Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/ISSN 0303-5409

Causes of Neonatal Death in Puppies – A 10-year Retrospective Study

Ivan-Conrado Šoštarić-Zuckermann ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia *
Jelena Adanić ; Department of Radiology, Ultrasonographic Diagnostics and Physical Therapy (Volunteer), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Andrea Gudan Kurilj ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Lidija Medven Zagradišnik ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Doroteja Huber ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Hohšteter ; Bioinstitut Ltd. for Healthcare and Veterinary Services, Rudolfa Steinera 7, 40000 Čakovec, Croatia
Branka Artuković ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Neonatal mortality in puppies represents a significant health and breeding problem in veterinary
medicine. Despite advances in reproductive care, mortality rates during the first weeks of life remain
relatively high. The aim of this study was to determine the most common causes of neonatal mortality in
puppies in the Republic of Croatia, on the basis of gross pathological and histopathological analyses.
A retrospective study was conducted using archival records from the Department of Veterinary
Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, covering the period from January 1,
2009, to October 1, 2019. The study included necropsy cases of puppies up to 21 days of age.
For each puppy, the cause of death, age, breed, sex, and data regarding multiple deaths within
the same litter were analysed. Data were processed using descriptive statistical methods.
A total of 29 cases of neonatal mortality were analysed. The highest number of deaths was recorded
during the first week of life (17/29). The most common causes of death were: congenital malformations
and developmental disorders (9/29), followed by bacterial infections (8/29), while viral infections (4/29)
and aspiration of contents (4/29) were less frequently observed. Among individual findings, swimmer puppy
syndrome and congenital cardiac malformations were particularly notable. The lungs were the most
frequently affected organ associated with fatal lesions, primarily due to aspiration-related changes and
pneumonia. Multiple deaths within the same litter were recorded in eight cases, most often associated
with an infectious aetiology.
The results indicate that congenital malformations and bacterial infections were the leading causes of
neonatal mortality in puppies during the observed period. The highest risk of mortality was present during
the first week of life, highlighting the importance of adequate perinatal care, control of infectious diseases,
and early diagnostic approaches. This study represents the first systematic overview of the causes of
neonatal puppy mortality in the Republic of Croatia, and provides a basis for future epidemiological
research and the development of preventive strategies.

Keywords

neonatal mortality; puppies; bacterial infections; congenital malformations; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

348961

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/348961

Publication date:

8.7.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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