The smallest pup in a litter is called a runt.A runt doesn't need any more care than its littermates.A newborn pup that is significantly underweight, weak, or underdeveloped needs extra attention.Runts are often rejected by their mothers, so you'll need to hand feed them.Keeping it warm and hydrated is one way to make sure it gains weight.During the first few months of the pup's life, work with the vet to give it the best chance of survival.
Step 1: If the pup is nursing, check it out.
A newborn runt is most at risk of being rejected by its mother when trying to nurse.After the pups are born, watch them while they nurse.If the smallest can't get to a teat, you might have to hand feed it.The mother will help the runt get onto the teat.Bring the puppy to her teat if she ignores it.If the mother refuses to nurse the puppy, you'll have to hand feed it.
Step 2: If the pup can suckle, feed it a bottle.
If the pup can suckle, you can feed it with a pet nurser bottle.The pup will suckle until it's full, then reject the bottle.If possible, put on a pair of surgical gloves and squeeze the milk from the mother's teat into a sterile cup.Purchase puppy milk substitute from a pet store or ask the vet for it if you can't express milk by hand.Your vet can give you more advice.
Step 3: If necessary, tube feed the pup.
When a newborn puppy is too weak to suckle, tube feeding is necessary.Place the catheter in the pup's mouth and let him swallow it.When you've given it about half of the milk, depress the needle for three seconds.There should be no milk in the puppy's nose.Rub its belly and give it the rest of the meal.Before feeding a puppy, you should have a vet show you how to do it.They can demonstrate the process and give you the right equipment.If you don't do this, the puppy may be harmed by accidentally pushing food into its lungs.This can cause injury or death.
Step 4: Within the first 24 hours, feed the puppy.
Colostrum is a liquid that the mother makes after giving birth.The pup will have a weak immune system if it hasn't nursed within the first day.If you can't get a supply of the mother's milk within the first few hours after delivery, ask the vet.It's a good idea to get a supply of colostrum from the vet before a litter is born.
Step 5: Help the pup get rid of food.
Newborn puppies can't go to the bathroom on their own, so their mother licks their rear end to help them eliminate.If the runt's mother doesn't like it, you'll need to boost its elimination reflexes until it is three weeks old.After feeding it, gently stroke the area around its anus with a cotton ball or cloth.
Step 6: The pup should be weighed daily.
A runt puppy is usually 25 percent lighter than its littermates after birth.You will need to keep an eye on its weight for at least a month.Its weight should increase by five to ten percent per day.If your dog isn't gaining weight, call the vet.After a month of weighing it daily, you can switch to weekly weighing.Check the accuracy of a digital gram scale by weighing an object with a constant weight.
Step 7: The puppy should be fed around three and a half weeks.
To start weaning, blend dry puppy food with milk or puppy milk substitute.Allow the pup to check it out and start eating it, then offer it in a bowl.Slowly decrease the amount of milk you use and the time it takes to blend the mush over the course of three weeks.The pup should be eating dry food and drinking water by seven weeks.Continue to keep an eye on its weight during the process.Call the vet if it loses weight.
Step 8: The pup should be in a separate box.
A number of issues can cause a newborn to be weak.You should separate the pup from the litter because most causes are not contagious.You wouldn't want an outbreak on your hands if a disease is to blame.Runts of the litter are often fragile and have weak bones, so keeping them separate will help prevent injury.Take the puppy to the vet if you think it may be sick.
Step 9: A towel is placed in the box to cover the heating pad.
Puppies under two weeks old need help maintaining their body temperature, but runts are prone to Hypothermia.The pup can cool off on the other side of the whelp box if it gets too hot.Measure the box's temperature with a thermometer.During the first week, it should stay between 85 and 90 degrees.During the second week, gradually decrease it to 80 degrees.The temperature should be around 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 degrees Celsius) by the fourth week.
Step 10: Dehydration can be checked for regularly.
Pull the skin between the pup's shoulders.It should be snapped back in place.If the skin doesn't spring back quickly, the pup is dehydrated.A runt is more prone to dehydration than its littermates.
Step 11: Under a vet's advisement,hydrate the pup.
If your dog is dehydrated, call the vet.The vet may tell you to mix a solution with common ingredients.Follow their instructions.The solution should be administered with a dropper.In cases of severe dehydration, the vet will have to inject a hydrating solution beneath the pup's skin.
Step 12: Within 48 hours, take the mother and her litter to the vet.
Even if the entire litter is healthy, you should schedule a vet exam after helping.If you notice a fading puppy, call the vet as soon as possible.Runts need to be fed and monitored.You'll want to rule out medical problems if you're on the side of caution.
Step 13: The vet can check for health issues.
An under nourished and weak pup could have an underlying health problem.The mother could have a variety of infections.The vet will give you treatment options based on their findings.
Step 14: The vet can tell you about supplements and immune support.
Even if they didn't find any issues, the vet could still recommend action.They might suggest supplements to strengthen the runt's bones.If the pup hasn't eaten colostrum, they'll recommend you keep it away from other dogs and get the vaccine early.