Staying alive: a questionnaire study on pregnancy outcome and pre-weaning puppy health in Swedish dogs

Pre-weaning mortality and stillbirth rates in dogs are relatively high. Hypoxia during prolonged parturition is the main cause of neonatal death, followed by septic infection, predominantly caused by opportunistic bacteria. Several viruses also contribute to neonate mortality. Good breeding management and vaccination are important in improving newborn survival. The purpose of the study was to establish pregnancy outcome rates in a large cohort of Swedish breeding dogs, information that had not been previously documented. Further, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with abortion, congenital anomalities, and puppy mortality. Last, we wanted to investigate potential risk for transmission of Brucella canis or other zoonoses related to parturition. To achieve this, a web-based questionnaire was distributed to dog breeders in the Swedish Kennel Club. The results comprise data from 1879 breeders on 10,124 puppies from 1791 litters. Abortion rate was 1.5 %, stillbirth rate 4.8 %, and pre-weaning mortality 3.7 %. Disease in the pregnant bitch was associated with spontaneous abortion or resorption. Stillbirth was associated with the bitch having her first litter, dystocia, increased litter size and presence of congential anomalities in the litter. Pre-weaning mortality was associated with dystocia and increased litter size. Having seven or more dogs less than one year old together with the bitch during the last weeks of pregnancy was a risk factor for both stillbirth and pre-weaning mortality, an association not previously shown. Thirty per cent of respondents reported having used mouth-to-nose resuscitation on newborn puppies, a potential transmit route for Brucella canis and other zoonotic agents.