What Causes Puppies to be Born Dead?
Owners are concerned and saddened by the loss of new puppies and want to find out what causes puppies to be born dead.
Many owners need to find answers for peace of mind, but for all cases, this is necessary to be sure that the mother and any living puppies are safe and healthy and not at risk.
Knowing what causes puppies to be born dead is not an easy answer, as there are numerous causes:
Dystocia is a general term for a difficult birth. This includes mal-positioning of the fetus, including a breech presentation.
Another possibility is that the female has a pelvis that is too narrow. This is a frequent concern in dogs that are too young for breeding.
Large puppies may be another cause for dystocia. A larger male that has bred a smaller female may cause puppies that are too large for the mother to give birth naturally. Some breeds, including English and French bulldogs, typically require a cesarean section.
A dog that has been in labor with a puppy stuck in the birth canal for a long period of time also causes puppies to be born dead. This condition is very painful for the mother. A dead puppy in the birth canal will start to decay. The uterus will continue to contract, which may cause the uterus to rupture. This may be fatal to the mother or to the other puppies.
If your dog is expecting a litter, have a consultation with your veterinarian to discuss a normal birthing process and the signs that indicate that a puppy may be trapped in the birth canal.
Some of the signs to indicate a problem with labor is:
The mother should be healthy and receiving adequate nutrition to be sure that she has the vitamin and energy reserves needed for labor and nursing.
The dam should be fed high-quality food throughout her pregnancy until the puppies are weaned. She will roughly double her caloric requirements during pregnancy and triple them while nursing.
Take the dam to your veterinarian during the pregnancy, for a physical exam and follow any recommendations for care.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend deworming during her pregnancy to prevent the transmission of parasites to the puppies.
Watch out for these signs that indicate that the dam is malnourished:
Numerous medications can cause puppies to be born dead.
If your dog is in medication and you think she may be pregnant, be sure to talk with your veterinarian.
Some types of medications that may cause death in unborn puppies include:
Congenital defects are abnormal conditions that a puppy is born with; many of these conditions can cause death.
This can occur if the mother was exposed to a toxin while she was pregnant or may be caused by genetic diseases.
Infectious diseases are caused by several bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoal organisms.
Two common infections that cause puppies to be born dead are Brucella Canis and Canine Herpesvirus.
Brucella Canis is a bacteria that causes infertility, embryonic death, fetal death.
Canine Herpesvirus is a viral infection that usually infects the puppies at the time of birth through contact with the birth canal. The disease causes puppies to be weak, fail to thrive, and die. The virus may infect puppies in utero and can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, infertility, poorly developed puppies, and mummified puppies.
My Dog Only Had One Puppy and It Died
If your dog only had one puppy and it died, you should let the mother take her time, clean the spot and then visit the vet.
The same rules apply to the vet examination and burial/cremation when it’s only a single puppy born.
However, the single puppy syndrome is a very rare occasion indeed.
If you are not sure of the number of babies expected you should get the mother examined for other puppies stuck in her abdomen.
How To Help Mother Dog Mourning For Lost Puppies
After puppies die the mother dog may become depressed. This is especially true if the entire litter has passed away.
Dogs who have had their puppies removed surgically do not usually become depressed or understand that they had puppies who are now gone. However, a mother dog who has delivered them often will mourn for her lost puppies.
Usually, if one or more puppies are alive, she will focus her attention on the live puppies and will not appear to grieve.
If the mother dog after puppies die is mourning, she may not want to eat or drink, she may not move around much. She will appear quiet and sad.
As these are also signs of many illnesses, we recommend you take her to your veterinarian to confirm that she does not have a medical problem that may be mimicking the symptoms of depression.
Ask your veterinarian if the mother dog can go on walks or car rides. Think of the things that she typically enjoys and try and do them with her.
If the weather allows, take her outside to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. But be aware that a dog who has delivered puppies will have a vaginal discharge that may last a few weeks. This smell may attract other dogs. This can be overwhelming for your dog. It also may lead to fighting or a male attempting to breed your female, which can be medically damaging. You should avoid contact with other dogs for a few months after she gives birth.
Spend a lot of time with her, giving her cuddles, brushing her, petting her, playing with her, or just sitting with her. Your companionship is the most important thing you can provide to a depressed dog.
If your schedule prevents spending extra time at home, consider hiring a pet sitter to visit her during the times you are gone.