Premature puppies

• A premature puppy is one that has been born before time. The main characteristics are that the puppy weighs less, is the smaller, weaker and has less suction reflexes. Besides, the digestive system is very immature and in most cases not able to digest the breast milk of the mother. When faced with such puppies it's important to take the following measures in order to improve their health:
• Raise the room temperature and make the room a bit humid in order to avoid dehydration.
• Feed the puppy by means of a catheter.
• The first few days you have to administer only glucose in order to strengthen the body.
• After the first week of life, you can administer motherly milk (not his mother is own breast milk). Once you notice his ability to suck improves, then you can let him breast-feed.
• A premature puppy must stay by the side of his mother as long as possible, as long as she does not refuse him.
• Due to the animal's weakness and lack of muscular tone during the first days of life, he might scratch the skin of his front legs when he tries to drag himself around. However, this is not a problem and it will disappear after a couple of days without any need of treatment.