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Caring for Newborn
Puppies
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 |
| Care
for the newborn puppies can be very demanding but Harvey Caruthers says
the principles are simple. |
Feeding
For the first day after birth the most important food for puppies is their mothers milk. This milk is called colostrum and it is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help to protect them. Orphaned puppies can be raised with a foster mother or using frozen colostrum. If a bitch is not available to foster the puppy then a dog milk substitute such as 'Welpi' can be used. Be prepared to feed them every two hours for the first week.
Grooming
Newborn puppies are stimulated to toilet only when the bitch grooms them around the anus and genitals. If the bitch does not keep the puppies clean you will have to. I call this "top and tailing". When I feed the puppies I also clean them with damp cotton wool. This should stimulate the puppies to toilet and should be continued untill they are urinating and defacating by themselves.
Temperature
A normal adult dog's temperature is 38.5C (101.5F). Puppies younger than four weeks old have a body temperature of 37C (98.6F). After one month they have the same temperature as adults. Newborn puppies can get cold. Heat pads or an infra-red heat lamp can be used to keep them warm. It is important to remember that puppies cannot pant to lose heat and so can easily get too hot, risking death from overheating.
Health Concerns
The mothers colostrum gives puppies a great healthy start. Among various health concerns is vaccination, which should start at seven to eight weeks old. Worms are also a threat. I have seen several litters of puppies killed by worm infestation. The dam appeared well, but had passed worms on to their offspring. I treat puppies for worms every two weeks untill they are 12 weeks old and then monthly untill they are six months old.
For the first day after birth the most important food for puppies is their mothers milk. This milk is called colostrum and it is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help to protect them. Orphaned puppies can be raised with a foster mother or using frozen colostrum. If a bitch is not available to foster the puppy then a dog milk substitute such as 'Welpi' can be used. Be prepared to feed them every two hours for the first week.
Grooming
Newborn puppies are stimulated to toilet only when the bitch grooms them around the anus and genitals. If the bitch does not keep the puppies clean you will have to. I call this "top and tailing". When I feed the puppies I also clean them with damp cotton wool. This should stimulate the puppies to toilet and should be continued untill they are urinating and defacating by themselves.
Temperature
A normal adult dog's temperature is 38.5C (101.5F). Puppies younger than four weeks old have a body temperature of 37C (98.6F). After one month they have the same temperature as adults. Newborn puppies can get cold. Heat pads or an infra-red heat lamp can be used to keep them warm. It is important to remember that puppies cannot pant to lose heat and so can easily get too hot, risking death from overheating.
Health Concerns
The mothers colostrum gives puppies a great healthy start. Among various health concerns is vaccination, which should start at seven to eight weeks old. Worms are also a threat. I have seen several litters of puppies killed by worm infestation. The dam appeared well, but had passed worms on to their offspring. I treat puppies for worms every two weeks untill they are 12 weeks old and then monthly untill they are six months old.
reprinted with
kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750