How to correctly use a bulb syringe to clear newborn puppy airways?

A normal syringe probably would not work as well. The shape of a bulb syringe and the way it’s shaped is best for getting mucous out of a puppy’s airway. If you can’t get a bulb syringe a normal syringe is better than nothing.

Most puppies will not need you to aspirate their mouths after birth if it is a normal healthy birth. Usually the puppy will be born and mom will immediately start licking/cleaning the pup and this will stimulate them to start breathing. That being said, it isn't a bad idea to have one on hand as they are inexpensive, and if they are having trouble breathing you can use it. You can read more about birthing puppies/stages of labor/signs of problems at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A

Sometimes the mother will reject puppies that she feels won't make it, and in a large litter with such a small breed dog I would not be surprised if some of the pups just weren't viable. Your best bet in the future is to make sure the puppies are kept well-warmed - a heat lamp is good for this - and also watch the mom closely, especially in the first few days, to make sure that her mothering instincts are taking over and she's not trying to sit on any of the puppies. If you find some of them unresponsive, wrap them in a warm towel and try stimulating them by vigorous rubbing. You can also gently blow into their mouths, and use a bulb syringe to suction any accumulated mucous from the airway.

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately there is not a whole lot that can be done for this at home until it is seen by your veterinarian, but keep the puppy warm and make sure it has access to mom's milk. Also if fluids haven't been cleared out quite enough after birth, you may use a bulb syringe to help suck out fluid from the puppy's nose and mouth. I hope this helps and best of luck with Lulu!

The amniotic sac contains the amniotic fluid that provides a safe environment for the developing fetus - it works the same way in human babies :) Sometimes the sac breaks as the puppy is being pushed through the birth canal, and sometimes it stays intact. In that case, the mother dog will normally break the sac with her teeth so that the newborn puppy can breathe. If she doesn't do this (or during a C-section), a human helper may need to break the sac instead.

Oh no. Breathing issue in a newborn are considered critical. Take a pediatric bulb syringe and suction out the nose and throat area for any residual liquid. I suspect that your puppy may have gotten fluid in the lungs. There could be a congenital defect (i.e. cleft palate) that could have caused this or it could have been accidentally done by aggressive feeding from the mother where milk went down the trachea instead of the esophagus. It is critical to take puppy to your ER vet if he continues to having difficulty breathing after you suction everything out well. He may need oxygen support (if tongue is blue or not oxygenating well) and antibiotics if he is found to have aspiration pneumonia. Constipation is also a concern but doesn't take precedence over the breathing problems. Please get puppy help asap because he is considered to be in critical condition and in need of medical assistance.

If the puppy is deceased then there is little to no chance of regaining a heart beat. If the pup has a heart beat but not breathing then gently blowing breaths into the nose / mouth may stimulate breathing. Also using a nasal aspirater to suction any fluids from the mouth and pharynx can be helpful. Of course taking the pup to a veterinarian immediately would be it’s best chance of survival, but the chances are still very low. I’m sorry you are going through this. Take care and thank you for using Pet Coach.