New Born Puppy Information
Having puppies can be a nerve-wracking event, especially if this is the first time you have ever taken care of a pregnant dog. All pregnant dogs need to have regular vet checks throughout the pregnancy. Narrow-hipped breeds such as English bulldogs are physically unable to give birth normally. They need to deliver by Caesarean section. Even if the dog delivers the puppies normally, they still need to be supervised.
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Vital Signs
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According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," a newborn puppy's heart rate is 160 to 200 beats per minute. A new born puppy breathes between 15 to 35 times a minute. They will have a body temperature of 74 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 to 36 degrees Celsius). These vital signs change when the puppy is one month old.
Behavior
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It is normal for a new born puppy to lift its head and wriggle a bit. They will not be able to being crawling for another two weeks. The belly should be round and the puppy should be silent unless suddenly disturbed. If the puppy is crying and seems thin, this is a sign that the mother dog cannot produce enough milk or that the puppy is sick. It is normal for sleeping puppies to twitch.
Neglect
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Puppies can die quickly of neglect by the mother. If the dog needed a Caesarean, she may not develop the maternal bond that mother dogs have for their puppies. She may also just not know what to do and may try to leave them. If the dog is frightened or tries to attack the puppies, remove them and raise them by hand as if they were orphans.
Handling
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Newborn puppies should be handled as little as possible for the first four weeks, especially if the mother is nervous having anyone around them. The puppies need to spend the time eating, sleeping and growing. If your vet advises weighing the puppies every day to be sure they are getting enough to eat, then perform this task as quickly as possible. If the mother is relaxed letting people she knows handle the puppies, then just let people she knows handle the puppies a few minutes a day.
Warmth
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Cold and damp conditions are lethal for puppies. The room where the mother and puppies are in needs to be about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7-degrees Celsius). By the time the puppies are one month old, this can be reduced to 75-degrees Fahrenheit (23.9-degrees Celsius).
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