Neonates

                                                                       Neonates

                      5 Tips on Caring for the Neonate   

1) Know what is normal, so you can determine what isn’t normal.

2) The most common problem affecting sick neonates is the result of inadequate husbandry.

3) Weight is a good indicator of health

4) Early initiation of treatment is essential.

5) The 3 most common interrelated problems to look for are hypothermia, hypoglycemia and septicemia.

                     Puppies and kittens are like small adults when they reach 6 weeks of age. However the first 4 weeks of their lives they are immature in most aspects. The normal temperature for a newborn is 97 degrees, while for an adult animal it can be 100- 102.5 degrees normally. The neuralgic system is not fully developed, as well as their kidneys.

                     Neonates should not be left in an environment that is too cold. The most common cause of death in neonates is hypothermia. The mother of the puppies or kittens huddles with them to keep warm with body heat. It is possible for them to survive in a cold atmosphere, but there needs to be a good source of heat. You may think the temperature in your home is comfortable to you, but puppies and kittens need to be kept at 90 degrees. This can be tricky though because heating blankets and pads can cause burns, so we must be careful. A safe way to keep them warm is to put them in a box big enough so that they can be in one end, and the heat source in the other end. This way they can choose where they will be most comfortable. You can also place a thermometer in there to monitor the temperature. A simple way to tell if the temperature is not right is if all the pups or kittens are huddled together on the heating pad. This means that the temperature is not warm enough for them.

                   Kittens and puppies can be weighed on a gram scale weekly. Their weight should double every 10 days on average. If they are being fed formula it may double every 14 days.

                   The management of ill neonates is very important. Neonates seem to spiral downhill fast if they become ill. If a pup or kitten seems ill, it should be brought into the veterinarian as soon as possible. Since time is essential, owners should have guidelines of when to contact the veterinarian. For example if a puppy or kitten is crying for more than 20 minutes in the presence of his/her mother, then they should be examined. They should also be nursing well. If not a veterinarian should see them also.