Have you ever gone through the hard process of breeding and caring for your pregnant dog, only to lose almost all the puppies in your litter in one week? How did this experience make you feel? Of course, you must have felt very terrible and incompetent.
We are sorry you had to go through the sad experience of seeing your puppies die. The death of puppies can be distressing for breeders and pet owners alike.
While the specific causes of puppy death can vary depending on various factors, some common causes include infection, congenital disabilities, hypothermia, congenital disability, and toxicity.
These problems are among the most common causes of sickness in puppies and are responsible for the loss of countless lives of puppies in the world. What causes each of these problems, and how do you detect them? And how can it be controlled? This will be covered in this post. With this information, you will never lose a puppy again!
Table of Contents
5 Common Causes of Puppy Death
Infections In Puppies
Infection is in a category of its own because it is one of the most popular causes of puppy death worldwide. Most puppies will die from rabies, distemper, and parvovirus entirety. And yet these are not all your puppies are susceptible to. Below we cover other types of infections.
- Viral infections: Puppies, especially those not yet vaccinated, are vulnerable to viral diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and canine herpesvirus. These infections can be severe and often fatal, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and respiratory distress.
- Bacterial infections: Puppies can contract bacterial infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. These infections can occur due to exposure to contaminated environments or maternal transmission.
- Parasitic infections: Internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and coccidia can infect puppies and lead to diarrhea, weakness, anemia, and, in severe cases, death.
Now this might seem like a lot, but it is just one of the common causes of puppy death. This is why breeders need to get proper training to help make sure they provide the best help to their puppy litter.
1. Congenital Disabilities In Puppies
Congenital disabilities, or congenital disabilities, are structural or functional abnormalities present in puppies from birth. These defects can result from genetic or developmental factors during fetal Development. They may affect various organs and systems, from heart and orthopedic issues to cleft palate, neural tube defects, and skin disorders.
The impact of congenital disabilities on puppies varies, with some showing immediate symptoms, while others may develop problems later in life. These conditions can lead to pain, mobility issues, and a reduced lifespan in severe cases. Responsible breeding practices and early detection are crucial in managing congenital disabilities and improving affected puppies’ quality of life.
Diagnosing congenital disabilities often occurs through physical examination and diagnostic tests shortly after birth. Ethical breeders may conduct genetic testing on parent dogs to identify potential risks of passing on certain genetic disorders.
Management depends on the specific condition’s severity, with some puppies requiring surgery or ongoing medical care. Responsible breeders prioritize health screening of parent dogs to reduce the incidence of congenital disabilities, and they may avoid breeding affected dogs to prevent passing on the condition to future litters. Early detection and proper management enhance the chances of affected puppies leading fulfilling lives despite their congenital challenges.
2. Hypothermia In Puppies
Hypothermia is when a puppy’s body temperature drops below normal levels, leading to serious health consequences and, in severe cases, death. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they have underdeveloped thermoregulation abilities and limited fat reserves for insulation. When exposed to cold environments or conditions, their bodies lose heat more rapidly than they can generate, leading to a drop in body temperature. This can have several adverse effects on their health.
- Weakness and Lethargy: Puppies suffering from hypothermia become weak and lethargic as their bodies divert energy from normal functions to preserve heat. They may be less responsive, lose interest in nursing or play, and become increasingly inactive.
- Shivering: Initially, puppies try to generate warmth through shivering, an involuntary muscle response to generate heat. However, shivering alone may not keep their body temperature safe.
- Cyanosis: As hypothermia progresses, the puppy’s extremities, such as the paws and ear tips, may become pale or bluish due to reduced blood flow to these areas.
- Decreased Heart Rate and Breathing: In an attempt to conserve energy, the puppy’s heart rate and breathing may slow down, further compromising their overall health.
- Disorientation and Unresponsiveness: As hypothermia worsens, the puppy may become disoriented, unresponsive, and even lose consciousness. Severe hypothermia can lead to coma and, ultimately, death.
3. Hypoglycemia In Puppies
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, a critical concern for puppies. Their small size and high energy needs make them susceptible to this condition. Puppies have limited energy reserves; their blood sugar can drop rapidly if they don’t eat enough or experience stress/illness.
Symptoms include weakness, trembling, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Their brains rely heavily on glucose so low levels can lead to severe consequences, even death. Toy breeds are especially vulnerable. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if hypoglycemia is suspected.
Providing a source of glucose (honey or sugar water) and ensuring regular meals can help. Keeping puppies warm and stress-free also reduces the risk. Always consult a vet for proper puppy care.
4. Birth complications
Difficult or prolonged labor can occur for various reasons, such as oversized puppies, malpositioning, or maternal issues. Puppies may experience birth asphyxia if the delivery process is prolonged, which can lead to brain damage or death.
These birth complications are often a result of the female’s immune system or stress. It could also result from poor management on the part of the breeder. We also discovered another thing that could cause birth complications in female dogs. This is the way she is being bred.
Female dogs forcefully bred when the female dog isn’t welcoming could lead to emotional and physical stress for both parties involved. In the long run, this could also lead to birth complications and death.
5. Inadequate maternal care
When a female dog neglects her puppies, it can severely affect their health and potentially lead to their death. Maternal neglect can affect the puppies:
1. Lack of nourishment: A mother’s milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help build the puppies’ immune systems and support their growth. When neglected, the puppies may not receive enough milk, leading to malnourishment and weakened immunity.
2. Hypothermia: Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature effectively. A mother’s presence helps keep them warm through snuggling and licking. The puppies can suffer from hypothermia without her care, which is especially dangerous for their fragile bodies.
3. Hygiene issues: A mother dog licks her puppies to stimulate urination and defecation, keeping the nest clean. Neglected puppies may be left in soiled bedding, leading to hygiene-related problems and an increased risk of infections.
4. Emotional and Social Development: Maternal care is crucial to a puppy’s emotional and Social Development. Without proper maternal interaction, puppies may struggle with social skills and behavior later in life.
5. Increased stress: Puppies that experience neglect may become stressed and anxious, weakening their immune systems and making them susceptible to illnesses.
In severe cases of maternal neglect, the combination of malnourishment, lack of warmth, poor hygiene, and stress can lead to the death of the puppies. Without the essential care provided by the mother, the chances of survival for newborn puppies significantly decrease.
If a mother dog neglects her puppies, it’s essential to intervene promptly. Seek veterinary assistance to assess the situation and, if necessary, provide supplementary care or consider hand-rearing the puppies to ensure their well-being and increase their chances of survival.
Breed Puppies Like a Pro with 99% Success Using These Five Suggestions.
Yes, breeding puppies is risky, and nothing is set in stone. However, following the suggestions below, you can drastically increase your success rates to about 99%.
1. Educate Yourself
Embrace the learning process with eagerness. Study the breed’s history, standards, and characteristics. Attend seminars, workshops, and dog shows to gain knowledge from experienced breeders and judges. A well-rounded understanding of genetics, reproduction, and puppy care is vital. Your commitment to learning will pave the way for responsible and ethical breeding practices.
2. Select Quality Breeding Stock
Celebrate the unique qualities of each dog in your breeding program. Choose healthy, temperamentally sound, well-structured dogs that exemplify the breed standard. Health testing and genetic screening are essential to ensure the best possible start for future generations. By valuing the strengths of your dogs, you set the foundation for producing exceptional offspring.
3. Health and Care
Infuse love and compassion into your breeding program. Provide a nurturing environment with top-notch veterinary care, balanced nutrition, and regular dog exercise. A happy and healthy breeding stock will yield robust puppies and spread joy throughout their lives. Treat your dogs as cherished family. Members and they will reward you with loyalty and trust.
4. Responsible Breeding Practices
Approach breeding with a responsible heart. Plan each mating thoughtfully, considering the overall improvement of the breed and avoiding harmful genetic combinations. Keep accurate records of pedigrees, health certifications, and breeding outcomes. Aim to produce healthy puppies, sound and conform to breed standards. Responsible breeding contributes to the betterment of the breed as a whole.
5. Puppy Socialization and Placement
Delight in developing your adorable puppies. Socialize them early on to various experiences, sounds, and people. This will help them grow into confident and well-adjusted adult dogs. Be actively involved in finding suitable, loving homes for each puppy. Build relationships with potential owners to ensure a lifelong commitment and happy forever homes for your puppies.
Conclusion
We advise you to stop thinking of breeding as ones and zeros but that you take it as a matter of life and death, of which death is not an option. Be prepared to give your female dog the best care throughout the breeding process, and be ready to do whatever it takes to succeed, no matter the cost.
That is the only way to succeed 99% of the time. Finally, ensure you have your vet a phone call away, and do not hesitate to call him if anything ever goes wrong. Most times, successful breeding starts days before the mating even happens. Click this link to find out what you need to know about breeding your first litter successfully. If you have any questions or comments about this post, feel free to reach out to us and the community on our forum page. We will be happy to answer your questions.
