What Are the Symptoms of Fading Puppy Syndrome?

What Is Fading Puppy Syndrome?

Fading puppy syndrome is a condition that causes puppies to die suddenly and unexpectedly. Puppies who die of this syndrome are healthy and normal at birth but fade and die within one to three weeks. Since puppies are otherwise healthy when they die of fading puppy syndrome, there is no exact cause of death. However, various factors can contribute to this syndrome.

Why Does Fading Puppy Syndrome Happen?

Scientists and veterinarians don't know for sure what causes fading puppy syndrome. However, contributing factors include the following conditions and circumstances:

• Poor maternal care
• Poor milk quality
• Lack of milk
• Inadequate immunity
• Intestinal parasites
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Low birth weight
• Birth defects
• Dystocia

Dystocia occurs when a dog experiences difficulty giving birth. When dystocia happens, the dog struggles to expel puppies due to fetal oversize, which can prolong the birth process and lead to stillbirth or an increased chance of fading puppy syndrome. Additionally, puppies are vulnerable to fading puppy syndrome if the mother fails to care for and nurse them or has poor milk quality.

Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature or receive nourishment independently, so they rely on the mother for survival. Nutrients in the mother's milk help build puppies' immune systems, but an abnormal teat discharge or mammary gland infection in the mother can inhibit puppies from developing immunity.

Other threats such as viruses, infections and parasites can also increase the risk of fading puppy syndrome because newborn puppies' immune systems are underdeveloped. Puppies can contract an infection from the mother if she is unvaccinated or carrying a virus such as canine parvovirus, distemper or adenovirus. Some puppies are also born with birth defects that can lead to death if left undetected.

Fading Puppy Syndrome Signs & Symptoms

Fading puppy syndrome is difficult to detect because most symptoms appear shortly before death occurs. Most symptoms of early death occur only 24 hours before a puppy dies. Contact a veterinarian if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Low birth weight or no weight gain
• Decreased activity
• Neglect from the mother
• Stomach pain indicated by paddling movements
• Diarrhea or soft stools
• Vomiting
• Continuous crying
• Trouble breathing
• Salivation

If you notice any puppies becoming weaker, losing weight, straying from the litter or expressing discomfort, they may be fading. Fading puppy syndrome can be congenital or infectious. If it's congenital, it means a puppy was born underdeveloped or with a birth defect. If it's infectious, it can be cause for concern because an infection can spread to other puppies in the litter. If you notice any of the above signs or symptoms, seek veterinarian care.

Fading Puppy Syndrome Prevention Tips

Fading puppy syndrome can happen fast and without warning, so prevention is key. Reduce the risk of fading puppy syndrome and keep your newborn puppies healthy with the following precautions:

• Check the mother for vaginal E. coli bacteria before breeding.
• Feed the mother a high-quality diet, but be careful not to over-supplement.
• Provide a clean and adequately sized whelping box to give the puppies enough space for warmth, ventilation and a low risk of being crushed.
• Schedule a veterinary visit following delivery to ensure the mother and puppies are healthy.
• Weigh puppies regularly to ensure they're gaining weight.
• Monitor puppies for signs of chilling or dehydration.
• Follow your veterinarian's instructions for giving de-wormers.
• Avoid giving mothers antibiotics directly before or after labor, unless directed to by a veterinarian.

Monitor puppies regularly to make sure they maintain healthy weight gain, receive milk and care from the mother and are not too cold or dehydrated. A puppy's skin over their shoulder blades will not immediately spring back if they are dehydrated, so seek veterinary care if you notice this sign. Puppies can become too cold if the mother is not providing enough warmth, so it's important to prevent puppies from chilling.

Make sure both the mother and father have all necessary vaccinations to prevent viruses and infections, and keep whelping boxes clean to prevent bacteria. Responsible breeding is important, so make sure to stop breeding a female dog if she produces several puppies who develop fading puppy syndrome.

Care for Puppies With Fading Puppy Syndrome

If you suspect fading puppy syndrome, take your puppy to the vet immediately. A veterinarian can administer fluids, help regulate their body temperature and give them proper medication if bacteria or a virus could be at fault. Be sure to bring the puppy's mother in for an examination to ensure that she has no illness or infection.

If you suffer losing a puppy and have the rest of the litter at home, you can minimize the risk to the other puppies by ordering an autopsy on the deceased pup to determine if other littermates could require treatment.

Seek Care at NOVA Pets Health Center

Fading puppy syndrome can occur quickly. Prevent this syndrome with preventative veterinary care at NOVA Pets Health Center. We are a full-service veterinary hospital, and we are passionate about providing quality care for your four-legged friends. Schedule an appointment to maintain your furry family member's health and help them live a long, healthy life. Know that NOVA Pets Health Center is here for you and your beloved pets if you need us.

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