Your female Yorkshire terrier has just delivered a litter of helpless, tiny puppies and you may be asking yourself, "Now what?" If you've never raised Yorkie puppies of if you are feeling unprepared, there are a few tips that can help you turn those tiny newborns into healthy, active pups.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh bedding, food and water
- Dog nail clippers
- Worming medication
- Styptic powder
Instructions
Allow mom to do her job. According to the Yorkie Info Center website, the mom is the puppies' sole caretaker for their first 3 to 4 weeks of life. Provide mom with fresh bedding, food and water, along with nutritional supplements, if recommended by the veterinarian.
Clip the yorkie puppies' nails if they are long. The puppies can scratch the mom's skin when trying to reach the nipple, causing irritation and possible infection. Since Yorkie nails are black, it is impossible to see the vein of the nail; therefore, use dog nail clippers to cut only the very tip off. Cutting the nail too short can cause pain and bleeding.
Look for signs of undernourishment and hypoglycemia in the Yorkie puppies. If a puppy is much thinner than its litter mates, it may not be getting enough nipple time. Remove the other puppies to a separate area while the underfed puppy attempts to eat---doing so will help provide adequate nursing time. Puppies with hypoglycemia often stumble, are weak and may faint. If you suspect your puppy is suffering from low blood glucose, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Administer worming medication to your Yorkie puppy at about 3 weeks of age, if approved by the veterinarian. Most puppies are born with intestinal parasites, which are passed on from the mother. Unless treated, the worms can cause a variety of issues including diarrhea and weight loss. The veterinarian may prescribe worming medication for you to give, based on the puppies' weights. Wormers are usually available over-the-counter at pet stores, as well.
Touch your Yorkie puppies' feet, ears, face and mouth often. As a breed, Yorkies generally require routine grooming, which involves touching these typically sensitive areas. Touching your pup this way now will help it become familiar with being handled, preventing anxiety and protesting when being groomed as an adult.