Fading puppy syndrome affects puppies under the age of 12 weeks. Affected puppies, known as ''faders,'' will typically do poorly from the day they are born, or they may do well initially, but then they stop growing and fail to thrive, potentially dying within the first two weeks of life.
This is most common in the first week of life, but may occur up to 3 weeks old. A number of different conditions can cause fading puppy syndrome. Sometimes solitary puppy deaths are related to a birth defect that was not immediately apparent.
The failure to thrive in newborn puppies and kittens, or neonates, is known as fading puppy and kitten syndrome. The syndrome can occur from birth to 9 weeks of age. Affected neonates can decline quickly and die, so immediate detection and treatment are key to survival.
Puppies with fading puppy syndrome frequently die within 24 hours of showing signs. Also, some causes of the syndrome, such as birth defects, are not easily treatable. Immediate veterinary care is critical to try to save a fading puppy.
Fading puppy syndrome (or fading puppy complex) is when a puppy dies within the first few weeks of life without a clear cause of death or clinical signs, that is to say, they fail to thrive. Death usually occurs within the first five days of life, but can happen up to ten weeks of age.
Fading puppy syndrome (FPS) is a lethal condition in dogs, affecting up to 30% of litters up to 3 weeks of age, with most deaths occurring within the first seven days post-partum (PP)1–4.
If your puppy doesn't stop whimpering or crying, this could be a tell-tale sign that they're not feeling well. Therefore, you should reach out to a trusted vet to get their opinion on what could be the problem. In addition, you should keep a watchful eye out for other symptoms of illness.
If the puppies huddle close to each other under the heat source, it may mean they're too cold and are trying to use the group's body heat to stay warm. If the puppies are scattered in different areas of the box, it could mean they're too hot.
A newborn puppy breathing with their mouth open can be a sign that they are not getting enough air. A newborn puppy gasping for air will need immediate assistance.
Among 150 dogs, the top causes were underlying occult neoplasia, mostly hemangiosarcoma; cardiac disease; respiratory disease, with more than half the cases resulting from aspirated food; trauma; and gastrointestinal accidents.
Congenital hypotrichosis is a condition where dogs experience the loss of their hair either at birth or just a few months old. This is due to a problem in the development of their hair follicles or their not having some or all of the follicles where hair will typically grow from.
If the puppy is warm, yet weak and unable to nurse, it may have a low blood sugar. Place two or three small drops of corn syrup on its tongue to correct this problem. Specific signs of hypoglycemia in a newborn puppy are: Weakness and lethargy.
Causes of Seizures in Puppies
In puppies, especially very small puppies, dangerously low blood sugar, termed hypoglycemia, can be a common cause of seizures. Certain toxins, including those found in plants, pesticides, drugs and medication, and even food can also cause seizures.
Fading Puppy Syndrome usually occurs in neonates (newborns) from birth to 3 weeks. Signs include not nursing, crying, and losing weight. The puppy may be limp. Feces may be soft and yellow green if fading is caused by the canine herpes virus.
Canine parvovirus, adenovirus and canine distemper have all been implicated as causes of fading puppy syndrome. Intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks can also weaken a puppy by taking vital blood and nutrients away from the developing puppy. Infested puppies often fail to gain weight and slowly “fade” and die.
Faders also tend to separate themselves from their mother and other pups. They're also criers in a weak, high-pitched tone that some refer to as seagulling (since it's similar to a seagull's cry). Most of the time, fading puppies progress quickly to the loss of muscle tone, severe lethargy, and death.
Fading puppies should be separated from other puppies and placed in a box with a heating pad ensuring they are gradually warmed if chilled. They should be given a drop of Karo syrup every couple of hours rubbed on the puppy's gums.
For the majority of puppies, breathing fast is a short-lived and normal effect and shouldn't worry you. You should only consider talking to a vet if the puppy is breathing fast for prolonged periods of time, or there are other signs of disease. More than likely, you just have a very excitable puppy who won't calm down!
One of the techniques that has been used to remove the fluid from lungs of a puppy immediately after birth involves holding the puppy in the hand with arm extended and "swinging" the puppy, head down, in an arc. This will often successfully clear the fluid in the lungs so the pup can begin to breathe normally.
Puppies under two weeks old need to be fed every 3-4 hours. Slightly older puppies, aged two to four weeks, should be fed every 6-8 hours.
Puppies should eat or sleep 90% of the time during the first two weeks of life. "If they are crying during or after eating, they are usually becoming ill, are not receiving adequate milk, or the mother's milk has become infected (mastitis)."
The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and 2-3 times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper.
The phrase “Puppy Blues” refers to feelings of anxiety, depression, or both related to acquiring a dog under the age of one. Symptom severity may change daily, but overall, these feelings interfere with your ability to function daily. Nearly 70% of puppy owners reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both.
Puppy Developmental Stages and Learning to Communicate
They cry or whine to seek contact or care from their mother. At this stage, puppies are helpless; they rely on their mother for everything from food and grooming to a warm and secure place to sleep.
The first night at home puppy is likely to cry, whine or even bark during the night. This is because for his first two months of life, his nights were spent snuggling into his mum and siblings and feeling warm, comfortable and safe in their presence.