Water
(Walrus)
Puppies
(Anasarca puppies)
Puppies
born with severe Edema (swelling, water
retention)
Water puppy
syndrome:
Edema:
an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in various organs, cavities, or
tissues of the body.
We can learn a bit from
"people" medicine - water babies (hydrops) is usually from lack of
red blood cells in the baby as a result of an infection or immune
reaction.
It can effect only one pup in a
litter or the entire litter. Water puppies are impossible to deliver
naturally, they are huge, swollen, waterlogged puppies. A c-section is a
must, as these puppies are generally 2 - 4x the size of their littermates.
These
pups range from mild, medium to severely effected.
They
do not get STUCK in the birth canal, they do not get that far, as they block
the birth canal.
If
your dam is pushing on a single puppy, contractions for 2 hours, without
puppy presentation into the birth canal, especially after delivering one or
two normal pups, you should seek veterinary assistance, as the remaining
pups can die, along with the dam.
This
is a Medical Emergency!
There
are many opinions on why these water pups develop, some say it is congenital
or environmental, some say diet, trauma to the dam, or even a virus. There
is no evidence to show it is hereditary, but it does effect some breeds more
than others. Especially the Bulldog & flat faced
breeds including, Boston Terriers,
English Bulldogs,
French Bulldogs,
Shar Pei,
Bullmastiff, Basset
Hound, Chow Chow, Wire Fox Terrier, and Pugs.
It has occurred in crossbred
dogs, and pedigree dogs, such as the Borzoi,
Maltese, Labrador Retriever,
Schnauzers,
Bichon
Frise, Chihuahuas,
German Shepherd,
Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail),
Poodle, Great Dane,
German Pointer &, in a wolf from
zoo/wildlife -park.
An x-ray does not always show the
larger size of these puppies, as the weight is mostly fluid. An ultrasound
is thought to detect these puppies.
Water pups are usually born alive, limp, and weak, and they look like
someone blew them up, like a balloon. The dam was supplying the needed
oxygen and nutrition through the placenta and cord, but soon after birth
the medium to severely
effected pup will suffocate by the pressure of the fluid.
The mildly effected pups that
survive the first 2 - 3 days, have been reported to become normal, and
others say there were other underlying problems and they died within the
first week.
The choice to try and save, or to
let the pup go without suffering, will be between you and your vet, how
much experience you have behind you, and if you are willing to put in the
time PLUS be prepared for heartache. Trying to save these pups at this time,
is considered experimental.
The
cause or treatment of this condition is un- known at this time.
Treatment:
Treatment needs to be given right
away for a mildly effected pup.
-- Elevate the head and
extend the neck for a more clear air way.
-- To encourage urination
run one or two fingers over the genitalia.
-- Some veterinarians have
recently had great success using Lasix in saving water puppies. Lasix is the
brand name of the chemical Furosemide. Furosemide is a diuretic-saluretic,
which inhibits the re-absorption of sodium (salt). The drug is administered
intravenously immediately after birth of the water puppy. Administer
furosemide (Lasix) .1 to .2 ml intramuscularly, to increase urination, this
can be repeated every 30 to 45 minutes for three injections. Caution: more
than three could cause dehydration.
-- Keep the pups warm and stimulate urination as described above
every 2 - 3 minutes.
-- Elastic bandages have also
been used to push out fluid (not too tight).
Mildly effected pups can take 1 to 2 hours to breathe normally. Moderately
effected pups take 90 minutes to 4 hours to breathe normal. Medium to
severely effected pups are difficult to save, they usually drown within 30
minutes. Severely bloated pups, have been known to split open at the
abdomen, just from handling.
| Some signs for you to watch your
pregnant female for are: drinking large amounts of water, nipples and
surrounding tissues have a shiny look, nipples produce a fluid, very early
in pregnancy. |
|
|
Autopsies have shown, that the
organs are saturated in fluid and the life sustaining organs, cannot
function, causing the pups to drown.
Theories:
A inuterine reaction to sodium,
or an inability to process proteins. Hypothyrodism, as well as an inability
of the lymphmatic system to drain effectively due to the anatomy.
None of these ideas have ever
been proven.
Water puppies are often seen
associated with a combination of vertebral column defects and often have
further abnormalities particularly cleft palates
Some Findings on
causes : (still not proven)
--
Congenital anasarca (congenital generalised subcutaneous oedema). The
aetiology of congenital anasarca is not well defined (prenatal
cardiovascular anomaly)
--
A traumatic origin (with disruption of the placenta) as a foetus suffering
from anasarca is usually the sole occupant of a uterine horn filled with
a large amount of haemorrhagic fluid.
--
Could be caused by a virus, it has been attributed to the after-effects of the
mother's oronasal infection with the minute virus during the last trimester
of pregnancy associated with myocarditis. In the latter case, elasticity of
the foetus' skin allows extravasation of transudate that is
compensated for by the immediate supply of fluid via the umbilical cord.
--
malformation of the lymphatic drainage system
Words from a vet:
Congenital anasarca-
There is no possible treatment for puppies suffering from congenital
anasarca. These puppies usually die within less than 36 hours.
Prevention:
Low salt diet.
Reduce potential Trauma (isolate
pregnant dams)
Autogenous minute virus vaccine
in the case suspicion of minute virus (anarsarca en-zootic within the same
breeding facility).
_______________________________
According to doctors, human babies can be born
with this too .
Human version:
Fetal Hydrops (the cause is not yet known, but
there are many theories)
In humans, edema is considered a congenital
syndrome, that happens in utro, and doctors figure, it is most often
caused by a virus (slap cheek, virus, and a human parvo type virus B-19)
or it can be caused by a liver malfunction.
In the US: Widely varying figures
have been quoted, but 1 case per 600 - 4,000 pregnancies is the
estimated frequency. Figures from Thailand suggest an estimated
incidence of 1 case per 500 - 1,500 pregnancies
It is not a labor induced issue, it happens
prenatally for unknown reasons.
There is a genetic syndrome that will cause
swelling, including (chromosomal
abnormalities) and one called in-Turner
syndrome, and babies rarely make term, and have dwarfism. Shorter
bodies, and extra neck skin.
There are photo's of dwarf looking puppies, that
may fall into this category.
___________________________
If you suspect your dam may deliver water
puppies consult your vet.
___________________________
One breeder of
Pekingese states, "I have been a
breeder of Pekingese for several years. The last two litters had water babies
and each a c-section. Each litter had one water baby and the closest baby was
dehydrated. We lost both water babies. In the first litter, the water baby was
huge and had been dead about 1 week. I'm surprised the dam was OK. It's body was
starting to decay- no fur, no skin- really gross. We lost the dehydrated baby
next to it in the uterine horn. The 2 babies in the other horn were born first,
without c-section and were fine. A similar experience with the second litter,
though the water baby was smaller and still alive. The adjoining pup was
dehydrated. A simple sub-Q of fluids and he's fine. Again the first 2 from one
horn were born regularly and were fine. The effected horn had the c-section. The
only similarities between these litters is the newly used sire (same sire both
litters). I'm afraid to use him again! In both of these litters both dams were
unrelated, but both litters were from the same sire (a first time sire). My Vet
and I suspect a correlation with the use of this sire. I've been checking on
this condition and it appears to be more common in brachiocephalic breeds (flat
faced breeds)"
___________________________
A Breeder of Wire Fox Terriers states, "I raise and breed show quality Wire Fox Terriers. My dam of 4 yrs just delivered her second litter. She was carrying two water babies one also had a severe cleft palate. Her first litter was normal no complications. I have never experienced anything like this before it was so disheartening. She was carrying a total of 5 puppies and 3 were normal."
___________________________
If a male passes something on, to a
pup in a litter, and it is a congenital defect. I don't panic, as things happen.
If he does it again, to a different unrelated female, I neuter. If it is the
same female, I use a different male. I neuter faster than some breeders, but I
am very selective. I feel there is a lot of good dogs out there, so why take the
chance.
If you have additional information /
photos on water puppies you would like to share,
in order to help others with this issue
Contact
Us.
Courtesy of MistyTrails Havanese
