Morbidity and mortality in a closed foxhound breeding colony

A 3-year mortality and morbidity survey was conducted in a research foxhound breeding colony. Its purpose was to identify specific problem areas for further study and rectification. Three-hundred and thirty-nine litters (2,872 puppies) were whelped. Seventeen percent (17.4%) of the puppies died before weaning and 4.0% died between weaning and 30 weeks of age. Major puppy losses (55.6% of the total mortality) occurred during the 1st week after birth. The majority of deaths during this period was attributable to stillbirth, immaturity or runting, trauma and congenital abnormalities. The predominant causes of death thereafter were pneumonia, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal disease. The most frequent causes of morbidity among puppies were respiratory disease, anorexia and dehydration, skin disorders, and gastrointestinal disease. These entities were most commonly observed during the 2 weeks before and after weaning at 6 weeks of age. Clinical disease problems among breeding stock were few and were easily resolved. Fighting and infections of the skin and ear canals constituted 75.5% of the cases observed.