When To Intervene with Newborn Puppy’s
birthing. Caring for newborn puppies is sometimes very challenging.
Generally speaking the mother of the puppies performs this task well.
However there are those times when this just isn’t the case. The
different reasons for the mother dog not providing adequate care to the
newborn puppies can be many.
Sick or inferior puppies. All these can be reasons for the mother dog to not actively engage in the rearing process. So the question comes down to this “when is it time to intervene.” This question comes up often and is often answered with no real thought of what it means to intervene.
The process of stepping into the role of a surrogate mother dog is a very important role. The many hours it will take to properly care for the puppies are a factor that can consume most of one’s whole day. So “what do you do?” Here we will try to put some rules down that should help with knowing when it’s time to step up to the plate and become mommy dog dearest.
Access the Situation
A. Is the female showing any signs of illness? Look for the following symptoms Diarrhea, wrinkled skin (signifying dehydration), and mucus from eyes or nose. Labored breathing, warm nose, foaming mouth and slobber.
B. Cuts or abrasions (run your hand along pet’s fur and gently go against the grain of the fur looking for cuts and abrasions.
C. Examine the animal’s food to see if it is consuming food and water.
D. Examine the environment such as dog houses (check doghouse bedding and interior for pests and things like snakes and spiders) are careful!
E. Look at animals confine to see if any foreign things are present. (look for food items, dead animals, boards with sharp protrusions)
If any of these signs are present I recommend consulting a veterinarian.
However sometimes a veterinarian just isn’t affordable and the animal needs your help. If you have come to the conclusion that the mother dog is incapable of raising her puppies you must act. You must act quickly and with some skill. Puppies freshly birthed are subject to the elements. Cold and heat can kill. Also another dangerous element is other animals. Sometimes other animals will kill newborn puppy’s it is best to remove all other animals except the mother dog.
New born puppy’s should be quickly wiped and dried off to keep them from going into hypothermia and shock. Be careful when drying the puppy’s not to pull on the umbilical cord attached to the puppies. This will dry up after a few days and it will naturally go away. If placenta is attached take scissors and cut the umbilical cord six inches away from the puppy. Before cutting take a small length of cotton thread soaked in hydrogen peroxide and ties it around the umbilical cord one inch away from where it protrudes out of the animal’s belly button. Tie it firmly like a tourniquet before cutting the cord. This will minimize bleeding. Do not force open puppy’s eyes they are born blind with closed eyes for a reason. Be gentle and set new born puppy on a towel and keep them warm. Sometimes putting a mechanical watch that ticks into a large stuff animal that has been rubbed on the mother dog to allow the mothers scent to be on it will provide comfort to the newborn puppies.
Seek a commercially available nursing supplement from a pet store or veterinarian to provide nourishment for the puppies. Also purchase a newborn bottle for pet feeding from the pet store. Puppies must be feed every few hours and all of them must get their fair share of about 1/25 of an ounce every 2 hours. Check your commercial feeding recommendations to know the frequency and amounts recommended.
When offering the bottle sometimes wrapping a small cloth around the bottle and scenting it with the mother dogs sent will help the puppy take the feeding better.
Often a veterinarian may know of a female that has a litter and is capable of feeding your puppy’s also. This is the best scenario if it is possible. This scenario has a lot of ifs involved. The foster mother must be willing to do the job and also must be capable of producing the amount of milk needed. Also remember the mother dog may be very aggressive. So protect yourself from being bitten while handling her offspring. www.doomsday-learn-prepare-survive.com
Sick or inferior puppies. All these can be reasons for the mother dog to not actively engage in the rearing process. So the question comes down to this “when is it time to intervene.” This question comes up often and is often answered with no real thought of what it means to intervene.
The process of stepping into the role of a surrogate mother dog is a very important role. The many hours it will take to properly care for the puppies are a factor that can consume most of one’s whole day. So “what do you do?” Here we will try to put some rules down that should help with knowing when it’s time to step up to the plate and become mommy dog dearest.
Access the Situation
A. Is the female showing any signs of illness? Look for the following symptoms Diarrhea, wrinkled skin (signifying dehydration), and mucus from eyes or nose. Labored breathing, warm nose, foaming mouth and slobber.
B. Cuts or abrasions (run your hand along pet’s fur and gently go against the grain of the fur looking for cuts and abrasions.
C. Examine the animal’s food to see if it is consuming food and water.
D. Examine the environment such as dog houses (check doghouse bedding and interior for pests and things like snakes and spiders) are careful!
E. Look at animals confine to see if any foreign things are present. (look for food items, dead animals, boards with sharp protrusions)
If any of these signs are present I recommend consulting a veterinarian.
However sometimes a veterinarian just isn’t affordable and the animal needs your help. If you have come to the conclusion that the mother dog is incapable of raising her puppies you must act. You must act quickly and with some skill. Puppies freshly birthed are subject to the elements. Cold and heat can kill. Also another dangerous element is other animals. Sometimes other animals will kill newborn puppy’s it is best to remove all other animals except the mother dog.
New born puppy’s should be quickly wiped and dried off to keep them from going into hypothermia and shock. Be careful when drying the puppy’s not to pull on the umbilical cord attached to the puppies. This will dry up after a few days and it will naturally go away. If placenta is attached take scissors and cut the umbilical cord six inches away from the puppy. Before cutting take a small length of cotton thread soaked in hydrogen peroxide and ties it around the umbilical cord one inch away from where it protrudes out of the animal’s belly button. Tie it firmly like a tourniquet before cutting the cord. This will minimize bleeding. Do not force open puppy’s eyes they are born blind with closed eyes for a reason. Be gentle and set new born puppy on a towel and keep them warm. Sometimes putting a mechanical watch that ticks into a large stuff animal that has been rubbed on the mother dog to allow the mothers scent to be on it will provide comfort to the newborn puppies.
Seek a commercially available nursing supplement from a pet store or veterinarian to provide nourishment for the puppies. Also purchase a newborn bottle for pet feeding from the pet store. Puppies must be feed every few hours and all of them must get their fair share of about 1/25 of an ounce every 2 hours. Check your commercial feeding recommendations to know the frequency and amounts recommended.
When offering the bottle sometimes wrapping a small cloth around the bottle and scenting it with the mother dogs sent will help the puppy take the feeding better.
Often a veterinarian may know of a female that has a litter and is capable of feeding your puppy’s also. This is the best scenario if it is possible. This scenario has a lot of ifs involved. The foster mother must be willing to do the job and also must be capable of producing the amount of milk needed. Also remember the mother dog may be very aggressive. So protect yourself from being bitten while handling her offspring. www.doomsday-learn-prepare-survive.com
