Fading Puppy Syndrome

Fading puppy syndrome describes a newborn puppy that fails to thrive and becomes progressively weak, usually during the first few weeks of life.

What is fading puppy syndrome?

Fading puppy syndrome is not one specific disease. It is a description used for puppies that appear normal at birth but then become weak, stop thriving and may die during the first two or three weeks of life.

Newborn puppies are particularly vulnerable because they cannot regulate their body temperature properly, have limited energy reserves and can quickly become cold, dehydrated or hypoglycaemic.

Their immune systems are immature, and their early protection depends heavily on receiving enough colostrum from their mother soon after birth.

Possible warning signs

• Failure to suck or remaining attached for only a short time
• Poor or absent weight gain
• Weight loss
• Constant crying, restlessness or moving away from the litter
• Unusual quietness or weakness
• Feeling cold to the touch
• Reduced movement or limpness
• Abdominal swelling
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Milk coming from the nose
• Laboured or rapid breathing
• Pale, grey or blue gums and tongue
• Tremors, muscle spasms or seizures

Possible causes

There are many possible causes, and more than one may be present at the same time:

• Hypothermia or an unsuitable environmental temperature
• Low blood glucose
• Dehydration
• Failure to receive enough milk or colostrum
• Poor milk production by the mother
• Mastitis or infected milk
• Bacterial infection and septicaemia
• Canine herpesvirus
• Parasites
• Congenital abnormalities, including cleft palate
• Low birth weight or prematurity
• Birth trauma or oxygen deprivation
• Aspiration of milk into the lungs
• Blood-group incompatibility in uncommon cases
• Poor maternal care or accidental injury by the mother

What to do while contacting your vet

Supplementary feeding

If the mother cannot provide enough milk, your vet may recommend a commercial canine milk replacer. Cow’s milk and home-made mixtures do not provide the correct nutritional balance for newborn puppies.

The quantity and frequency required depend on the puppy’s weight, age, health and how much milk it receives from its mother. Follow the milk replacer instructions and the specific advice given by your vet.

Bottle and syringe feeding

Milk must be given slowly with the puppy positioned naturally on its stomach, never on its back like a human baby. A teat should release milk slowly rather than allowing it to flow freely.

Forcing milk from a syringe, sponge or teat can cause the puppy to inhale it into the lungs. Stop immediately if milk appears at the nose, the puppy coughs, struggles or has difficulty breathing.

Tube feeding

Tube feeding can be lifesaving but can also be fatal if the tube enters the windpipe or the wrong amount is given. It should only be attempted after a veterinary professional has demonstrated the correct technique for that individual puppy.

Veterinary investigation and treatment

Your vet may examine the puppy and mother, assess temperature, hydration and blood glucose, check for congenital problems and test blood, urine, milk, vaginal discharge or other samples where appropriate.

Treatment depends on the cause and may include controlled warming, fluids, glucose, oxygen, assisted feeding and treatment for infection or another diagnosed condition.

Antibiotics should be selected by a veterinary surgeon when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed. The correct product and dose depend on the organism involved, the age and weight of the puppy and the health of the mother.

Looking after the mother and litter

• Keep the whelping area clean, warm, dry and free from draughts.
• Check that every puppy is feeding and not being pushed away.
• Weigh each puppy at the same time every day and record the result.
• Check the mother’s mammary glands for heat, pain, swelling, hardness or abnormal milk.
• Contact your vet if the mother is unwell, has a high temperature, poor appetite or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
• Wash hands before handling puppies and use separate clean bedding and equipment.
• Limit contact with visitors and unfamiliar dogs during the neonatal period.

Canine herpesvirus

Canine herpesvirus is one possible cause of fading or sudden death in puppies. Affected newborn puppies may stop feeding, cry, become weak, develop breathing or digestive problems and deteriorate rapidly.

If herpesvirus or another infectious cause is suspected, speak to your vet about testing, management of the remaining litter and precautions for future matings and pregnancies.

Beef liver water and other remedies

Beef liver water, glucose mixtures and products promoted as “miracle drops” are sometimes recommended online for fading puppies. They do not diagnose or treat the underlying cause and should not delay emergency veterinary care.

Placing drops into the mouth of a weak, cold or poorly swallowing puppy may cause aspiration. Do not give these products unless your veterinary surgeon has assessed the puppy and advised you to do so.

If a puppy dies

Although distressing, a veterinary post-mortem examination may help identify the cause and protect the remaining puppies or future litters.

Contact your vet promptly for instructions about preserving and transporting the puppy. Do not freeze the body unless the veterinary practice specifically advises you to do so.