You have everything ready for the big day when your dog has her litter, from the whelping box and clean towels to the heating pads and everything in between, but are you prepared for possible puppy emergencies? Here are a few situations you may encounter that could put the puppies in peril and what to do about them.

1. The Mother Doesn't Remove The Birth Membrane

While most dog moms instinctively clean their pups, sometimes they may miss a beat. That's why you should be prepared with a clean towel, which you would use to gently rub the membrane away. If you need to cut the cord, use sterile scissors, being careful not to tug on the cord, as this could cause an injury. Tie it off with dental floss (unwaxed) and place the puppy near mom's nursing station. If she continues to ignore the little one, keep a close eye on it, as this could be an indication there's something wrong with it.

2. There's A Runt In The Litter

These disadvantaged little guys will look smaller and seem weaker, perhaps not able to claw a place for themselves at the milk venue; however, just because a pup is born the "runt" doesn't automatically mean it won't make it. Runts can eventually thrive, although they won't usually compensate for their small stature later on. Watch the runt, nudging it along to a nipple if needed and see that it feeds and flourishes the way its siblings do. If it doesn't seem to do well, you may need to have it examined by your vet, sooner rather than later if it's obviously not getting the nourishment and attention it needs to survive.

3. The Puppies Seem To Have A Cough Issue

Since kennel cough can be a very serious issue for any dog, regardless of age, you need to pay close attention to this symptom. A dry, frequent cough that sounds very stressed and like the pup is choking may be an indication that kennel cough is present in your new litter, and the whole lot of them may be in need of a veterinarian visit. Call first to make special quarantine arrangements, as kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis as it's scientifically known, is highly contagious. While there is a vaccine, there's no magical cure, and your vet may recommend home treatment; however, since you need a specific diagnosis, the opinion of a vet is essential.

4. Everyone Is Itching!

Fleas are a common problem with pets, but they can pose a special danger to newborn pups, who don't have fully developed immune systems. Also, some dogs are allergic to flea bites, which would likely result in major skin problems. The obstacle to treating fleas in young puppies is that you can't use traditional chemical remedies yet, so you should contact your vet for further advice and be prepared to eradicate the fleas from your home at once, without the puppies present, of course. You could coordinate your flea removal operation around the pup's visit to the vet, to avoid complications.

5. A Puppy Has Runny Stools

All kinds of things, from diseases to parasites, can cause a young dog to have runny stools, making this something you want to monitor closely. While it could simply be stress, these little guys can become dehydrated easily, so stay on top of this symptom, and bring it to the attention of a vet. The stool should also be closely examined for mucous, which might tell you there are parasites present or possibly something more serious, such as parvovirus.

6. There's Traces Of Blood In The Feces

This can be especially concerning to anyone, and it's a symptom that can't be ignored. Blood in a puppy's stool can mean a number of things, but since it's so potentially problematic, let your vet know as soon as you see this situation. If you notice the blood during off-hours, call an emergency veterinary clinic like Metzger Animal Hospital, and be prepared to bring the pup, along with a stool sample safely stored in an air-tight plastic bag, to the canine ER. Since whatever is wrong may be contagious, the entire litter, along with the mom, may be subject to examination, so be ready for anything. Less frightening conditions can cause blood to appear in the stool, such as a rectal fissure, allergy or infection, so hopefully your little pups aren't facing anything major.

7. One Or More Puppies Isn't Eating

Your puppies should be acting like little oinkers, fighting to reach mom's milk constantly, and if you notice one doesn't seem interested, start documenting their feeding times. Record when they nursed and for how long, and if you don't see an improvement quickly, call a vet. Puppies can be overcome by hypoglycemia if they don't eat enough, among other possible complications.

Anything you notice that's out of the ordinary in one of your puppies should be reported to your regular veterinarian as soon as possible, but if the situation seems to be dire, you need to act immediately. Have the number to your closest 24-hour emergency vet on hand, and call them at the first sign of anything dire or if you're not sure a puppy could be in peril. These can be precarious moments for the precious and vulnerable little pups, so don't take any chances.