Sometimes you may have to assist the mother while she is giving birth. Puppies are usually delivered head first in a diving position while some are born tail and hind legs first. If the mother is having a hard time with the delivery, you can help her by gently pulling out the exposed puppy as she restrains. However, if only the legs are out, call the vet immediately for advice. If the mother does not lick the newborn puppy, you will need to remove the membrane from his face and clear the fluid from his nose and mouth. Rub the newborn puppy vigorously with a towel in order to stimulate his first breath. Do not handle the newborn puppy more than what is necessary.

Helping a weak puppy after delivery

Once the puppy has been cleaned, check to make sure that he is breathing properly. If he looks normal but appears weak or lifeless, gently but firmly massage him with a towel, particularly around the head and the chest. A puppy that stays in the birth canal for a long period of time results in a lack of oxygen to the brain.

If he is still not breathing after you are finished rubbing him with a towel, suspend him by his hind legs for a few seconds to allow the fluids to drain from the air passages. Gently shake him while keeping a secure grip on his hind legs. This should stimulate him to start breathing. Once the puppy is breathing, keep him warm and comfortable by wrapping him in a towel until the mother has finished giving birth. When the whelping has finished, show the weak puppy to his mother and make sure that he finds a productive nipple. Observe him for a few days to ensure that he is not bullied by stronger puppies in the litter.

The mother normally chews through the umbilical cord. If she does not, you can tie off the cord using a thread about 2 inches from the puppy’s belly and then cut it on the opposite side of the knot, away from the puppy. Be very careful when doing this and do not pull on the umbilical cord.

Sometimes the mother may reject the puppy if it is taken away. In this case, bring the puppy to her and allow her to lick him and then place him where he can suckle.

During an emergency or an accident, you can reduce your dog’s immediate pain and discomfort or even save his life with prompt, immediate action. You need to always be prepared for such accidents and emergencies such as burns, seizures, and gastric torsion.

Scalds and burns: Your dog’s coat provides warmth and protection to his skin, but hot oil, hot water, and irritating chemicals can seep through the hair and cause skin damage. Most burns are caused by boiling water or oil. To treat a minor burn, apply cold water immediately to the affected area and then follow it with an icepack. When the affected area has been cooled, apply an antiseptic skin cream. Try to keep the wound clean and then call the vet for further instructions. Do not apply ointment to serious burns and take your dog to the vet immediately.

Chemical burns: When treating a chemical burn, wash off any caustic chemicals from the coat with warm, soapy water. Call the vet for further advice. Wash the dog’s coat thoroughly to keep him from licking and ingesting the chemicals. Do not apply anything to your dog’s coat that you would not put on your own skin.

Electrical burns: Chewing an electrical cord poses a serious threat to your dog. It can burn his mouth or cause unconsciousness and cardiac arrest. You need to hide and secure all electrical cords, especially from puppies and unplug electrical appliances when not in use. If you catch your dog chewing an electrical cord, Use the command “drop it!” and pull out the plug. If your dog gets a minor electric shock, check the inside of his mouth and lips for signs of burns. If you see any, immediately flush them with cool water. Take the dog to the vet as soon as possible. Switch off the electricity before touching the dog that has suffered a major electric shock and contact the vet right away.

Seizures: Seizures vary from mild behavioral quirks like suddenly snapping at what seems like a nonexistent fly to a more serious convulsion with back arching and salivation. During a seizure, your dog will convulse and may pass out. When treating this condition, make the dog comfortable. Reduce the lighting and eliminate all noise. Clear his airway and make sure that his tongue is not blocking the throat. Be careful not to get bitten and contact a vet immediately.

Gastric torsion: Another emergency occurs when a dog’s stomach twists on itself, which causes bloat. Gastric torsion occurs when gas builds up in the stomach and cannot escape. Dogs that are deep-chested risk twisting their stomachs if they play right after a heavy meal. Aside from bloating, the dog is lethargic and pants heavily. This critical condition leads to collapse and fatal shock without immediate veterinary care. It is a situation where a few minutes can make the difference between life and death. The dog will die if immediate action is not taken.

1. Your veterinarian is one of the most important people in your dog’s life. You should choose your veterinarian just as you select your own doctor, by reputation and quality of service. You and your dog should feel at ease with this professional. You need to feel that you can trust your veterinarian, especially in an emergency situation.

2. Be sure that you have stated your own goals and your intentions with your dog so that your veterinarian can know what you are expecting. Your dog’s health depends on your being able to work together with your vet.

3. When you have a puppy, you will be visiting your vet many times during the first year. After that, establish a routine by visiting every six months for fecal and physical examinations and once a year for a complete work up, including blood tests. Use this as a preventative measure. Dog’s cannot tell you where it hurts or if they are not feeling very well. Preventative medicine can put years on your dog’s life.

4. When having blood work done, make sure that your dog has fasted at least 12 hours before the test.

5. Blood work and urinalysis need to be handled very carefully. In some of the tests, there is a time factor involved.

6. Some differences in clinical chemistries exist between breeds. German Shepherd Dogs, for example, tend to be lower than other breeds in glucose, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, BUN, and uric acid. Their amylase and transaminase may be higher. Phosphorus and SGPT were found to be higher in Beagles and Labrador Retrievers.

7. Your best guide is the comparison of your own dog’s test results. Establish what is normal and be sure that the tests are run always using the same laboratory.

8. If you have made the decision to change your dog’s diet from commercial dog food to a natural diet, have blood drawn before you change. You should have a CBC, a chemistry screen or profile and also a fecal analysis done. One month after putting your dog on the new diet, have the same tests run. This will give you a basis for comparison. Changing to a natural diet often puts a dog who had health problems back into balance.