puppies less than six days old are unable to shiver and regulate body temperature well. Puppies who are hypothermic are unable to suckle or digest their food. You can solve this problem by installing a heating lamp over the dog kennel.
- The mother dog will release the first milk, called colostrum, after the puppy is born. This milk is thicker than regular milk and filled with antibodies that provide passive immunity. It's important to make sure all puppies get this milk in order to grow up healthy.
Step 3. Record lost weight
Depending on the breed, healthy newborn puppies usually weigh between 120 and 625 grams. During the first few weeks, a healthy puppy will gain 5 to 10 percent of its birth weight each day. Weigh the dog twice a day and take him to the doctor if the weight does not increase or even decrease. Failure to gain weight or loss of body weight can be a symptom of malnutrition, infection, or an inherited disorder.
- Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about gaining weight that is good for puppies.
- Loss of weight can also occur due to the mother's nipple being covered by another, larger puppy in the crate.
Step 4. Look for differences in sleep patterns
When not breastfeeding, newborn puppies will spend a lot of time sleeping. If you notice a puppy who doesn't sleep regularly or seems restless, take him to the vet. He may have an infection or malnutrition.
Be sure to check on puppies every few hours to make sure they are sleeping and eating normally
Step 5. Notice if the puppy sleeps separately from the group
Healthy puppies will sleep in groups with their siblings and mother. This will help him maintain his body temperature and make it easier for him to eat. However, if the sleeping position moves away from the group, it is possible that the mother is moving away from it for some reason. The puppy may have a congenital disease or the mother may not have enough milk and must sacrifice one of the puppies to save the other.
- If a puppy is separated from the pack, have a doctor examine him. He may have a congenital disease that reduces his quality of life. If so, your vet may recommend euthanasia as a last resort.
- If the mother can't feed all of her puppies, you may be able to feed the puppies.
Step 6. Pay attention to the behavior of the parent
Usually, a puppy's declining health stems from its mother's behavior. Maternal neglect is a common cause of health problems in newborn puppies. A mother may not want to lie down with her young to warm her. She may also refuse to breastfeed her child due to insufficient quantity of milk. Large breeds of dogs sometimes step on or squish their puppies by accident.
If you see that the mother is unable or unwilling to care for her young, you should separate the pups and take care of them yourself
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Infectious Diseases
Step 1. Watch for symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting
If your puppy has a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, he will experience diarrhea and vomiting. These are common symptoms of various types of infection, especially canine herpes virus, parvovirus, and intestinal parasites. See a doctor immediately if your puppy has symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting.
- The death rate of puppies from infection with the canine herpes virus and parvovirus is quite high.
- Parvovirus has a distinctive odor that is unpleasant when smelled by dog owners. Dogs with parvovirus often bleed when they have diarrhea. This virus is highly contagious. So, call your doctor immediately if you believe your puppy has parvovirus.
Step 2. Check the dog's temperature
If a newborn puppy is infected, he will develop a fever. A healthy temperature for a dog is in the range of 37.5 °C to 39.2 °C. Meanwhile, the temperature during the fever is more than 39.7 °C. You can take a puppy's temperature through his rectum with an ear thermometer; however, this method is less reliable.
Step 3. Observe any breathing problems that arise
One of the most common symptoms of infection is sneezing, coughing, or fluid in the eyes. This is a symptom of an infectious disease that causes respiratory tract complications. If your puppy shows any of these symptoms, take him to the vet immediately.
Breathing problems can come from symptoms of distemper or coughing cages
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Other Problems
Step 1. Watch for birth defects
Some puppies are born with congenital defects, either in the bones, heart, mouth, and anus. These include problems with the roof of the mouth, deformed spine, or imperfect organs. Some congenital defects will make it difficult for a puppy to suckle or be healthy in general. Sometimes, there are puppies who are born with the anus closed so that they cannot defecate. Examine each puppy's anus to determine its condition. If there is a problem, immediately take him to the vet for organ repair surgery as soon as possible. Congenital defects from birth can also cause the mother to reject or even kill her child.
- Consult a veterinarian to determine the best course of action for puppies with congenital defects.
- If your puppy has an abnormal heart, he will have trouble gaining weight, have trouble breathing, and appear lethargic all the time. Some disorders can be treated if treated as early as possible.
Step 2. Watch for genetic abnormalities in the puppy
Newborn dogs sometimes have genetic disorders. This can cover various aspects, from cognitive problems to metabolic complications that can reduce their quality of life. A puppy with a genetic disorder will find it difficult to breastfeed and gain weight. However, this problem may also prevent behavioral problems, such as aggression or sleeping away from the group from appearing. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for puppies with genetic disorders.
- For example, puppies sometimes develop juvenile hypoglycemia, a genetic disorder that is more common in small breeds. This disorder will make it difficult for the puppy to gain weight and maintain a healthy weight.
- Newborn puppies will usually open their eyes after 7 to 10 days after birth, but their ears only open about 2 weeks after birth, while their teeth will begin to grow in the third week.
Step 3. Check for environmental complications
Newborn dogs are very susceptible to a variety of environmental factors, such as pollution or changes in temperature. Because they cannot regulate their own body temperature, they are very susceptible to hypothermia and hyperthermia. Chemicals and toxins in the bed or in the environment can also hurt a puppy, poison him, and damage his health. If your puppy has difficulty feeding, has difficulty gaining weight, and cries a lot, he may be experiencing complications due to environmental factors.
- A newborn puppy's skin is very thin and can absorb chemicals around it. This can cause the skin to peel and the hair to fall out. Be sure to wash the bedding with a mild, odorless cleaning agent.
- Make sure you store the dog kennel in a place where the temperature can be adjusted to prevent extreme changes in air temperature.
