The first few weeks of a puppy's life can be dangerous.They need to be kept warm, have their bodily functions taken care of by mom, and they are at the mercy of illness and injury once outside of the womb.Being a newborn puppy can be difficult, but the mom dog will do a good job of meeting all the puppies' needs.Occasionally, you will need to lend a hand to tend to a weak little one that is not getting the care he requires.
Step 1: The mother dog should be taking care of her puppies.
If the mother dog is pushing one puppy away, instead of drawing him near her, you should be concerned.A puppy without his mother will not get the food or warmth that he needs to thrive.
Step 2: Look for signs of trouble.
A newborn puppy can become weak in a matter of hours.Cold to the touch or cold mouth are some of the signs to look for to see if your puppy is having serious problems.
Step 3: Puppies should be checked frequently.
Twice a day, you should check the weights of your puppies.Kitchen scales can be used for puppy weigh-ins if you clean them well afterwards.The weight can be taken in grams or ounces.After the first day of life, they should gain 10% of their birth weight.This shows they are getting enough milk.For the first two weeks of life, you should record their weights in a notebook or spreadsheet.
Step 4: The puppy should be warm.
The first thing to do is make sure the puppy is warm.A cold puppy can become dangerously dehydrated and hypoglycemic, which can lead to life-threatening low blood sugar.Warming can be accomplished by placing a hot water bottle filled with very warm water in a cardboard box or shoe box and covering it with a towel.The top of the box can be lightly closed if the puppy is placed on a towel or cloth.Place the puppy under your clothing until it warms up.You might want to wrap the rear end in a piece of cloth so you don't go to the bathroom.There will be a few scratches on the puppy's tiny claws.It's dangerous to use a heating pad on a puppy.A heating pad can become dangerously hot even on the lowest setting.You want to warm the puppy over the course of a few hours.Warming can cause overheating.The heating pads for animals don't get as hot.You have to use a towel or fleecy cover between the pad and the puppy in order to avoid thermal burns.The puppy is too hot if she is panting.
Step 5: The puppy's temperature should be taken.
The puppy's temperature should be rectally taken after you think it is warm.Place a small amount of lubricant on the tip and gently insert it into the pup's rectum.The gastrointestinal tract won't work if the body temperature is below 94 F.Don't let the rectal temperature get over 99 F in a puppy if it is less than seven days old.The temperature should be written in the same notebook or spreadsheet as the weight.
Step 6: Help the puppy nurse.
When the puppy is warm and active, it's time to feed it.Try to see if the mother dog will let the puppy get on her teat.Puppies need the first milk from their mom to build their immune system, as it has valuable immune factors in it.It's possible that you need to give the weak puppy to his mom.While the weak puppy attempts to nurse, keep any other puppies in the same room as the mom.
Step 7: The puppy needs more blood sugar.
If the puppy is weak and unable to nurse, it could have a low blood sugar.There is a problem with its tongue and you can correct it by putting two or three small drops of corn syrup on it.Weakness and lethargy are some of the telltale signs of a newborn puppy's low blood sugar levels.There were sensations and twitches.Newborn puppies will twitch, so combine this with other signs of low blood sugar to differentiate between normal and abnormal twitches.There arevulsions.A person is unresponsive or comatose.
Step 8: The puppy has a milk supply.
If the pup wants to suckle and the mother won't let it nurse, you may need to feed it a suitable milk formula.Puppy replacement formula can be purchased from a veterinary office.It can be fed with a bottle or a needle.Make sure the formula is warm but not too hot by mixing it according to the directions.If you don't know which puppy milk replacement formula is best for your puppy, talk to a vet.
Step 9: The puppy should be fed on a regular basis.
A puppy needs to be fed every three to four hours.The number of daily feedings can be divided by the total daily Feeding found on the formula container label.For example, if you feed every three hours, you will get eight feedings total.Feed the formula fresh and warm.
Step 10: The puppy needs to go to the bathroom.
Puppies need stimulation in order to urinate and defecate.You will need to do this for a puppy that is neglected.Put the cotton ball in the warm water.Rub it on the puppy's vagina.This stimulation will cause the puppy to urinate or defecate.To dispose of the cotton ball and tissue in the garbage, wipe the genital area with a clean tissue.You should wash your hands after.
Step 11: The puppy should be taken to a vet.
If the puppy is not responding to your attempts to warm her or eat, you need to take her to the vet.Puppies can die from dehydration if they don't have enough to nurse them.If you have any concerns about your puppy's health, you should see your vet.The newborn puppy needs timely treatment.The puppy may die if you wait too long.