CHAPTER 11 Neonatal Mortality
TABLE 11-1 Summary of 421 puppy deaths
Age | Number (%) |
---|---|
Parturition (stillbirth) | 126 (29.9) |
Days 0-3 (live birth) | 209 (49) |
Days 4-28 | 71 (16.9) |
Days 29-42 | 5 (1.2) |
Days 42-45 (postweaning) | 10 (2.4) |
From Lawler DF: Neonatal and pediatric care of the puppy and kitten, Theriogenology 70(3):384-392, 2008.
Environmental Issues

Figure 11-1 Whelping box with “hog rails.”
(From Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olsen PNS: Canine and feline theriogenology, St Louis, 2001, Saunders/Elsevier.)
Proper environmental hygiene is paramount, since puppies and kittens have a variety of structural, metabolic, and immune conditions that although normal for their age, makes them more susceptible to infectious disease. Proper selection of disinfectants is important; however, care should be taken to keep these from becoming environmental toxins (Table 11-2). Neonates have very thin skin and transdermally absorb toxins more readily than adults. The owner should be particularly careful with cleaning agents such as pine oils and phenols. Overuse of bleach or other disinfectants or employing high concentrations of these products puts the neonates at risk. Few disinfectants work well in the face of organic debris, therefore proper cleaning should occur before disinfecting the area (Box 11-4).
Disinfectant | Effective spectrum of activity |
---|---|
Phenolics | Most bacteria except spore formers, possibly some viruses |
Alkalis | Most bacteria, some spore formers, some viruses |
Chlorine | Wide bacterial spectrum, viruses and protozoa, little activity vs. spore formers† |
Chloramine | Most bacteria |
Quaternary ammonium | Most bacteria, some viruses† |
Chlorhexidine | Most bacteria and fungi, poor on spore formers or viruses† |
Hydrogen peroxide | Most bacteria, spore formers and virus |
* Use at manufacturer’s recommended concentration.
† Significantly decreased activity in organic material.