Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My newborn puppies are dying and turning blue. How can I save them?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dalmatian | Female | 3 years and 6 months old | 13 lbs

3 of 5 newborn puppies died today.they were in goog health . One of their skin became blue. And the other two could'nt understand. Doc says during first pregnancy of dog it happens but i'm not satisfied with. Remaining two are having milk and we are trying our best to keep them warm. Anything else we can do to save puppy ?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 1st, 2017

Poor puppies. It is hard to say what exactly was the underlying problem but these puppies undoubtedly suffered from fading puppy syndrome. Fading puppy syndrome affects puppies during the first 2 weeks of life and can be caused by a multitude of things including: cleft palate, infection, pneumonia, or other congenital abnormalities to their physical structures. on average we see about a 30% loss of life and puppies during the first two weeks. Although in your case this % is much higher. I don't know what you mean by your statement "the other two couldn't understand"?
Unfortunately in most of these situations the puppies cannot be saved despite our best efforts. However you can do your part to give them the best chance of survival, by:
1) Providing warmth but don't overheat
2) Feed every 2 hrs if mama dog isn't nursing well
3) Stimulate to pee and poop every 2 hrs if mama dog isn't doing so
4) Get puppies checked out by the vet if any aren't eating well, appear blue in color (means not getting enough oxygen) or are not active (good energy level).
Here is an excellent resource website to help guide you along the way. Hopefully you won't lose any more puppies from this litter and they all grow up to be happy healthy dogs. Best wishes!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My husky puppies are dying, is it fading puppy syndrome? Will others survive?

I'm so sorry you lost two puppies! Yes, it is entirely possible that these puppies died from fading puppy syndrome, but it doesn't mean the the other two puppies will die as well. I will put a link below to a website that gives more information about fading puppy syndrome. Keep bottle feeding them for now, and start to slowly switch them over to puppy food completely. They should be fully weaned in around two weeks. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/puppy-fading-puppy-syndrome-in-dogs

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why are my newborn puppies' stomachs purple and bloated? Are they dying?

If all the puppies are affected and some are dying, it would be best to seek veterinary care in person immediately. It is possible they have all contracted something, have an illness or injury, or some other issue going on which needs to be seen and treated by a vet ASAP, especially if they are in visible pain, not thriving, turning blue or purple or are passing away.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My newborn puppy isn't breathing. What should I do to resuscitate?

Sometimes the mother will reject puppies that she feels won't make it, and in a large litter with such a small breed dog I would not be surprised if some of the pups just weren't viable. Your best bet in the future is to make sure the puppies are kept well-warmed - a heat lamp is good for this - and also watch the mom closely, especially in the first few days, to make sure that her mothering instincts are taking over and she's not trying to sit on any of the puppies. If you find some of them unresponsive, wrap them in a warm towel and try stimulating them by vigorous rubbing. You can also gently blow into their mouths, and use a bulb syringe to suction any accumulated mucous from the airway.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my 4-week-old puppies weak, raspy, seizing, and dying?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry!! It is very hard when puppies are this young. The most common cause of illness and death in puppies are infections and congenital issues. Common infections that can affect the respiratory system and or the neurologic system are: Herpes, distemper, bordatella, influenza. Sadly I recommend doing special testing on the next puppy that dies to find out the cause. I would request PCR swabs to send off for a respiratory panel and biopsy any abnormal tissues on autopsy. Sometime we can not save them when we do not know what the disease is. If you can not get to the Vet in town go to a specialist or local Veterinary school. It is important to know what is going on. I hope this helps and I am very sorry this is happening. I suggest that the 3 currently ill puppies be seen at a more specialized hospital. I wish you the best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my bottle-fed puppies dying, gasping, and bleeding?

Good work bottle feeding these puppies, it is very labor intensive. I'm sorry to hear about the deaths of these puppies. The most common reason puppies that are bottle fed die is aspiration of the milk, which means they inhale some of the milks and it gets into their lungs. If there is blood coming out of it's mouth, you should take the puppy to a vet for antibiotics. Any remaining puppies should be fed very slowly, in an upright position to try to prevent aspiration. It is also possible that there is a illness that effecting the entire litter. I would take all remaining puppies to the vet to have them checked out to see if there is something contagious. Bottle feeding puppies is very difficult, not all of them make it. I hope this helps, good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my puppies dying one by one? Is it fading puppy syndrome?

No, that's not common. Puppies can suffer from fading puppy syndrome, but to have all of them is not usual. It suggest something is wrong. Have Chloe and her remaining puppies checked out by a vet immediately.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My newborn puppy is weak, cold, and won't feed from mom or bottle.

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. First step is to warm him up. A Heating pad set on low with the cloth cover on will work. Other types of warm packs are ok too as long as there is a towel/cloth between the heat source and the pup. Keep heating until a rectal temp of 99 is achieved. Meanwhile, rub a small amount of white karo syrup or honey on his gums to help with low blood sugar. Between these two things he will hopefully perk up within 10-20 minutes enough to take the bottle/teat. Then feed as often as he cries. DO NOT try to syringe or force food until you are sure he is swallowing well as this can cause pneumonia if he accidentally inhales a little. Side note: I know it's silly, but be sure that you have poked a hole in the nipple of the bottle (many come with no opening which is weird). Sometimes, despite these efforts, a puppy will not respond and you will need to see the emergency vet for IV bloodsugar and fluids, etc. Even then, we sometimes cannot save them and they do pass. Many times these are the runts of the liver or we suspect there is something else going on (born with a congenital organ problem). Hope this helps and best of luck to you and the baby!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share