Great Dane Litter Size The average Great Dane usually has up to 10 puppies in a litter. Because they are a larger breed, they generally have the physical room to carry more puppies than smaller dogs. However, litter sizes can vary widely; while a litter of five or six is possible, there are also reports of Great Danes having as many as 17 or 18 puppies at once. It is very rare for a Great Dane to give birth to just a single puppy.

Reviving Newborn Puppies The best techniques to revive newborn puppies are vigorous stimulation and oxygen administration. You can also suction the oropharynx to remove any fluid. You must never swing the puppies, as this can cause brain damage or result in accidentally throwing the puppy. If the mother was given opioids during a C-section and the puppies are not breathing, one drop of naloxone and doxapram can be administered sublingually. Veterinarians advise being patient and trying to revive a puppy for a full 15 to 20 minutes before giving up.

Deworming Protocols for Pregnant Dogs Yes, there are specific protocols to ensure deworming is safe for both the mother and the unborn puppies. It is generally recommended to refrain from deworming during the early stages of pregnancy, specifically waiting until after 40 days of gestation.

The standard protocol is to deworm the pregnant dog 10 days before her expected whelping date, and then continue deworming her every 2 to 3 weeks while she is nursing her puppies. It is critical to only use veterinary-prescribed medications that are specifically proven safe for pregnancy and lactation, such as fenbendazole or pyrantel pamoate.