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 in 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. Premature or sudden death in puppies is generally known as fading puppy syndrome. Death is usually preceded by few or very brief signs of illness. This is most common in the first week of life, but can occur up to 3 weeks of life.
A number of different conditions can cause fading puppy syndrome. Sometimes solitary puppy deaths are related to a birth defect that wasn't immediately evident. Sometimes the mother does not care for the weaker or smaller members of the litter. Young puppies have an underdeveloped immune system.
They acquire antibodies from the milk produced by the mother dog directly after birth, called colostrum. Puppies that don't breastfeed properly won't receive these antibodies and are much more likely to get a serious infection. Sometimes, a breast infection (mastitis) or calcium deficiency in the mother can limit her milk supply. Canine herpesvirus is another common cause of fading puppy syndrome.
This virus can be transmitted from the mother in utero or from infected fluids after birth. It is usually not symptomatic in adults, but causes death in puppies up to about 3 weeks of age. If the mother has the virus, puppies may be born weak to begin with, or even be born dead. Fading puppy syndrome is a condition that causes puppies to die suddenly and unexpectedly.
Puppies that die from this syndrome are healthy and normal at birth, but they wither and die within one to three weeks. Because puppies are healthy when they die from fading puppy syndrome, there is no exact cause of death. However, several factors can contribute to this syndrome. Unfortunately, it's common for one or more puppies to be stillborn or die soon after birth.
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. You can accidentally harm other puppies if you turn away from them or lie while trying to find your missing puppy. Many common bacteria can cause overwhelming sepsis and death in a vulnerable puppy in a very short time.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend deworming during pregnancy to prevent the transmission of parasites to puppies. Canine herpesvirus is a viral infection that usually infects puppies at birth through contact with the birth canal. In addition, puppies are vulnerable to puppy syndrome that fades if the mother does not care for them and breastfeeds them or if the milk is of poor quality. Responsible breeding is important, so make sure to stop raising a dog if it produces several puppies that develop fading puppy syndrome.
Although this behavior is rare, if it is going to happen, the mother may show signs of agitation and begin to groom and lick the dead puppy too much. Fading puppy syndrome is a term used to describe puppies that are apparently normal at birth, but die 5 to 10 days later. Puppies can be too cold if the mother doesn't provide them with enough warmth, so it's important to prevent puppies from getting cold. Usually, if one or more puppies are alive, she will focus her attention on the live puppies and will not appear to be grieving.
Dogs that have had their puppies surgically removed do not tend to get depressed or understand that they had puppies that are no longer there. . .
