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• Method 1 of 3: Identify common symptoms of health problems in newborn puppies
• Method 2 of 3: Recognize the symptoms of an infection
• Method 3 of 3: Noticing other problems

Newborn puppies are very vulnerable and susceptible to many health problems. However, if you know what to look out for, you should be able to spot changes in your puppy's health. There are several common symptoms that can indicate a serious health problem, such as increased crying, weight loss, and decreased appetite. If your puppies are vomiting, running a fever, or having difficulty breathing, they are likely to be infected. Furthermore, recognizing other problems, such as birth defects or genetic disorders, can help you underline your puppies' current and future health problems. If you notice that your puppies are experiencing any health problems, make sure to contact the vet immediately.

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Method 1 of 3: Identify common symptoms of health problems in newborn puppies

1. Notice more whining and squeaking. Healthy newborn puppies should whine very little. They should spend most of their time sleeping and eating. If you notice your puppy howling or wheezing frequently, take him to the vet.
   • More frequent whining is a common symptom of most neonatal problems. If a puppy is whimpering, it may be overheating, getting sick, in pain, or not getting enough food.
2. Watch for loss of appetite. Puppies often drink in a day. If you notice that one of the puppies is not drinking regularly, it could be a symptom of a bigger problem. The puppy may be sick, have digestive problems or not get a chance to drink properly. Make sure to go to the vet if you notice any of your puppies drinking less.
   • This can also be a symptom of hypothermia. Puppies less than six days old cannot shiver and cannot properly regulate their body temperature. A puppy suffering from hypothermia cannot drink or digest its food. You can help him by placing a heat lamp above the whelping box.
   • The mother dog releases her first milk, the colostrum, right after the puppies are born. This milk is thicker than normal milk and is full of antibodies that provide passive immunity. It is very important that all puppies in the litter drink this milk to stay healthy and grow.
3. Watch for weight loss. Depending on the breed, a healthy newborn puppy should weigh 120 to 635 grams. In its first few weighs, a healthy puppy should put on five to 10 percent of its birth weight every day. Weigh the puppies twice a day and take them to the vet if they are not gaining weight or are losing weight. Failure to gain or lose weight can be a symptom of malnutrition, infection, or a birth defect, such as hypoglycaemia.
   • Make sure to discuss with your vet what healthy weight gain should look like for your puppies.
   • Loss of weight can also result from nipple monitoring by larger puppies in the litter.
4. Recognize a change in sleep patterns. When not drinking, newborn puppies should spend most of their time asleep. If you notice that one of your puppies is not sleeping regularly or seems restless, take them to the vet. He may be suffering from an infection or not getting enough nutrients.
   • Make sure to check the newborn puppies every few hours to make sure they are sleeping and eating well.
5. Notice if a puppy is sleeping away from the rest of the litter. A healthy puppy sleeps in a group with its siblings, close to its mother. This helps the puppies to regulate their body temperature and makes feeding easier. However, if a puppy is sleeping away from the rest of the group, it is likely that the mother pushed it away for some reason. This puppy may have a birth defect, or the mother does not have enough milk to feed all the puppies and has decided to give up one puppy to save the rest of the litter.
   • If a puppy is separated from the litter, have it examined by the vet. He may have a birth defect that will limit his quality of life. If so, the vet may suggest putting the puppy to sleep.
   • If the mother cannot feed all the puppies, you may be able to feed the puppy yourself.
6. Watch the mother's behavior. Often times, deteriorating puppy health is the result of the mother's actions. Maternal neglect is a common cause of health problems in newborn puppies. The mother may not lie with her puppies to warm them up. It is also possible that she refuses to let the puppies drink or that she does not have enough milk for all puppies. Larger breeds of dogs sometimes accidentally step on their pups, or choke them with their large bodies.
   • If you find that the mother is unable to take care of her puppies, or if she doesn't want to, you should remove them and take care of them yourself.

Method 2 of 3: Recognize the symptoms of an infection

1. Watch for diarrhea and vomiting. If your puppies have a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, the puppies will have diarrhea and vomiting. This is a common symptom of most types of infections, especially the canine herpes virus, parvovirus, and intestinal parasites. Make sure to go to the vet immediately if your puppies have diarrhea or vomiting.
   • There is a high mortality rate for puppies suffering from the canine herpes virus and parvovirus.
   • The parvovirus has a characteristic odor, which most owners find very unpleasant. Dogs with the parvovirus have blood in their diarrhea. Parvovirus is highly contagious, so call your vet right away if you suspect a puppy has it.
2. Check for fever. If your newborn puppies have an infection, they will also have a fever. A healthy body temperature for dogs is between 37.5 and 39.2 degrees Celsius, with anything above 39.7 degrees Celsius considered a fever. You can take the temperature of the puppies rectally. An ear thermometer can also be used, but that method is less reliable.
3. Watch for any breathing problems. A common symptom of many infections is sneezing, coughing, or discharge from the eyes. These symptoms indicate an infection causing difficulty in breathing. If your puppy shows breathing problems, take him to the vet right away.
   • Difficulty breathing can be a symptom of Carré's disease or kennel cough.

Method 3 of 3: Noticing other problems

1. Recognize physical birth defects. Some newborn puppies have abnormalities in their skull, heart, mouth or anus. Examples include an open palate, malformed spine and missing limbs. Certain abnormalities can make it difficult to drink properly or be overall healthy. Sometimes a puppy is born with a closed anus, which means he can't defecate. Certain abnormalities can make it difficult for them to nurse properly or generally be healthy. Check each puppy's anus to make sure the puppy has a normal shape. If not, take the puppy to the vet for surgical correction as soon as possible. Birth defects can also cause the mother to reject or even kill the puppies.
   • Make sure to discuss with your vet the best steps to take for puppies with birth defects.
   • If your puppy has a heart defect, he may have difficulty gaining weight and breathing, and may be overall lethargic. Certain abnormalities can be treated if recognized early.
2. Be on the lookout for birth defects. Newborn puppies often suffer from genetic disorders. These can range from cognitive problems to metabolic complications that severely limit the puppies' quality of life. A puppy suffering from a genetic disorder is likely to have difficulty feeding and gaining weight. However, he may also display behavioral problems such as aggression or isolation from the group. Make sure to discuss with your vet what to do for puppies with a genetic abnormality.
   • For example, newborn puppies can sometimes develop hypoglycemia, a genetic disorder that is particularly common in small breeds. This abnormality makes it difficult for the puppy to develop and maintain proper weight.
   • Furthermore, newborn puppies should open their eyes seven to ten days after birth, their ears should open about two weeks after birth, and their teeth should come through the third week after birth.
3. Check for complications from environmental conditions. Newborn puppies are very susceptible to environmental factors such as toxins and temperature changes. Since they cannot regulate their body temperature, they are susceptible to hypo- and hyperthermia. Chemicals and toxins in their litter or nearby environment can harm puppies by poisoning them and affecting their health. If your puppy has trouble feeding and gaining weight and whines a lot, he may be experiencing environmental complications.
   • Newborn puppies' skin is thin and absorbs chemicals from the surrounding environment. This can result in flaky or dry skin and hair loss. Make sure to wash all cloths for your puppies with mild detergent that does not leave any odor.
   • Make sure to place your dog's whelping box in a climate-controlled area to avoid extreme temperature changes.