Pet Corner

(Continued from last week)  Herpes virus of young puppies Some of you may recall that, a few decades ago, there was a great awareness of herpes virus infections in the sexually active human population. 

Continued from last week   Puppy septicaemia (blood poisoning) Last week, I mentioned that as a sequel to a navel infection, a septicaemia could develop. 

Continued  Problems at the navel site (1)  Bleeding When a puppy is in the womb, it is connected to its mother by the umbilical cord which contains tubes (one vein and two arteries) which bring in nutrients and take out impure blood. 

Continued from last week   Puppy diseases   So far, we have been looking at the caring of the newborn puppy. 

Last week we described how one could ensure that food gets into the stomach of the newborn pup. 

Over the last two weeks we have been discussing the formula which we could use as a substitute for the dam’s milk.

Continued from last week Today we continue where we left off last week when we discussed the provision of a suitable hygienic environment and nutrition for the newborn puppies.

Continued from last week Hand-rearing of newborn puppies The advice given below is to pet owners who are faced with the challenge of hand-rearing part or all of a litter of newborn puppies. 

Continued from last week Importance of weight gain Puppies should gain one to one and half grams of weight per day for each pound of anticipated adult weight and should double their birth weight in eight to the days. 

Continued from last week Temperature As a puppy is born, his temperature is the same as that of his mother. 

Continued Caring for the newborn Newborn puppies are born without the capacity to adapt to environmental stress. 

Continued The runt The physically immature puppy is at a distinct disadvantage, because of his low birth weight and lack of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. 

Continued Why do newborn puppies die? According to USA textbook figures, thirty per cent of puppies die between birth and weaning. 

Continued   Last week we started sharing some basic information on newborn pups/kittens.

Continued It is important that we understand the physiology and behavioural patterns of newborn puppies, so that steps can be taken to provide an environment which is conducive to the flourishing of the pups.

Over the previous months we have discussed problems associated with pregnancy and whelping. 

Mothers learn to recognize and care for their puppies as they are born. 

Continued Milk fever In high producing dairy cattle, this ailment is serious. 

Continued Breast infection (mastitis) Last week we discussed ‘caked breasts.’  Today, we will examine that ailment which is a common problem that develops just after delivery of the puppies, and as they start to suckle.

Continued Last week we discussed the infected dog’s uterus (womb) during the period immediately after she has given birth.