How to Revive a Newborn Puppy?

Pups who are born sick, or get injured for some reason, might experience breathing difficulties. Therefore, a dog owner may need to know how to revive a newborn puppy.

In order to save a fading puppy, it`s recommended to get in touch with a vet at the very first sign of problems. (Nelson, 2022)

However, time is an issue in these situations, so having knowledge of how to perform canine CPR may save the day. (“How To Give CPR To Your Puppy CPR – Infographic”, 2022)

On the other hand, before giving CPR to your puppy, please remember that this technique can have harmful effects and lead to physical complications, even be fatal, when given to a healthy canine.

Canine CPR needs to only be given when absolutely necessary. (“CPR for Dogs and Puppies | Video and Article | PetMD”, 2022)

What Is Canine CPR and Is Appropriate?

There are situations when newborn pups might face life-threatening issues such as heart failure. This is a case where you won`t have a choice but to try and administer CPR.

CPR, also known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, represents a method that helps maintain oxygen and blood being pushed and transported throughout the body when the heart has stopped beating. (“CPR for Dogs and Puppies”, 2022)

CPR for canines calls for chest compressions either with or without respiration being given artificially. Typically, this is used when you can`t feel or hear the heartbeat of a canine and the little fella` is no longer breathing. (“CPR for Dogs and Puppies | Video and Article | PetMD”, 2022)

Nevertheless, performing this medical action on a puppy might prove to be rather challenging as soon after birth puppies are quite fragile.

Essentially, by taking proper actions, performing compressions on the pup`s chest, breathing for the pup, and repeating the necessary steps as required, you may be able to improve the survival chance of the puppy. (Baker, 2022)

How Do You Save a Drying Newborn Puppy?

If your puppy is fading in front of you, this isn`t a good moment to try and be a hero. In other words, it`s best to get in touch with your closest veterinarian clinic when you notice the first signs of concern. (Vyas, 2022)

If we are talking about the fading puppy syndrome, this might be congenital or infectious. The latter may really be a vital issue as it might also put in danger the other pups of the litter.

If it`s congenital, this either be the result of a birth defect or a runt which wasn`t properly developed at birth. (“How Do You Dave a Dying Newborn Puppy?”, 2022)

If you don`t have a choice and really need to do something while professional help is on the way, try following these steps:

• Monitor the litter carefully: Pay attention to malformations such as puppies without the instinct of sucking, physical abnormalities, or crying in excess.
• Contact the veterinarian if a puppy cries in excess or separates from the litter: Newborn puppies shouldn`t cry too much and do a bit more than just nurse or sleep.
• Prepare a box for transport: Your veterinarian may need you to bring the canine mother and the entire litter in for medical investigation.
• The canine mother has to be tested for infection or malnutrition: The veterinarian will screen the blood of the mother for protein content or decreased levels of iron and ask you questions about the dog`s diet.

(Nelson, 2022)

How Long Does It Take to Revive a Newborn Puppy?

At birth, the puppy has to be stimulated as soon as its little heart starts beating. The chest compressions need to stop and only concentrate on stimulation.

Even if the pup`s heart has started to beat, you still need to continue rubbing your tiny new friend and turning it in your hands for about 20 minutes. (Elliott & Osborne, 2022)

Not all pups are able to begin breathing by themselves soon after birth. In some situations, a newborn canine might become unresponsive as a result of an injury or illness.

If this occurs, suctioning through their mouth along with chest compressions for 30 to 40 minutes may sometimes bring the little ones back. (Manuel, 2022)

How Do You Know If a Newborn Puppy Is Dying?

Newborn pups are generally born with a rather immature immune system which has to be built in time, beginning with the milk given by their mother.

Due to the fact that their systems are still immature, pups are predisposed to specific metabolic, environmental, and nutritional factors. (“Early Death in Puppies | PetMD”, 2022)

As a responsible dog owner, it`s essential for you to be able to identify when any of your newborn pups need some help to survive. Obviously, in this case, it`s all about telling if a newborn pup is about to die or not. (“How To Tell If a Newborn Puppy Is Dying — Breeding Business”, 2022)

There are several main signs that can be taken as warnings before the worst can happen.

• General lethargy
• Weight problems
• Low appetite
• Contact vocalizations
• Self-exclusion
• Diarrhea
• Darkish-yellow urine
• Decreased body temperature

(Morita, 2022)

How Long Does a Fading Puppy Last?

Fading puppy syndrome represents a medical condition in which pups may die unexpectedly. The newborn pups that experience this specific syndrome look normal and healthy when they are born, although they suddenly die within 1 – 3 weeks from birth. (“Fading Puppy Syndrome | Signs, Symptoms and Causes — Nova Pets Health Center”, 2022)

Typically, although these deaths happen within the first 1 to 3 weeks of age, they can occur up to 10 weeks from birth. (“Fading Puppy Syndrome – Wikipedia”, 2022)

Typical pre-weaning losses in canines, which include stillborn pups, can reach almost 30% of newborn puppies, around half of this percentage happening within the first seven days of life. (Williams, 2022)

These pups are known as “faders,” which essentially aren`t able to thrive and, for some reason, aren`t able to survive. (Farricelli, 2022)

Can a Fading Puppy Be Saved?

Finding out what led to the puppy`s death may determine what treatment can be followed. However, serious traumas and birth defects are problematic and, therefore, rather hard to treat with a positive outcome in mind. (“Fading Puppy Syndrome”, 2022)

On the other hand, anything is possible in the life of a canine! Your best chances are to bring your puppy to a veterinarian clinic as soon as possible, especially if you notice signs like:

• Not latching
• Trying to separate itself all the time
• Not developing the same as its siblings
• Crying all the time.

(Cassidy, 2022)

What you can do until a veterinarian is able to offer help to your little pal is to offer emergency care:

• Check the puppy for dehydration
• Warm the little one if you notice the pup is too disturbed to nurse
• Offer some honey or sugar solution to your puppy
• Give the puppy colostrum

(“Frequent question: Can You Save a Fading Puppy?”, 2022)

Can You Revive a Stillborn Puppy?

Reviving a stillborn pup is rather unlikely. However, although everything will depend on specific case circumstances, nothing is impossible! – Click here!

• Any liquid from the pup`s throat needs to be removed with a suction bulb.
• Turn the pup in your hand on their back in a very gentle manner while supporting their little heads.
• Blood flow stimulation needs to be performed by rubbing their little necks and backs while moving the pup as gently as possible.

(“Stillborn Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and High-Risk Breeds — Breeding Business”, 2022)

Although the rate of success for stillborn puppies to survive is very low, less than 1 in 10 pups manage to survive, it`s still better than not trying at all. (“How To Give CPR To Your Puppy CPR – Infographic”, 2022)

When to Get in Touch with your Vet?

The death of a newborn pup can be the result of various distinct reasons, which include birth injuries, infectious illnesses, and so on.

In this case, you`ll want to get in touch with your vet as it`s paramount to make sure you`ll be able to find out what was the causing health problem.

Your vet might advise testing the dead newborn pup to investigate what was the death cause. He`ll also do a physical investigation of the canine mother as well as any live pups to offer you guidelines for additional treatment. (“What Do You Do with a Dead Puppy | Farewell Pet”, 2022)

Final Word

Although the birth of a puppy can be an exciting event, not everything always goes as planned.

Stillborn pups or pups that can die soon after birth aren`t as uncommon as you may think. That’s knowing how to revive a newborn puppy might prove to be helpful.

One must have knowledge of what to watch out for and how to manage the whole situation as soon as it occurs.

Reference List:

Baker, L. (2022). How to Give a Newborn Puppy CPR: 15 Steps (with Pictures). wikiHow Pet. Retrieved 21 July 2022, from https://www.wikihow.pet/Give-a-Newborn-Puppy-CPR.

Cassidy, R. (2022). Fading Puppy Syndrome: Prevention and Treatment – Animalso. Animalso. Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://animalso.com/fading-puppy-syndrome/.

CPR for Dogs and Puppies. PDSA. (2022). Retrieved 23 July 2022, from https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/other-veterinary-advice/cpr-for-dogs-and-puppies.

CPR for Dogs and Puppies | Video and Article | PetMD. PetMD. (2022). Retrieved 23 July 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_cardiopulmonary_resuscitation.

Early Death in Puppies | PetMD. PetMD. (2022). Retrieved 23 July 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_neonatal_mortality.

Elliott, P., & Osborne, C. (2022). 4 Ways to Revive a Puppy – wikiHow. Wikihow.com. Retrieved 23 July 2022, from https://www.wikihow.com/Revive-a-Puppy.

Fading Puppy Syndrome. PetPlace. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/fading-puppy-syndrome/.

Fading Puppy Syndrome – Wikipedia. Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fading_puppy_syndrome.

Fading Puppy Syndrome | Signs, Symptoms and Causes — Nova Pets Health Center. Nova Pets Health Center. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://www.novapetshealthcenter.com/blog/fading-puppy-syndrome.

Farricelli, A. (2022). How to Prevent, Recognize, and Treat Fading Puppy Syndrome. PetHelpful. Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-to-Prevent–Recognize-and-Treat-Fading-Puppy-Syndrome.

Frequent question: Can You Save a Fading Puppy?. Mi Dog Guide. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://midogguide.com/maintenance-and-care/frequent-question-can-you-save-a-fading-puppy.html.

How Do You Dave a Dying Newborn Puppy?. Mi Dog Guide. (2022). Retrieved 21 July 2022, from https://midogguide.com/diseases/how-do-you-save-a-dying-newborn-puppy.html.

How To Give CPR to Your Puppy CPR – Infographic. Carrington College. (2022). Retrieved 20 July 2022, from https://carrington.edu/blog/how-to-give-a-puppy-cpr/.

How To Tell If a Newborn Puppy Is Dying — Breeding Business. Breeding Business. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://breedingbusiness.com/telling-if-a-newborn-puppy-is-dying/.

Manuel, M. (2022). How To Revive a Stillborn Puppy Successfully? (Step-By-Step). Cupid Dogs. Retrieved 23 July 2022, from https://cupiddogs.com/how-to-revive-a-stillborn-puppy/.

Morita, C. (2022). How to Tell If a Newborn Puppy Is Dying and What You Can Do?. Puppy In Training. Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://puppyintraining.com/how-to-tell-if-a-newborn-puppy-is-dying/.

Nelson, M. (2022). 3 Ways to Save a Fading Newborn Puppy – wikiHow. Wikihow.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022, from https://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Fading-Newborn-Puppy.

Stillborn Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and High-Risk Breeds — Breeding Business. Breeding Business. (2022). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://breedingbusiness.com/stillborn-dogs/.

Vyas, B. (2022). How to Save a Fading Newborn Puppy. Dog Wheel Chairs India. Retrieved 21 July 2022, from https://www.dogwheelchairsindia.com/save-fading-newborn-puppy/.

What Do You Do with a Dead Puppy | Farewell Pet. Farewell Pet. (2022). Retrieved 25 July 2022, from https://farewellpet.com/what-do-you-do-with-a-dead-puppy/.

Williams, K. (2022). Fading Puppy Syndrome in Dogs. Veterinarians & Emergency Vets. Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/puppy-fading-puppy-syndrome-in-dogs.