Fading Puppy Syndrome - a deep dive into causes and treatments
Posted by Paula Vandervoort, Senior Dog Breeder on 6/10/2023 to
Neonatal Care
Fading Puppy Syndrome is not a diagnosis. It is a catch-all phrase that describes neonatal puppies born healthy, but which gradually fade and die of uncontrollable and unknown causes.
Up to about 30% of newborns die within the first two weeks of life. 50% of these deaths occur within the first week and are attributed to Fading Puppy Syndrome. Little research has been done on this subject, but it is a situation known to every breeder eventually. Fading Puppy Syndrome is most common during the first week of life but may occur up until ten weeks.