Adopting an orphaned or abandoned puppy can be a rewarding experience. Although it’s a serious responsibility and will require effort and caution from your end. Newborn puppies are just as fragile as human babies if not more. They rely on their mother for a source of warmth and nutrition. This also means extra measures need to be taken in order to take care of them without their mother.
- Providing Warmth – As mentioned earlier, brand new puppies receive warmth from their mother. A puppy without a mother would require alternative sources of heat, such as – incubators, heating pads or warm water bottles. For the first week of its life, the orphaned puppy should be kept in an environmental temperature of 29.4 – 32.20 C. By the second week, you can gradually decrease the temperature to 26.70 C. At the end of the fourth week the puppy’s temperature should reach that of an adult dog, i.e. – 22.20 C.
- Gentle Stimulation For Puppy Elimination – For the first two to three weeks of their lives, puppies require stimulation from their mother to encourage urination and defecation. In absence of their birth giver, you can gently massage your puppies’ genital areas with a moist cloth after every feed, to stimulate bowel and bladder action. If this is not done, the puppy can become constipated.
- Weight Check – Newborn puppies are prone to falling sick due to low immunity. This can also affect their weight and growth. Weighing the puppy regularly is a good way to keep their growth in check. If you notice that they are losing or gaining too much weight, immediately consult a veterinarian.
Problems Associated With Newborn Puppies
Newborn puppies are under high risk of suffering from various health issues. The problems can range from hyperthermia and dehydration to diarrhoea and birth defects.
- Hyperthermia – A newborn puppy relies on the radiant heat from its mother’s body and maintains its body temperature. In her absence, it can lose an abnormal amount of heat which results in extremely low body temperature. Here are the telltale signs,
- Tiredness
- Shivering
- Stiff muscles
It usually happens due to long exposure to the cold atmosphere. If your puppy is showing these symptoms, try to keep it warm by wrapping it in a warm blanket or placing a hot towel against its stomach. If it falls below 36.7 degree Celsius, immediately seek attention from a nearby vet.
- Dehydration – The lack of regular parental care can often cause the puppy to be dehydrated. There can be other reasons as well, such as vomiting, or diarrhoea. All mammals rely on water to regulate their body functions. Dogs are no exceptions.
To test whether your puppy is suffering from dehydration or not you can try to,
- Pull lightly on their skin. If it returns back to its initial position immediately, your puppy is perfectly hydrated. If not, it’s a sign of loss of skin elasticity. Which is a potential sign of dehydration.
- Press your fingers against your puppy’s gums to check whether it’s sticky or dry and then remove them. If it’s hydrated then the colour of the gum will be white for a mere second before returning to the usual pink colour. The capillary refilling takes much longer in a dehydrated puppy.
- Hypoglycemia -Hypoglycemia in dogs is defined as a blood glucose concentration of less than 60 mg/dl. It’s not rare to encounter puppies with hypoglycemia. Symptoms that a puppy with hypoglycemia can show are lethargy, lack of strength, and convulsions. If your puppy appears to have hypoglycemia, immediately give it oral concentrated glucose solution , such as corn syrup, glucose syrup or 50% dextrose.
Can Newborn Puppies Survive Without Mother’s Milk?
Mother’s milk is the source of essential nutrients and antibodies necessary for the growth and development of puppies. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. The antibodies present in mother’s milk, also known as immunoglobulins, protect the puppies from infections and diseases till they develop their own immune system. If the mother is not present it becomes extremely difficult for the puppy to survive. Although alternative substitutes for milk can be a solution in the short term, it’s the best idea to find a foster mother for the orphaned puppy.
Try contacting local breeders, vets, dog shelters and animal rescue centres to find a potential mother. If you can find one, then slowly and gently introduce the puppy to her. The dog however might be aggressive towards the puppy. If that’s the case then remove the puppy from her and look for a more suitable one.
What To Feed Newborn Puppies Without Mother?
If a puppy is orphaned and there’s no suitable foster to nurse it, then there are mainly two options you can try to feed it;
- Commercial Milk Replacer Formula – The amount of milk to be fed depends on the puppy’s weight. You can calculate it by multiplying the puppy’s weight (kg) with 180 ml. Before purchasing a milk replacer, read the label. It should contain 33g crude protein, 42g fat and 14.5g lactose per 100 g. Here are some best formulas according to customer ratings, Thomas Labs Goatalac Goat Milk Replacer Powder, Pet Ag Goat’s Milk Esbilac Powder, Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk Powder and Vetina Puppy & Kitten Milk Replacer, Powder Milk.
- Homemade Formula – In case you can’t afford or find a suitable commercial formula, you can try making a formula at home with goat/cow milk, egg yolks, vegetable oil and calcium carbonate. You can also consult a professional to ensure the safety of the formula.
How Often Should Orphaned Puppies Be Fed?
Newborn puppies without a mother should be fed small amounts frequently throughout the day. Under 2-weeks old puppies should preferably be fed four to five meals in total with gaps of every 2 – 4 hours in between the meals.
The temperature of the fluid should be approx 380 celsius. Reduce the volume of the fluid, if the puppy develops diarrhoea. After the puppy grows old enough, (over 2-weeks of age), you can feed it every 4-6 hours. To prevent choking, use a nursing bottle to feed the puppy.
How To Clean Newborn Puppies Without Mother?
If the puppy lost its mother immediately after birth, then start cleaning it by removing the amniotic membrane. Then clear away the mucus and snip the umbilical cord. To do the latter, be very cautious. Tie a piece of sterile thread 2.5 cm from its belly. Use sharp sterile scissors to cut the knot on the far side of the knot. Delicately wipe away the belly button and placental stump with disinfectant. Do not bathe it! Puppies under 4 weeks shouldn’t be bathed.
If the puppy is at least a few days old when orphaned, the cleaning process is much easier to follow. Just make sure that the puppy urinates or defecates on a cotton ball by gentle bowel stimulation and wipe away any leftover mess. Repeat this after each feeding. After 21 days, the puppy will be able to do this on its own. The only thing you need to do is, maintain a clean whelping box by wiping it with chemical free cleansers 1-2 times daily.
It might seem like a lot to do, especially if you have never taken care of a pet before. But as long as the initial few days pass by, you will get used to it and might even find it rewarding to see it grow up safe and happy under your care.