Neonatal mortality in dogs in a veterinary hospital in Brazil

Cristiane Ferreira Da Luz Brun,Natalie Bertelis Merlini,Salviano Tramontim Belettini,Ana Maria Quessada,Arthur Venicius Sbaraini Leitzke,João Moreira Da Costa Neto,Giuliana Cavalcanti Dos Santos,Filipi Alexandre Do Nascimento Silva,Marcelo Campos Rodrigues,Pollyana Linhares Sala,Talita Bianchin Borges,Jaqueline Lustosa Rodrigues Camapum,Dérick De Almeida Marchi,Luan Vinicius Tezzei Maia

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i14.21610

Abstract

Neonatology (the study of newborns) remains a little-explored specialty in medical clinics treating dogs. Therefore, neonatal mortality in dogs is high, and there is a lack of data on the subject in Brazil. The objective of this study was to record the neonatal mortality rate in dogs being treated at a Teaching Veterinary Hospital. We analyzed 69 (35 female and 34 male) newborn puppies born to 17 female dogs. The majority of the female dogs (94%; 16/17) and had dystocic parturition. Of the 69 puppies, only 30 (43.47%) survived the first 24 hours after birth. Based on these numbers, the neonatal mortality was considerably high at 56.52% (39/69), probably due to hypoxia that is known to be common in neonates with dystocic births. Given the above, it is concluded that assisted reproduction and prenatal examinations should be encouraged to reduce neonatal mortality in dogs.

Highlights

The neonatal period in dogs and cats corresponds to 30 days and is characterized by a critical period of adaptation of organic systems to the new environment. (Lourenço; Machado, 2013).Neonatology remains a little-explored specialty in medical clinics treating dogs and cats (Domingos et al, 2008)
If the newborn does not gain weight, due to difficulty in breastfeeding or reduced mother's milk in the first two weeks of life, artificial feeding is recommended, so that death does not occur (Barreto, 2003; Domingos et al, 2008)
The objective of this work was to register the mortality rate of newborn dogs in a veterinary service, since these numbers are scarce in the Brazilian literature

Summary

Introduction

The neonatal period in dogs and cats corresponds to 30 days and is characterized by a critical period of adaptation of organic systems to the new environment. (Lourenço; Machado, 2013).Neonatology (the study of newborns) remains a little-explored specialty in medical clinics treating dogs and cats (Domingos et al, 2008). The neonatal period in dogs and cats corresponds to 30 days and is characterized by a critical period of adaptation of organic systems to the new environment. Neonatal mortality among these animals is high (Domingos et al, 2008; Mila et al, 2015), and the knowledge deficiency in this area is quite evident, especially in Brazil (Domingos et al, 2008). One of the most important factors involved in mortality is the nutritional factor (Mila et al, 2015). Vigor assessment and rapid intervention, with regard to resuscitation, are essential to reduce mortality (Lourenço; Machado, 2013)

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Conclusion