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The neonatal period in dogs remains associated with high mortality rates. Sepsis is the main cause of neonatal losses during the first three weeks of life. Additionally, failure in the clinical assessment and early diagnosis of sick newborns is still common, leading to inadequate care, which contributes to a high mortality rate. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the incidence of sepsis in canine newborns, the clinical aspects involved, the main isolated bacterial agents and mortality rates to facilitate clinicians' early recognition of this condition. Of the 152 litters and 762 neonates evaluated, 14.8% (113/762) had sepsis or septic shock, and the mortality rate among affected puppies was 25.6% (29/113). Among the puppies with sepsis that died, early mortality (0–2 days of age) occurred in 69% (20/29) of affected neonates, and late mortality (3–30 days of age) occurred in 31% (9/29) of affected neonates. Significant differences (p < 0.0001) in clinical parameters (heart and respiratory rates, blood glucose, body temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation and reflexes) were noted among healthy neonates and neonates with sepsis and septic shock. The main and most relevant clinical signs were apathy, a reduced sucking reflex, diarrhea, the neonatal triad, failure to gain weight, bradycardia, dyspnea, cyanotic mucous membranes, body erythema, reduced peripheral oxygen saturation, cyanosis and tissue necrosis in the extremities. The mother may have been the main source of infection for 87.6% (99/113) of neonates with sepsis. Most infections were transmitted during pregnancy (68%, 77/113) in cases of neonatal sepsis. The major source of infection for neonates was the uterus, followed by breast milk and maternal oropharyngeal secretions. The most frequently isolated bacterial agent was Escherichia coli , accounting for 25.6% (29/113) of sepsis cases. The morbidity and mortality of neonatal sepsis in dogs is high. The clinical evaluation and diagnosis of sepsis in neonates differ from those in adult animals. Thus, knowledge of the neonatal particularities of sepsis is essential for proper clinical management and greater survival of these patients. • Neonatal sepsis can cause high mortality if early care is not provided. • Newborns with sepsis may have reduced heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation. • Newborns in sepsis may have reduced blood glucose, body temperature and reflexes. • Diarrhea, hematomas and cyanosis of the extremities are important clinical signs for suspected sepsis. • Clinical evaluation and monitoring are essential for early diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine congenital malformations are structural or functional abnormalities of organs present at birth that possibly interfere with the viability of newborns, thus contributing to neonatal mortality. This study evaluated and described the incidence of congenital malformations in neonatal dogs and determined the mortality rates among those affected. Of the 178 litters and 803 newborns included in the study, 24.7% (44/178) of the litters presented neonates with congenital malformations. The total rate of neonates that presented malformations was 6.7% (64/803). The total mortality rate in newborns with congenital defects was 5.4% (44/803), representing 68.7% (44/64) of the deaths observed among those affected. The early (0–2 days old) and late (3–30 days old) mortality rates among the affected neonates were 61.4% (27/44) and 38.6% (17/44), respectively. In total, 27 malformations were recorded, and the most common congenital defects were cleft palate 2.8% (23/803) and hydrocephaly 1.5% (12/803), either alone or associated with other malformations. The malformations were recorded in 15 breeds: Pug, Miniature Pinscher, Rottweiler, Pitbull, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, German Spitz, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih-tzu, Brazilian Terrier and mixed breed. One case of exposure to a teratogenic agent was reported, but no maternal exposure to teratogens during gestation was reported with the other litters. The occurrence of congenital defects may be related to genetic factors since the highest incidence of malformations (84.4%) was observed in purebred dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]