What are the clinical signs of fading puppy syndrome?
The clinical signs are vague. It is often too late to save a puppy once clinical signs are apparent. The common findings are a low birth weight or failure to gain weight at the same rate as their siblings (the runt of the litter), decreased activity and inability to suckle. These puppies have a tendency to remain separate from the mother and the rest of the litter. They are often reported to cry weakly in a high-pitched tone. Sometimes this is refered to this as seagulling due to its similarity to the cry of seagulls. These puppies often quickly progress to severe lethargy, loss of muscle tone, and death.
There are many factors that contribute to fading puppy syndrome. Some of the more common factors include:
One or more of these factors can contribute to fading puppy syndrome. For example, a lack of mothering instinct coupled with poor hygiene can often result in neonatal septicemia (systemic infection) in a very short time. Although some maternal immunity is conferred to the puppy while it is developing in the mothers uterus, the majority of this immunity is acquired via the colostrum or first milk. If the puppy does not drink an adequate amount of this first milk, it is more vulnerable to infection. It is important that the mother be examined immediately after giving birth for abnormal teat (breast) discharge, mastitis (breast infection), metritis (uterine infection) or other illness.
Many common bacteria can cause overwhelming septicemia and death in a vulnerable puppy in a very short amount of time. Because of the weakness and poor immune response, death often occurs quickly and with few, if any, clinical signs. Viral infections can cause fading puppy syndrome. If the mother is carrying a virus or is not properly vaccinated, the puppies are more likely to contract an infection from the mother or have an even weaker immune system. Canine parvovirus, adenovirus, and canine distemper have all been implicated as causes of fading puppy syndrome.
Intestinal parasites (especially hookworms), fleas and ticks can also weaken a puppy by taking vital blood and nutrients away from the developing puppy. Infested puppies often fail to gain weight and slowly fade and die.
What is fading puppy syndrome?
Fading puppy syndrome is a term used to describe puppies that are apparently normal at birth but 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%), with about half of these deaths occurring within the first week of life.
During the first two weeks of life, puppies are very vulnerable to illness and environmental stress since they are unable to regulate their body temperature independently. Very young puppies also have poor ability to regulate fluid and energy balance. In addition, their immune systems are not fully functioning, and they have limited protection from infections. This makes puppies susceptible to dying from a variety of causes.
Why Are Puppies Being Born Dead?
There are a few causes of stillborn litters in dogs:
Dystocia refers to a difficult birth and can be a result of wrong fetus positioning, narrow pelvis of the mother, too large puppies, and absence of uterine contractions.
The narrow pelvis is a concern in younger dog mothers and large puppies are a problem when the father is way larger than the mother.
In some breeds such as French and English bulldogs, the birth usually ends up with a cesarean section.
During difficult birth, the puppies remain stuck in the uterus longer than they should have.
This can result not only in a stillborn litter but serious health complications for the mother as well.
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Nutritional deficiencies occur when the mother doesn’t receive enough vitamins and energy sources essential for labor and nursing.
Veterinary check-ups and vet advice during pregnancy can help you ensure the mother is properly nurtured.
Certain medications can cause death or birth defects in puppies, so talk with your vet when you find out your dog is pregnant.
Importantly, common drugs like insulin and flea and heartworm preventatives are generally safe during pregnancy. These will prevent your dog from passing on dangerous parasites to her puppies.
Talk to your vet if your continuously medicated dog gets pregnant.
Genetic defects and toxin exposure are responsible for abnormal conditions in the form of congenital defects.
In most cases, they prove to be fatal for the unborn puppies.
The two most common microorganisms responsible for puppy death are Brucella Canis and Canine Herpesvirus. B. Canis causes embryonic and fetal death.
Puppies get herpesvirus from their mother in the womb or from other dogs in the house. Sadly almost all infected puppies under 3 weeks old will die.
Keep other dogs away from the mother for 3 weeks before her due date and 3 weeks after the birth to lessen the chances of her puppies getting sick.
B. canis is a type of bacteria that can infect unborn puppies in the uterus, causing miscarriages and stillbirths.
If you’re just preparing or will have other births in the future, make sure to check the dog pregnancy guide as well as what to do right before labor.
The fading puppy syndrome describes a situation when the puppy appears normal at birth but dies within 2 to 9 weeks.
Symptoms of a Fading Puppy Syndrome include:
This problem in puppies is caused by a variety of things.
Inadequate nutrition for both the mother and the puppies can be fatal for the whole litter.
Hypothermia is also a common cause of death since puppies can’t maintain their body temperature too well.
Puppies are vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and viruses which can be contracted from the placenta, the milk, and the environment.
Pathogens can be more potent in overcrowded litters and spread in the blink of an eye.
Inexperienced mothers sometimes accidentally step on the puppies, lay on them, or cause damage when eating the placenta.
You can’t keep an eye on the mother all of the time, but if it’s her first litter try to minimize the incidence of traumatic injuries to the pups.