Do not allow puppies to become chilled. You can maintain room temperature at 85 – 90°F (29.5 – 32°C) during the first four days. Temperature may then be gradually decreased to approximately 80°F (26.7°C) by the seventh to tenth day. However, you do not necessarily need to heat the whole room to these temperatures. An “always on” heating pad, available from The Dog Breeder Store, is often all that is necessary. Many heating pads turn themselves off, so be certain yours does not. Newborn temps should be 95-99°F. Anything below that is life threatening. Any rewarming should always be done slowly.
You can easily discern dehydration by feeling for sticky gums or by pinching up the skin at the neck. If it is supple and flows back down easily, the puppy is properly hydrated. If it stays in the air, feels “dry or stuck,” or flows down very slowly, hydration by subcutaneous injection may be required. Using slightly warmed sterile saline or lactated ringers, available from The Dog Breeder Store in our Newborn Puppy Rescue Kit, clean the back of the neck with an alcohol wipe, pinch up the skin, poke a sterile needle just under the skin, and slowly inject liquid until a nice ball forms under the skin. Typically, about 1cc per 1oz./30mL of body weight is about right but use good observation skills so as not to “overinflate” under the skin. Never inject cold liquids.
An environmental humidity of 55 – 60% is also preferable. Place a warm, wet washcloth in the box, replacing when it cools. You can also use a humidifier. A reptile hygrometer, available on this page from The Dog Breder Store, is helpful to measure humidity.
· Temperature measuring range: -58-158 ; Humidity measuring range: 10%-99%RH (Measures conditions every 10 seconds)
· Temperature measurement accuracy: ±2; Humidity measurement accuracy: ±5%RH
· Mini size perfect for nursery, warming box, intensive care unit, humidor, plants, reptile tank, home, jars, incubators grow tent, greenhouse, garden, cellar, refrigerator, closet, or any other place that requires monitoring of temperature and humidity levels
· Outer material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene