Why Are My Newborn Puppies Dying?

A newborn puppy is an extremely fragile creature, and the first few weeks of a puppy's life can be quite precarious. Only about 60 to 70 percent of puppies survive past the first 12 weeks. Causes of puppy death can vary, but most cases of puppy "fading" can be linked to problems with their development in the womb, problems with the birth process, or problems with weaning.

  1. Possible Problems

    • Birth defects are one of the most common causes of puppy death. Pregnant dogs that are malnourished will often give birth to puppies that have congenital problems, including underdeveloped organs. Large litters of puppies may also include some malnourished pups due to competition in the uterus between fetuses. Traumatic birthing can result in puppies who are weak, or it can weaken the mother's ability to look after them. Finally, puppies are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases during the nursing and weaning period. The herpes virus is a common cause of death among puppies under 12 weeks of age.

    Diagnosis

    • When puppies deteriorate and die within the first twelve weeks of their life, the official veterinary diagnosis is usually "fading." Fading puppies stop nursing and then become very weak and thin before finally dying. If a sufficient number of puppies from the same litter die in a similar manner, a post mortem exam to determine the exact cause of death can help prevent further losses.

    Treatment and Care

    • The best thing to do for a litter of fading puppies is detect the problem early. Ensuring that the mother is fed a proper diet prior to giving birth is a good preventative measure, as is keeping an eye out for potentially malnourished babies, or "runts." Puppies with birth defects or severe trauma are probably beyond saving, but infections can be treated with the help of a veterinarian, who will probably recommend hospitalization or, at minimum, medication.

    Nature and nurture

    • It is inevitable and almost unavoidable that some puppies from a large litter will struggle with their health and will die. It is important to watch newborn puppies closely for any problems so that you an act early. Keeping the mother calm and healthy is often the best way to look after the puppies. If you need to, it is sometimes advisable to remove neglected puppies from their mother's care, and feed or care for them yourself.