Death usually occurs within the first five days of life, but can occur up to ten weeks of age. Responsible for approximately 50% of newborn puppy deaths. About 30% of pedigree puppies die in their first few weeks of life, and only about half of them die from identifiable causes. Fading puppy syndrome is a term used to describe puppies that are apparently normal at birth, but who gradually fade and die within the first two weeks of life.
Normal pre-weaning losses in dogs, including stillborn puppies, can be up to thirty percent (30%), and approximately half of these deaths occur within the first week of life. Medium-sized dog breeds range from smaller companion breeds, such as French Bulldogs, to larger, more active working breeds, such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. The average life expectancy of medium-sized dog breeds is 10 to 13 years, and some breeds live even longer. As with small dogs, the exact age ranges for medium-sized dog breeds are difficult to determine, but there are general living guidelines for each breed.
Fading puppy syndrome affects puppies under 12 weeks of age. These puppies, known as “faders”, basically do not thrive and are unable to survive. According to Petplace, about 20 to 40% of all puppies do not survive after 12 weeks of age. Newborn puppies are born with an immature immune system that needs to develop over time, starting with breast milk.
Because of their immature organs and body systems, puppies are prone to various aggressions, including infections and environmental, nutritional and metabolic factors. In addition, young animals do not yet have strong body temperature regulation, and their body temperature can fluctuate profoundly in response to changes in ambient temperature and humidity. Glucose control can also be poor and blood glucose levels can fall below normal ranges in cases of nutritional disorders, leading to a state of hypoglycemia. Neonatal mortality, or fainting syndrome, involves the death of puppies from birth to two weeks of age.
This syndrome is more common in pedigree puppies. They can move away from the litter and rest in the corners, while healthy puppies will sleep and crawl against each other. A recent analysis of veterinary records revealed that dogs under 20 pounds had an average life expectancy of 11 years, while those weighing more than 90 pounds generally lived only 8 years. For the first four days of life, the ambient temperature where puppies are kept should be maintained at 85-90°F (29.5-32°C).
Patients with low glucose levels will need additional care and should be fed at the prescribed time of day and with a frequency specific to the breed, age and size requirements of your puppy. Keeping your dog on a leash when out of your garden can help prevent some trauma-related injuries, and it's always a good idea to supervise small puppies close to other animals and children. While variability between breeders and statistical evidence makes it difficult to determine an exact age range for any dog breed, here are the average lifespan of the longest-lived small dog breeds and the shortest lived breeds. Puppies and small dogs have a higher incidence of trauma-related deaths than adults or larger breeds, and working dogs also have a higher incidence of trauma-related deaths.
You'll need to provide a complete history of your puppy's health, including history of symptoms and any background information you have about your puppy's paternity. Also monitor your puppy's weight every day and make sure the mother is properly breastfeeding the puppies. Fading puppy syndrome is a term used to describe puppies that are apparently normal at birth but die 5 to 10 days after birth. During the first two weeks of life, puppies are very vulnerable to disease and environmental stress, since they cannot regulate their temperature bodily independently.
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