NEONATAL MORTALITY IN DOGS

PREDISPOSING FACTORS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

- Selvakkumar. Ph.D.*

Newborn puppies are born with an immature immune system. Hence, mortality during this period is higher than any other period and this is known as neonatal mortality. Hence, a fully developed immune system is a must to successfully cross over this neonate period and this process starts with the dam’s milk. Due to their immature state, pups are easily affected by many risky factors which include infection, nutrition, physical injuries etc. Neonatal mortality in canines is associated with many factors, including prolonged labor than normal period, abandonment of young one by the dam, agalactia in bitch and other genetically transmitted disorders. For ease of understanding, the causative factors for neonatal mortality is grouped into the following categories.

1. Infectious
2. Non-infectious (Poor condition of the dam prior to whelping, difficulty in whelping, trauma)
3. Nutritional
4. Congenital (Stillbirth)
5. Maternal causes

 Infectious

Due to an immature immune system, the newborns are more vulnerable to many infectious agents. contaminated living places and poor management are the prime factors for the infection in puppies.

To avoid this situation, the pregnant puppy should be provided with a hygienically maintained separate whelping room prior and during parturition.