In addition to struggling to breastfeed, dwarves often also have health problems that can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Is a dwarf puppy bad? Are the odds so stacked against him that you're destined for distress? These are good questions, so let's find the answers. Dwarves don't always have physical health problems, but their size means they need to have guts to survive. It takes a sturdy, strong-willed little puppy to make its way to the food line and get its fair share.
Good breeders can help by providing a little intervention to ensure the dwarf gets a good spot on the milk bar. Are dwarves more likely to suffer from diseases? Unfortunately, the greatest medical risk for dwarf puppies is death. Puppies with a small birth weight have a very high mortality rate. These puppies, too, are more susceptible to fading puppy syndrome, which occurs in the first two weeks after birth.
Yes, it is common to have dwarf puppies in each litter. Dwarf puppies are usually smaller than their litter mates and may struggle to keep up with the rest of the pack. They may also be more susceptible to illness and require additional care. If you have a dwarf puppy, make sure you give him enough food, water, and love.
Your midget puppy can turn into a strong, healthy dog with a little extra care. I just had my kitten 15 days ago and all babies weigh more than 4 pounds today and the “dwarf” in this litter is just 2 pounds (1.12 exactly). The most important resource to give a dwarf puppy the best care and quality of life is a good veterinarian. In other words, all puppies in a Chihuahua litter are likely to be small, but there will be some variation in size between a Labrador Retriever litter.
During the time that young animals, such as puppies or kittens, are nursing and being raised by their mother, they are at high risk of getting sick or dying, period, regardless of their size. But the smallest of the litter is at a disadvantage and will need the breeder's help to survive. Although it's heartbreaking to think about it, keep in mind that it's normal for some puppies in each litter not to survive. I would like to offer a warning about breeders of so-called teacup puppies or micro puppies trying to sell dwarfs for a premium, making them seem valuable and in demand.
For example, Wilbur, the protagonist pig of Charlotte's Web, was a litter dwarf destined for slaughter. When being adopted into a new home, all owners of new puppies are advised to have their puppy undergo a health check by a veterinarian, but this is even more imperative when taking a dwarf puppy home. Breeders should keep a daily weight of all puppies in a litter to track growth, paying special attention to the dwarf. If a dwarf puppy is too small to hold on to its mother, your veterinarian may recommend that you express its milk by hand into a sterilized cup and feed the puppy with a sterilized bottle or syringe.
Newborn puppies are completely dependent on their mother for at least the first three weeks of life. In puppy terms, the term is often used to describe the smallest puppy in the litter that may be at risk for health problems due to its size. Not all dwarf puppies will make it, but those who do will have a special story for the rest of their lives.
