Emergency Care for a Critically Ill Newborn Puppy

Newborn puppies that are gasping for breath often suffer from conditions such as low blood oxygen levels, low birth weight, and malnutrition. If such a situation arises, it is crucial to act quickly and provide immediate emergency care. This article aims to share some essential firstaid measures.

How to Perform Emergency First Aid on a Newborn Puppy in Distress

When you find a newborn puppy gasping for air, here are the emergency steps you should take:

1. Clear the Airway. Thoroughly inspect the puppy's airway for any blockages of amniotic fluid or mucus. If you find any, gently hold the puppy upside down or elevate its head, and use a clean cloth or tissue to clear mucus from its mouth and nose. Additionally, use a syringe without a needle or a rubber bulb to suction out any mucus from the puppy's respiratory tract.

2. Artificial Respiration. If the puppy continues to struggle with breathing, you may need to perform artificial respiration. While doing so, gently compress the puppy's abdomen rhythmically and pull its front limbs forward and backward.

3. Keep Warm. Newborn puppies have very weak immune systems, so it's essential to keep them in a warm environment. If the room is cold, use a heat lamp, electric blanket, or a heating pad to raise the temperature.

4. Provide Nutrition. For weak newborn puppies, start by giving them a small amount of 5% glucose solution to help restore their body functions. Afterward, feed them goat's milk to support their recovery. If the puppy is too weak to nurse, this is a suitable alternative. In case of dehydration, oral rehydration salts should be administered as an emergency measure.

If the puppy's condition does not improve after these firstaid steps, or if it shows signs of severe distress such as difficulty breathing, hypothermia, or other serious health issues, it is vital to take it to a veterinary hospital for professional treatment. During transportation to the vet, place the puppy on its side in a box and avoid holding it.

How to Care for a Newborn Puppy

Firstly, newborn puppies should only be fed breast milk or goat's milk; no other food is suitable, including cow's milk. Most puppies are lactose intolerant, and their digestive systems are not fully developed, making them prone to diarrhea or even death when fed milk.

Additionally, newborn puppies require frequent feeding, with every two hours being a common schedule. After the first month, gradually reduce feedings to 4 to 5 times a day. Puppies can be weaned around 30 to 40 days old, and by the time they are 3 months old, feedings can be reduced to 4 times a day. Between 4 to 8 months, feed them 3 times daily, and from 8 months onwards, twice a day should suffice. If the mother dog is nursing, ensure she has ample milk supply, as she will naturally stimulate the puppies to nurse. For puppies being bottlefed, use a syringe or bottle, and be sure to advance the milk slowly to prevent choking.

It's also important to note that newborn puppies do not initiate defecation on their own. If the mother dog does not stimulate them, the owner must use a cotton swab to gently stimulate the puppy's anus to help it defecate, doing this 2 to 3 times a day.

In summary, if you find a newborn puppy gasping for breath, act promptly to save its life. Moreover, due to their fragile immune systems, it is crucial for owners to provide thorough care for these little ones.