Canine neonatal mortality in four large breeds

The high mortality in canine neonates are related to many factors, including prolonged labour, maternal neglect or carelessness, lack of milk, plus congenital abnormalities and acquired disorders in the neonate [1,3-5]. The immature status of the newborn puppies makes them vulnerable and totally depending on intensive care from the dam. The puppies are highly susceptible to hypothermia, due to poorly developed thermoregulatory mechanisms. They cannot induce peripheral vasoconstriction or react to low temperature by shivering. The energy requirement is high, but the energy reserves are low and the immature liver is inefficient in generating energy. This makes the neonate predisposed to hypoglycaemia. Due to immature kidney function there is an increased risk of dehydration. The neonates have a high percentage of body water (82%) compared to adults and have a greater loss of water through their lungs and skin due to a large surface to volume ratio, which further increase the risk of dehydration [7-9].