Weak Puppies

A healthy puppy will feel warm, dry, and full in the belly and have a normal skin tension. They should try to wriggle when you handle them. A weak puppy sometimes has a cool, damp and limp. When you lift the skin it may not return to it's former position. That may indicate dehydration. A healthy puppy emits a gentle, murmuring sound when handled and may make little cries and squeaks when he is hungry. A healthy puppy will settle, or find a place and be still while a sick puppy is always moving and trying to find comfort. This wastes energy. If you see a puppy lying off by himself, consider that he may be sick. Better to place him with the others as they use each other to stay warm.

Radiators or space heaters may be used to keep litters warm in a room. You can also place hot water bottles or commercial heating pads under the bedding. Heat lamps are sometimes used. But, be careful not to place the puppies in direct contact with heating pads or to place the heat lamp too close to the puppies.

A sick puppy may miss several feedings if not noticed. Sometimes a puppy needs to be hand fed. Usually a few days of hand feeding will restore the puppy's strength and enable him to re-join his mates. Hand feeding may be accomplished with a small dropper and the use of pre-mixed puppy formula or milk replacement. But, try to help the newborn puppy to get some of his mother's early or first milk. Called colostrum, this milk has special ingredients that enable the puppy to ward off certain illnesses.