Labor and Whelping  
Some Obstetric Difficulties  
The Newborn Pups  
Eclampsia  
Hand-Rearing the Pups  
General Care of the Pups  

GENERAL CARE OF THE PUPS

The bitch will usually take care of the newborn pup's immediate needs, such as stimulating him to evacuate and then cleaning up afterwards. If she doesn't do it—or in the absence of a mother—you will have to perform these functions. Dip some absorbent cotton into warm water and massage the pup's abdomen. This will stimulate the pup to have a movement. Wipe the pup clean after the bowel movement.

Grooming the very young pups should be kept to a minimum. Wash any soiled eyes with warm water or boric-acid solution. Trim any sharp nails. You can rub baby oil on the pups' bodies once or twice a week. But, in general, don't fuss with the pups; it's more important for them to eat and sleep.

Pups reared without access to colostrum-milk will be protected about one week against distemper. This immunity is passed to them while they were in the uterus. Pups receiving colostrum-milk will be immune for a longer period, of course. Therefore, it's important that the hand-reared pups receive a live-virus distemper injection at two weeks of age.

A final note of caution: the bitch will be very protective about her pups. Very small children and strangers should not be allowed to come too close to the bitch and pups. The instinct to protect her pups is very powerful and she may misinterpret a move and attack a child or stranger. And she'll do this even though she and the children have been great friends. So, use good judgment; keep the children and strangers away —at least until the bitch shows that she doesn't mind having spectators.