(Continued)
Cleft palate/hare lip
Clefts are probably the most common inherited abnormality involving the palate and lips of puppies. I use the word ‘inherited’ cautiously and without total certainty, because other factors (eg nutritional deficiencies of the mother during pregnancy, assorted other stresses, drug/chemical exposures, viral ailments during pregnancy, etc) might influence the processes involved in the formation of the face of the pup during the early embryonic stages.
In cats, we have seen cleft palates appearing after a fall from a considerable height. In most cases, however, cleft palate/hare lip seem to be the result of incest (ie when the mother and father of the puppies are closely related. When the cleft of the lip/palate is large enough, suckling becomes impossible. The first visible symptom is milk oozing from the nostrils, especially when the puppy begins to suckle. Since the milk can’t reach the stomach, the pup dies from starvation. If, because of this anatomical disorder, the milk gets into the lungs, then we could have a respiratory infection.
Death will be due to the infection. One can easily palpate the palate to ascertain whether there is a cleft present. The hare lip is, of course, readily visible. I should mention that in those cases where the anatomical malformation is not very pronounced, some of the milk will reach the stomach and the puppies will therefore receive a bit of nourishment. However they will never thrive as well as their healthy litter mates. One can also try with the hand-rearing regime as described in ‘Pet Corner’ of December 2 and 9, 2007. The treatment of this anatomical deficiency can only be surgical. The surgery must be performed before the puppy’s health has been compromised too much. Also, you must discuss with your veterinarian, whether such a puppy deserves to live and possibly procreate, thus perpetuating the genes associated with this abnormality.
Canine herpes virus
Don’t panic! This is not the same herpes virus infection that attacks humans. In fact, it does not even infect other species of farmyard/ household pets. It is very specific for dogs and close members of the dog family. It is truly a ‘treacherous’ disease, because it creeps up on the puppy. The infant puppies (1-3 weeks old) show hardly any sign of ailment; then, in less than 24 hours, they are dead. The mother’s milk is usually flowing well, and the pups are nursing with vigour – until they abruptly stop. You might not even notice this cessation of nursing.
What you will notice is a pitiful, incessant crying of the puppies. Their abdomens become quickly swollen and they tend to develop a soft greenish – yellow stool. The infected puppies seem to be disoriented and there is no coordination of movement. At this point there is not much you can do. You may try keeping them warm (blankets, light bulb over the box). Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against this disease, and your veterinarian can only treat the symptoms of the ailment, not the cause. Actually, the survival rate of these fragile young pups with herpes virus is not encouraging. The one good thing is that the virus itself is not resilient. Most household disinfectants can kill the virus and it is relatively easily destroyed outside the host (pup).
Bleeding puppy syndrome
Many young pups tend to haemorrhage easily early in life (first week) because of a deficiency of one of the blood-clotting factors. Often the bleeding is internal where it cannot be seen. But even if it is external and visible, it is difficult to produce blood clotting once the haemorrhage has begun.
The injection of Vitamin K is the treatment of choice, since the clotting factor can only be built up if Vitamin K is present. Also, it is important that all litter-mates be injected with Vitamin K, even if only one pup shows the uncontrollable bleeding.
Navel ill
This is an infection of the umbilical cord (rather, the stump of the detached umbilical cord). If the mother has an infection of the mouth, she can transmit same on to the umbilical cord when she severs the latter with her teeth, during the birth of the pups. Of course, contamination/infection from the surrounding area could also be the source of the ailment. There is an accompanying swelling/redness in the navel area. Sometime you can actually smell the dead tissue and see the pus. The treatment would entail the use of antibiotics and the painting of the stump with Povidone iodine. In fact, it is a good idea to always treat the umbilical stumps with iodine at birth. If the infection does not clear up soon or it gets worse, you must contact your veterinarian. If the wound becomes septic and the germs get into the pup’s bloodstream and organs and multiply uncontrollably (septicaemia), then the pup will surely die.
Next week, we’ll deal more specifically with other cases of puppy septicaemia.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
