Artificial Resuscitation on Struggling Newborn Puppies?

Whistling Ridge's Princess Willow and her 9 babies, born December 26, 2025.

How far should a breeder go to save a struggling newborn puppy? The answer to this is as varied as the breeders responding. We know breeders who believe it is best to let nature run its course. If they are weak, let mama care for them and if they fade, they fade. If mama is rejecting a weak or runt puppy, maybe she is aware it has bigger issues than we can see. This does not work for us. Each puppy born, enters this world with meaning. Each one deserves our best effort. When I see them struggle, I feel compelled to do all in my power to save their lives.

Years ago we had a puppy that came out less than half the size of the smallest in the litter. At first, I thought it was stillborn. I massaged its chest and saw a flicker. For about the next 15 or so minutes, I worked on that puppy, massaging its chest, suctioning, and finally even gentle artificial resuscitation. All to no avail, or so it seemed. It was the middle of the night. I was exhausted. After I laid the puppy down under the heat lamp, not willing to distress mama by removing it, I reclined on my makeshift bed -- a large piece of foam right beside the whelping mama who did not want me to live her side -- and fell asleep.

A sudden loud cry -- more like scream -- awakened me some 10 to 20 minutes later. I do not recall precisely. To my shock, the 'stillborn' puppy squirmed about and came to life. Mama had given birth to 8 healthy babies, one stillborn, and this little fighter. Only after saving the puppies life did we discover a deformity; one paw had not developed. We had been so intently focused on saving it, that this detail escaped us. For a moment, I wondered at the quality of life this little one was destined to have. Just as quickly, I knew that whatever time it was given with us, we would care for it and give it the best life possible.

Mama didn't care much for the baby, and kept sidelining it, aware that her baby was not strong. We kept supplementing with Esbelac Goat Milk for Puppies every few hours, and occasionally added NutriCal to get through the roughest patches. We heated facecloths in our microwave, wrapped the puppy, and carried it around tucked against our chest. We returned the baby to mama for nursing and for the night. Gradually, mama began to care for the baby. The first few days were touch and go but, by the end of week one, our little miracle showed strength and determination, growing by leaps and bounds.

That little pup went on to enrich a child's life who was also born with a limb difference. A child who was adopted into a loving home and who had asked for a puppy 'just like me.' Our little miracle became the answer to that child's prayer, and was loved more than any puppy. The stopped short of nothing to give them both the best life possible.

Fast forward to December 26, 2025. Our dam, Willow, was in labour overnight, since Christmas Day in the evening. Hard labour started in the morning, and by 11;30 she gave birth to her first puppy (second litter), The pup was smaller than we anticipated, based on her previous litter of 6. I commented that there are probably more puppies this time.

On Christmas Day we had listened with a doppler and heard. 6 clear, strong heartbeats. Having done xray in the past, and having two more pups than what showed up on xray, I knew babies can hide, so more than six would not be surprising even if we only heard six heartbeats.

By shortly after 2:15pm. Willow had 6 gorgeous babies. She was doing well, and the babies were nursing beautifully. After palpating her belly, and being fairly certain there was at least one more puppy at the mid-point of her belly, I took a short break.

Upon my return, to my shock, she had birthed another three babies. All three were in their unbroken water sacks. None were moving. Mama was tired and looked overwhelmed, making no move to help the puppies. So I broke their water sacks and massaged each one's chest. All three had fluid in their lungs.

The biggest pup responded quickly and within minutes started squirming. I laid it in front of mama, who immediately began to care for it. For the next 15 minutes, I went back and forth between the other two puppies, massaging, suctioning, and massaging some more. I placed each one carefully between my hands, supporting the back, neck and head, and held them upside down, moving back and forth to bring down more fluid out of their lungs, followed by more suctioning. After about 20 minutes, the second pup began holding its own, so I gave it to mama, who again cared for it immediately.

The last pup remained limp and lifeless, for the most part. There were little signs of life that would come and go. For an hour I worked on the pup. Starting at about the time I gave puppy two to mama, I carefully placed my mouth over the last puppy's nose and mouth and gently blew air into its chest. More fluid came out when I suctioned. I continued massaging. Six times I repeated this process. Mama was getting worried and didn't like me keeping her baby, so I paused every now and then to let her lick and sniff, and explained that her baby isn't ok yet. I don't know what she understood, but after that, she relaxed and watched me work.

Finally, at about the one hour mark, the puppy cried a real cry. The occasional tiny squeaks over the course of the hour had given me hope and compelled me to keep working. I helped her latch, and immediately she took to nursing. We kept a close eye on her the next few days, and by day 3 it was obvious she no longer needed any assistance. She was holding her own among the rest of the litter, nursing well, and not letting the others bully her.

Now, at 18 days old, she is a plump and feisty little one. I watch her hold her own with the rest of the litter, and wonder what mission she has in her future. Like our little pup with the limb difference, who made one child's world complete, whose life will this little one change? Who will she comfort when life is hard? Who will laugh at her antics?

If someone had told me I would do artificial resuscitation on a newborn puppy, I would have laughed. But when the moment came, it was the most natural thing in the world.

We do our best to breed with excellence, but when life and nature have a different plan, there is still purpose. I recall a discussion with our vet about what is best if puppy did not rally or if it became apparent it would suffer. Our vet recommended waiting. She knew of a similar puppy who lived a long and happy life, because the pup was perfectly healthy in every other way, and very resilient.

We gave it as a gift to the child, and retired mama after that litter. We never regretted saving that puppy's life. Watching the joy it brought to the child to have 'a puppy just like me' has been one of the most fulfilling moments in our breeding experience.

© Whistling Ridge 2026