Delivering and caring for a new litter can be an overwhelming task for any mother. Even though your dog will probably do a great job caring for her babies, there are some things you can do to help her while she continues to nurse. Warm EnvironmentKeeping the babies warm is essential, and chilling can result in serious illness or even death. In the first few weeks of life, puppies are unable to maintain their body temperature. Usually, they snuggle up to their mother to provide heat support. You can assist by keeping the whelping box in an 85 to 90 degree Fahrenheit environment for the first 5 days of life. Electric bulbs suspended far away from curious noses of the babies or mother or well insulated heating pads work well.From day 5 to 10, slowly reduce the temperature to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue to slowly reduce the temperature. By the end of the fourth week of life, the environmental temperature should be around 75 F.
When owners bring their new puppy to a veterinary practice, one of the first questions is how old he/she is? The answer lies in the mouths of these babes.
That cute little puppy stole your heart and now he’s part of your family. You love him dearly, but remember: He’s your responsibility and you need to take care of him.
All dogs should be vaccinated. Even if you’re adopting a dog and think he’s probably had his shots, play it safe and have him vaccinated again. It’s better to give an extra vaccine than none at all.
Your dog just delivered a litter of cute pudgy puppies, and soon you will see many changes as they begin to grow. Here is a quick overview of the developmental milestones in your puppy’s life.
A puppy's relationships with his mother and littermates during the first eight weeks of his life determine his personality and what kind of companion he'll be. His mother will provide for his basic needs,...
Dogs began having puppies long before humans came into their lives, so there’s no need for day-to-day management of your pregnant dog. It’s more important to understand what’s normal during pregnancy and...
Puppies that do not survive the first few weeks are afflicted with “fading puppy syndrome” and are called “faders.” About 20 to 40 percent of all puppies born do not survive past 12 weeks of age.
The maternal instinct is one of the strongest in nature, but pups can become orphaned as the result of a variety of circumstances, such as death or illness of the mother, or her inability to produce sufficient...
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