My dog's newborn puppy isn't breathing or moving. Is it dead?

If the puppy is deceased then there is little to no chance of regaining a heart beat. If the pup has a heart beat but not breathing then gently blowing breaths into the nose / mouth may stimulate breathing. Also using a nasal aspirater to suction any fluids from the mouth and pharynx can be helpful. Of course taking the pup to a veterinarian immediately would be it’s best chance of survival, but the chances are still very low. I’m sorry you are going through this. Take care and thank you for using Pet Coach.

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.

Hi, so sorry to hear that the puppy is not doing well. If the puppy is cold to the touch try to warm him or her with a blanket and make sure the airway is clear by gently opening the mouth. In some cases, we have to use a bulb syringe to remove saliva or secretions from the airway. Then attempt to get the puppy to nurse. If the puppy fails to show interest in nursing you should purchase a baby bottle and formula (Esbilac) and attempt to feed every 2 hours using. Also, stimulate the puppy to urinate and defecate by gently wiping the anus with a warm wet washcloth. If the puppy fails to show signs of improvement contact your veterinarian.

Considering the description of the problem you gave, the chances of the puppy being alive are very poor. An ultrasound examination could confirm that easily, so I would strongly recommend an immediate check u at your local veterinarian. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This is a medical emergency, and Girly needs to see a vet now. It's quite serious that she's not moving, and she could have been seriously injured or may have be extremely ill. She needs to be evaluated by a vet now, so please take her into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her right away.

I am so sorry. I know that must be hard. Unfortunately, without a necropsy (autopsy), I can't tell you what could have happened. Many causes of sudden death in pediatric pets is due to a congenital heart disease.

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately there is not a whole lot that can be done for this at home until it is seen by your veterinarian, but keep the puppy warm and make sure it has access to mom's milk. Also if fluids haven't been cleared out quite enough after birth, you may use a bulb syringe to help suck out fluid from the puppy's nose and mouth. I hope this helps and best of luck with Lulu!