Caring for premature puppies is a challenging task that few can manage correctly. Consequently, the survival rate for these puppies is often very low. If you have premature puppies at home, don't worry. Refer to the article below to find timely ways to save them!
1. What is the Phenomenon of Premature Birth in Dogs?
Premature birth in dogs occurs when a pregnant dog, over a month into her pregnancy but not yet due to give birth, expels the fetus due to some reason. A mother dog is considered to have given birth prematurely if she delivers her puppies before the 58th day of pregnancy.
Premature birth can happen in any dog breed. Some causes of premature birth in dogs include:
- Bacterial or viral infections in the mother dog.
- Genetic factors.
- Hormonal imbalance, trauma, or malnutrition in the mother dog.
- Stress in the mother dog.
- Certain diseases: Herpes, Parvo, uterine disease, ovarian cysts.
- Low thyroid levels in older female dogs.
2. Signs of Premature Birth in Dogs
To properly care for premature puppies, first, you need to identify the signs of premature birth in dogs:
- Pregnant dog discharges fluid or tissue with blood.
- The mother dog barks a lot.
- The mother dog shows a lack of appetite or refuses to eat.
- Vomiting.
- The body temperature of the mother dog drops.
- The dog clings to its owner, whining for attention.
- Intense straining and uterine contractions.
- The mother dog frequently licks her hindquarters.
3. How to Care for Premature Puppies
Caring for premature puppies is not easy. This task is more difficult than caring for full-term puppies because both the mother and the premature puppies often have health issues. Here are detailed instructions:
3.1. Caring for the Mother Dog
For a mother dog that has given birth prematurely, after assisting with the delivery, contact a veterinarian immediately for prompt treatment. The mother dog may need medical treatment or surgery to remove stillborn fetuses and ensure proper care.
3.2. Caring for Premature Puppies
Premature puppies are very weak and require special care compared to full-term puppies. Usually, premature puppies have difficulty breathing and may need oxygen or an incubator to become stronger. Additionally, pay attention to their diet and surrounding temperature:
3.2.1. Feeding
Premature puppies cannot nurse on their own and need assistance. You should use external devices to help them feed, such as feeding tubes, syringes, or eye droppers.
In the early days, the mother dog might not have milk or have very little milk. Therefore, you should prepare special milk for puppies. They need to be fed regularly every 2-3 hours, averaging 5-6 times a day, with each feeding about 15-25ml. After 2-3 weeks, the feeding frequency will decrease to 4 times a day.
After feeding, place the puppies on their back in your hand or face-down on your shoulder and gently massage them to burp. After a week, you'll notice an improvement in the health of the premature puppies!
3.2.2. Keeping Warm
In addition to feeding and ensuring water intake, keeping premature puppies warm is crucial for their survival. Inside the mother's womb, their body temperature is around 55.6°C. A sudden drop in temperature immediately after birth significantly affects them.
Therefore, place the puppies in a secluded, draft-free, and quiet place. Keep them warm with a heat lamp or an incandescent bulb. In the first 4-5 days, maintain the nest temperature around 29-32°C. Gradually reduce the temperature to about 26-27°C by day 7-10. By the end of the fourth week, they can tolerate temperatures of 21-24°C.
4. Conclusion
I have outlined how to carefully and scientifically care for premature puppies, which not everyone knows. I hope this article helps you take excellent care of the mother dog and her litter!