It’s sleeping time! You are lying in bed waiting for sleep to carry you away to dreamland. Your eyelids become heavy and you are on the verge of nodding off. Rover lets out a big snore and you almost jump out of your skin. So much for getting a good night’s rest.
This scenario is a lot more common than you may think of. Most dogs do snore at least occasionally. Unfortunately, some puppies are able to rival the most adept of human snorers. Puppies and adult dogs snore for the same reasons that people do. The cause is that something is blocking the dog’s upper airways. Although canine snoring does not necessarily mean there are serious health issues, it can be irritating.
What are the conditions that have might affect your puppy’s snoring habit? Like humans, obesity is one of the most common reasons your puppy snores. The extra weight pushes on the airways, partially blocking the flow of air. You can determine if your puppy is overweight by looking down on him or her from above. If you cannot detect a waist, your puppy is overweight. Snoring caused by obesity can be corrected. Talk to the puppy’s veterinarian about a good diet and exercise regiment. Losing a few pounds can have a big effect on your puppy’s snoring frequency.
Some canine breeds are more prone to snoring than others. When it comes to snoring noses, dog’s breeds such as Pekinese, pugs and Boston terriers tend to lead the band. This is because they are more prone to nasal infections. It is rare to find flat-faced dogs that do not snore. A cold or allergies can cause puppies to snore, this is the cause of nasal congestion. Mucus plugs the airways, causing the dog to snore. This type of snoring usually stops when the cold is kicked or the allergies are identified and treated.
You could also be the reason or the cause your puppy snores, if you smoke cigarettes or cigar. Tobacco smoke is definitely an irritant to humans and canines alike. If you smoke and your snoring puppy keeps you awake, consider quitting or smoking outdoors only.
Dogs that are on tranquilizers or painkillers may snore even though it isn’t in their normal repertoire of tricks. This is because the medications cause the puppy’s muscles to relax to a degree where they press and partially block the dog’s airways.
Alcohol is another factor that can cause puppies to snore. As with humans, their bodies become very relaxed and the noise begins. Alcohol should not be given to dogs of any age. Watch to make sure your friends don’t offer intoxicating beverages behind your back. If your puppy snores, discuss the situation with the dog’s vet. It is wise to let the vet examine the dog to rule out tumors and cysts that can grow and block airways.
As with humans, snoring usually increases if the puppy is lying on his or her back. If the snoring is chronic, try giving the puppy a round bed that just fits his or her girth. This will cause the dog to curl up to sleep rather than stretch out on his or her back. Some dogs will snore no matter what you do and unfortunately, sometimes there is simply no solution.
"It Could Be Something He Ate - Or It could Be A Lot More Serious!"
You will already know the problem of dog bad breath. Your concern for your pet dog is well founded. The worry is that it could simply be bad dog breath OR it could be an indication that your favorite pet is unwell and needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
You will know here the possibilities why your dog has bad breath. Your concern about your pet’s hygiene is very important because this may indicate to any health problem. The worry is that it could simply be bad dog breath OR it could be an indication that your favorite pet is unwell and needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
Indications of bad breath in a dog could be the signs of
• Heart Disease
• Joint Disease
• Kidney Failure
• Digestive Disturbances
• And even worse - The death of your dog
You must take seriously your dog’s bad breath. It can be such a disappointment to discover that through no fault of his/her own your dog has a serious breath problem. But you want to help solve the problem as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Puppies are totally dependent on their mommies for quite some time, but sometimes, she is unable to be a real mom to them. This is the moment for you, as their master, to step up and assume the mommy role!
It can be time-consuming and frustrating, as well as exhausting to take care of newborn puppies.
Newborn puppies should be kept constantly warm and their feeding schedule always on time. They should always be clean, as well as their environment.
If you do everything perfectly, you are giving these helpless puppies a chance to experience life further.
Here are some tips and advices that you can follow in taking care of your puppies, especially if it seems like life has handed you the responsibility all too soon.
Environment
You have to keep in mind that puppies are unable to regulate their own temperature yet, so they have to be kept comfortably warm.
You can build a makeshift ‘nest’: ordinary cardboard box with newspaper or paper towels covering the bottom part; the paper towels can easily be replaced with new ones if the puppies soil them. For the first week, you can place the box in a room with at least 90F temperature, and lower it to 85F on the second week, reducing slowly to 70F after four weeks.
A litter of puppies stay warmer faster and longer because they tend to sleep one top of the other, a puppy pile, and they help their brothers and sisters by sharing heat. Conversely, a single puppy will need more heat to survive.
You can put a heating pad or hot water bottle in the box with the puppies, or keep them under a 25watt lightbulb. Make sure, though, that only one part of the box is lighted or heated; the puppies might find them too warm, and they can move away to the other side when it happens.
Since newborn puppies don’t know yet how to regulate their own temperature, they can get either too hot or too cold, which can be really dangerous to them.
You can take their temperature using a rectal thermometer, if needed. A new puppy’s temperature would range from 94F to 98F. Over the next weeks, this figures will rise up to 97F to 100F, and up to 102F when the puppy is a month old.
