Issue number 26.1 Other Scientific
A quick guide to… Intensive care of newborn puppies
Published 25/03/2021
Also available in Français , Deutsch , Italiano and Español
Puppies are less well developed at birth than many other species, and high mortality rates are not uncommon in the first two weeks of life. A newborn puppy is at risk of hypoxia, and can develop hypothermia (due to its poor thermoregulatory function) and infection (due to an immature immune system).
Puppies are less well developed at birth than many other species, and high mortality rates are not uncommon in the first two weeks of life. A newborn puppy is at risk of hypoxia, and can develop hypothermia (due to its poor thermoregulatory function) and infection (due to an immature immune system). Other problems, such as dehydration and hypoglycemia, can also cause morbidity and mortality. Intensive care of the newborn must therefore be aimed at preventing the main trigger factors (Figure 1) and this short paper offers the clinician advice on how to maximize puppy survival.
Figure 1. Main points of vulnerability in newborn puppies.
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