Contributory factors to neonatal survival include the dam condition prepartum, occurrence of dystocia, technique of neonatal resuscitation, low birth weight, congenital malformations, genetic defects, injury, suboptimal environmental exposure, malnutrition, parasitism and infectious disease. After resuscitation or within the first 24 hours of a natural delivery, a complete physical examination with vital signs should be performed to determine normalcy. Proper husbandry is critical and should include daily examination of each neonate for vigor and recording of weight, with earliest detection of problems desirable. Neonatal bacterial septicemia can cause rapid deterioration resulting in death if not recognized and treated promptly. Steps to reduce its liklihood will be outlined. Canine herpes virus is a commonly blamed cause for fading puppy syndrome resulting in neonatal death. Until recently, treatment of CHV infection in neonates has been reported to be unrewarding, with recovery suspected to be associated with residual cardiac and neurologic damage. Successful treatment with the antiviral agentacyclovir (Zovirax [Novopharm]) has now been reported

Sponsor:Assistance Dogs International
Speaker(s):Autumn Davidson, DVM, MS, DACVM

Contact: Chris Diefenthaler
 Email: chris@assistancedogsinternational.org
 Phone: 419-350-5788
 Web: https://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/