Fading Puppy Syndrome
The first few weeks of the life of a puppy are crucial. Puppies are weak and they completely depend on their mother for nutrition, care and love. Puppies that do not make it through the first few weeks are afflicted with what is commonly known as "fading puppy syndrome" and are generally called "faders." About twenty to forty percent of all puppies born don't make it past 12 weeks of age. Causes of puppy death in the first 12 weeks of age are generally related to problems developed while in the uterus of the mother, problems associated with the whole birth process or problems at or around the time of weaning. Diagnosing Fading Puppy Syndrome: Puppies that do not live to be at least 12 weeks of age are generally diagnosed with fading puppy syndrome. These puppies can slowly deteriorate, stop nursing, and become extremely weak and thin. The exact cause of the fading puppy is usually not determined. If more than 20 percent of the litter is affected, taking a puppy that has recently died to the veterinarian to be examined can help determine the cause o f death, and it may be helpful in preventing loss of additional puppies.Treatment: Tracking down the cause of the fading puppy syndrome helps to determine if any treatment is possible. Birth defects and serious traumas are difficult to treat with a good result. Bacterial and viral infections can be treated, and with aggressive care, some of these puppies can make it through the whole ordeal. Expect your veterinarian to recommend hospitalization, injections, antibiotics and assisted feedings. If the puppy does not make it, it is advisable to have the corpse examined in order to determine the cause.. Home Care: It is important to detect fading puppy syndrome at an early stage. Exhaustive exams at the time of birth to detect any developmental defects are also important. Weighing the puppies on a daily basis is also crucial in monitoring their development. Make sure the bitch is fed an extremely high quality pregnancy diet and then a high quality nursing diet. Monitor the puppies closely for signs of trauma, cannibalism, weakness or neglect. It is very important that a veterinarian check any and all puppies that are suspected to be in this case. Preventative Care: Naturally, it is unavoidable to lose a Certain numbers of puppies. However, feeding the bitch a high quality pregnancy diet and keeping her quite and calm can help. If you detect early signs of fading puppy syndrome, you can reduce the number of puppy deaths by promptly going to a veterinarian. | 
