Do you ever "swing" a puppy that does not start breathing?

[KingstonTodd]

The "swing" is a common procedure for removing liquid from lings of a newborn to start breathing. It could be dangerous. What are the other things you do to initiate breathing (rubbing vigorously, nasal aspiration with a bulb suction).

"Intracranial trauma in a dog due to being "swung" at birth.
Grundy SA, Liu SM, Davidson AP.

VCA Sacramento Animal Medical Group, Carmichael, CA, USA. sophie.grundy@vcamail.com

A male Labrador Retriever neonate presented for evaluation 8 hours after birth because of the onset of generalized seizure activity. The neonate was one of 8 puppies delivered over a 19-hour period to a 4-year-old female Labrador Retriever at an assistance dog breeding colony. Uterine and fetal heart monitoring were performed during the first and second stages of labor; secondary uterine inertia was diagnosed 10 hours after the onset of stage-1 labor. In addition to standard medical therapy, manual assistance was provided for the delivery of all but the second puppy (feathering, pulling, elevating forequarters, abdominal compression). The puppy presented was the third puppy born. At birth, resuscitation efforts were instituted because of a lack of spontaneous breathing and bradycardia. In an effort to remove amniotic fluid from the airways, the puppy was "swung" by an experienced attendee in an arch from mid-abdomen height to knee height while cradled in both hands with the head stabilized. Initial evaluation of the puppy revealed normal blood glucose and no ultrasonographic evidence of hydrocephalus. Because of continued seizure activity, euthanasia and necropsy were elected. At necropsy, there was gross evidence of subdural hematoma formation. Subsequent histopathology of the brain, liver, lung, spleen, small intestine, colon, and kidney revealed subdural and intracerebral hemorrhage. Findings were consistent with high-velocity deceleration trauma ("shaken baby syndrome"). Traditional neonatal resuscitation via "swinging" is a dangerous and potentially lethal practice capable of inducing significant brain trauma in the canine neonate."

[Jac]

Hi Todd, thanks for the article...I have also been told to do this if the pup is not breathing...but I have always found that if I lay the pup on it's side or, worst case, wrap it in a cloth and hold it slightly tipped upside down, it will drain. I have never had to use a suction yet.

[KingstonTodd]

We have had one puppy we had to swing and thankfully everything turned out fine. We tried a few other things and the pup was not breathing. The swing works but you have to do it gently and go just fast enough to get the water out. I see it more of a last resort since even a well trained individual can have it result in injury. If the puppy doesnt clear its lungs it will die, so the swing is better than dieing.

I was hoping some more experienced breeders whould share their alternatives here. How long do you have of a pup not breathing before brain damage starts?

[Jac]

Todd, I have found the most fabulous books for breeders...they answers many of these questions and give soooo much practical advice that it is well worth the price... both by Myra Savant Harris: Canine Reproduction, a Dog Breeder's Guide and Whelping and Puppy Intensive Care, a Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies.

In the second book, she gives clear instructions on giving puppies oxygen! She tells how to use it and how to set it up prior to whelping...even how to make a mask out of a Dixie Cup!

She says, " Sometimes puppies come out crying, crawling around and "pinking up" immediately. Other times, they are dusky (bluish in color) lethargic, limp, gasping and in need of more help. The help they need is oxygen..."

She gives a lot of info...and the book comes with a DVD too. It is fairly expenxive for such a small sized book, but every paragraph is valuable...there are no wasted pages. I highly recommend it. I bought mine on Amazon.

[Lucky Me]

In the few instances that I needed to, I have used this method. Thankfully with out any problems..
There was a recent post on a breeders forum. They recommended a DeLee Suction Catheter (size 8 )
http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=7958

One comment made...

it is used to clear air ways at birth. you basically put one end of the Dulee in your mouth and the other goes to the puppies mouth and nose. You suck and it will clear the fluid and fall into the trap and not your mouth.

Clear mouth
nose
mouth

never clear nose first as it can pull fluid from the mouth and it may go into lungs as they take their first breaths. So mouth, nose, mouth again.

Use sucking motion on the dulee and again the trap between the hoses will hold the fluid keeping it from going into your mouth.

I can send you a link to the whole discussion Todd, if you want..

[KingstonTodd]

Please do Judi, I am interested in an alternative, safer, method to try before resorting to the swing as a last resort.

[KingstonTodd]

Originally Posted by Jac

Todd, I have found the most fabulous books for breeders...they answers many of these questions and give soooo much practical advice that it is well worth the price... both by Myra Savant Harris: Canine Reproduction, a Dog Breeder's Guide and Whelping and Puppy Intensive Care, a Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies.

In the second book, she gives clear instructions on giving puppies oxygen! She tells how to use it and how to set it up prior to whelping...even how to make a mask out of a Dixie Cup!

Just placed the order from Amazon, thanks for the advice Jac.

[Jac]

If you don't like it, Todd, I will buy it from you!
I find the information really fabulous.
I don't agree with all of it (dew claw removal) but I really appreciate someone who takes the time and makes the effort to teach the more difficult parts of breeding. She answers many of the questions that are commonly asked on the breeder forums.

[MaxandMe]

I love reading this post and LUCKILY I haven't had to attempt any methods other than rubbing a puppy while partially tilted for my breeder.
When she had her golden that once had two sets of twins........they were scary as one would be huge and the other tiny and we had to help
the tiny ones.

KEEP going....I LOVE hearing all this.

[cocoandjane]

hurray!!!
just 10 minutes ago I got home and ups had delivered my three books!
the canine reproduction and whelping book and the puppy intensive care with dvd,
by Myra Savant-Harris!!

I cannot wait for "me" time to read and watch it all!
I, also, bought How to raise a puppy you can live with by Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil.
anyone know anything about that one? I am always looking for good, easy to follow guides to suggest to folks, or possibly give to them. Especially, some young adults who think they really, really, really want a puppy.

Anyway! Saw this discussion again and just after my books arrived!
I had to "swing" one irish setter puppy once....and the vet did one, too. at his instruction we did this to save
the pups' lives and were very gentle. I was scared to death to do it...but, gently done... we had two normal pups who thrived. i love finding out alternatives to this method!

[Jac]

Jane! I am so anxious to hear how you like the books! Be honest because if I am misrepresenting their value, I need to check that!
I'd love to know more about the puppy raising book too.
I am sending you a PM...

[cocoandjane]

I love the books!!
Well, I assume I love them both!
I have started the breeding and whleping book first...
then I'll read the puppy intensive care and then the training one.
Man, you're right about every page having tons of info' some of which, is brand new to me!
(I guess mostly the terms she uses that I know nothing about.)

It has caused me to decide that if Nellie is OK testing wise...I will probably eventually get a stud.
It doesn't make sense not to.
It would be a shame to end up with a pair that didn't like each other.
Ha! Lots to consider.
Excellent books!!....keep recommending them to folks!

[Jac]

Oh, I am so glad! I have been breeding since 2004 and I was bowled over by the great information...so I am glad that you found them useful too...thanks for letting me know!

[cocoandjane]

OK, the Puppy Intensive Care book is absolutely tremendous!
I can't imagine you'd ever need all that she has to offer....though
I think I can hear my breeder friend's and contacts...say that
they have experienced some, most, if not all the scenarios that caused
this gal to see and respond to the need for consise, complete information of all
you can do, without a vet....unless you work very closely with a vet .

Intending to breed Nellie....
if she passes her Pennhip and all and actually be bred....
omgoodness, I never thought
I could get excited again....
after Coco couldn't be bred and a week later finding out that Abby . too,
has bad hip scores.. I wondered if i could endure going through all this again
with Nellie. I'm well aware that could happen...but...

Enough, i am moving forward with hope!
We'll see.
These books have been invaluable to me!
Thank you, Jac, for the info about them!

[Jac]

Yes! And...Nellie WILL pass...she will have the best scores! You'll see!