Management of Low Birth Weight in Canine and Feline Species: Breeder Profiling

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) has been identified as a major risk factor for neonatal mortality in many species. The aim of this survey was to determine the profiles of canine and feline breeders concerning their perceptions of, and management practices relating to, LBW individuals. An anonymous online survey was addressed to French cat and dog breeders in September 2019 via social networks. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering were used to explore breeders’ profiles. Three clusters were identified among the 649 breeders included in this analysis. Cluster 1 (49%) included dog and cat breeders who weighed newborns (and thus identified LBW) and controlled nursing by the dam (controlled suckling) but did not warm them up. Cluster 2 breeders (21%) of both species did not weigh puppies or kittens to identify LBW or to monitor the evolution of their weight afterwards. Cluster 3 (30%) including mostly cat breeders who weighed neonates routinely as in Cluster 1, but they practiced artificial feeding rather than controlled suckling. This survey provides a basis for better understanding of perceptions and practices regarding LBW puppies and kittens. It will be useful to provide guidelines for neonatal management to increase their chances of survival.

The Application of Nurse Stratified Management in Nursing Management

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Strategies for Hypothermia Compensation in Altricial and Precocial Newborn Mammals and Their Monitoring by Infrared Thermography

“…Although it is said that the nutritional properties of colostrum and milk are similar during the first days of life, the energy value of colostrum can be 20–30% higher than the values registered after three days or two weeks [ 105 ]. Additionally, colostrum intake and glucose absorption prevent hypoglycemia due to the low fat and glycogen storage in newborns [ 106 ], maintaining normal glucose levels that can support thermogenesis [ 107 ]. For example, in calves, colostrum provides large amounts of glucose and amino acids, equivalent to 6.7 MJ/g, that can be used to produce heat [ 29 , 108 ].…”

Growth of Australian Cattle Dog puppies in the neonatal period and its relation to birth and parent weight and litter size

“…Although dogs can also be grouped by size, it is possible to observe significant differences in puppies' birth weights (Mugnier et al, 2019) The registration, identification and control of risk factors are essential for the full reproductive success of purebred dogs. Low birth weight is recognized as a risk factor in the neonatal period (INDREBO et al, 2007;GROPETTI et al, 2017;MUGNIER et al, 2021) with an inverse relationship between litter size and average pup weight in animals politocic (SCHELLIN et al, 2019). Alves (2020) points out that even in the same litter, puppies with heterogenous weights can be observed.…”