The pathological newborn in small animals: the neonate is not a small adult

Abstract

The rate of perinatal death is variable but highest during parturition, immediately after birth and in the first days of life. Infectious diseases, above all bacterial, are the second most important cause of mortality after losses during parturition. A lot of factors are involved predisposing puppies and kittens to bacterial infections: respiratory distress, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, dehydration, congenital abnormalities. E. coli, streptococci and staphylococci, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Proteus sp. and anaerobes are regularly involved in bacterial infections in neonates. Postmortem findings especially document E. coli, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus species as causes of disease and death shortly after birth. The environment and mothers are suspected as sources of infection (vaginal discharge, milk, faeces, oropharynx, skin) for puppies and kittens. Genetic relatedness of bacterial strains in puppies and their mothers was found in staphylococci and E.coli. These results indicate that for repeated cases of bacterial infections in neonates diagnostic procedures of milk, vaginal and faecal swabs from bitches result in isolation of the responsible bacteria with a high probability and suggest that preterm treatment could help to control bacterial diseases and losses in pups.

Vaginal isolation of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus from bitches with and without neonatal deaths in the litters

“…Pup mortality, both during parturition and in the neonatal period, is a common and big problem in kennels, although poorly documented in the veterinary literature (Gill, ; Münnich, ; Tønnessen, Borge, Nødtvedt, & Indrebø, ). Losses of puppies may occur in utero , during expulsion, after birth, in the first weeks of life and after weaning.…”

“…The rate of perinatal death (stillborn puppies and neonates) is highly variable but highest during parturition, immediately after birth and in the first days of life. All together morbidity and mortality range from 5 to 35% (Mosier, ; Münnich, ; Poffenbarger, Chandler, Ralston, & Olson, ; Veronesi, Panzani, Faustini, & Rota, ). Pup mortality has been attributed to a wide variety of causes including dystocia, congenital defects, low birth weight, infectious diseases, trauma and fading puppy syndrome (Gill, ; Mila et al., ).…”

“…The principal cause of pup death was attributed to maternal factors and mothering failure (trauma, excessive licking, lactational failure and cannibalism; Andersen, ; Gill, ). Infectious diseases are the second most important cause of mortality and account for a large proportion of newborn losses (Münnich, ). In this way, infection with bacteria, rather than viruses, is the most common cause of death in the first week of age (Münnich, ; Nielen, van der Gaag, Knol, & Shukken, ).…”

“…Infectious diseases are the second most important cause of mortality and account for a large proportion of newborn losses (Münnich, ). In this way, infection with bacteria, rather than viruses, is the most common cause of death in the first week of age (Münnich, ; Nielen, van der Gaag, Knol, & Shukken, ). However, information on sources of infections in newborn dogs is still limited.…”

“…However, information on sources of infections in newborn dogs is still limited. The environment and mothers are suspected as sources of infection (vaginal discharge, milk, faeces, oropharynx, skin) for puppies (Davidson, ; Münnich & Lübke‐Becker, ), similar to the situation in humans (Münnich, ). When puppies are exposed to bacteria and their defence mechanisms are overwhelmed, severe illness and newborn losses occur (Münnich, ).…”