Dystocia

Question 1

Gestation is ~ ____ days from first time the dog allow breeding

Answer 1

56-72 days

In cats, 52-74 days

Average is 65 days
> 70 days may indicate problem

Question 2

A drop if body temp > ___ F is usually notes 24 hr prior to whelping in dogs an cats

Answer 2

2

Question 3

Which cat breed commonly has dystocias?

Answer 3

Persians

Question 4

Puppies will show up on XRAY after day ___

Answer 4

42

Question 5

A breech position is normal . T/F

Answer 5

T

~40% puppies born this way

Question 6

In cats, labour can take ____ hours to complete

Answer 6

24

Question 7

________ is most common MATERNAL factor for dystocia

Answer 7

UTERINE INERTIA

Question 8

________ is most common fetal factor causing Dystocia

Answer 8

MALPRESENTATION

Question 9

2 things to tell to client when pets comes for Dystocia/ C- section?

Answer 9

• 2/3rd of cases who need medical help for Dystocia will need C-section
• C-section will cost and there is risk to dam and puppies

Question 10

Main criteria for C-section :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Answer 10

• Signs of systemic illness or severe pain
• fetal oversize
• Lochia for >10 min before FIRST offspring
• ACTIVE straining for 30 min
• WEAK and INFREQUENT contractions for 2 hour
• > 4 hr since last puppy with no evidence of ongoing labor.

Question 11

Lochia is normal if seen after 1st puppy?

Answer 11

Yes

If seen before the 1st puppy, then thats indication of C- Section

Question 12

-

Answer 12

• XRAY

- glucose, Calcium (full labwork if dam if sick)

Question 13

Why we take XRAY during assessment of a case of dystocia?

Answer 13

• to check fetal size
• to check fetal number

Count heads only; better to say ATLEAST X puppies

Question 14

What to do if you check glucose and Ca and both are low. Dose of supplementation?

Answer 14

• 1-2 ml/kg of 50% Dextrose (diluted 1:1 with saline and given over 10 min)
• 0.5-1.5 ml/kg of 10% Calcium Gluconate SLOW IV while watching EKG

Question 15

You may need to twist or rotate the fetus. T/F

Answer 15

T

Warn owners of the risk to fetus during removing it physically

Question 16

In which direction do we pull the fetus?

Answer 16

DOWNWARD

Question 17

-

Answer 17

• 1 drop DOXAPRAM on tongue or injected into tongue
• 25 ga needle → twirl it at on the nose

Otherwise, gently suction out the mouth with bulb syringe as a normal procedure for all

Question 18

Oxytocin can be given if there is not fetus stuck or no fetal oversize. T/F

Answer 18

T

Question 19

Total dose of Oxytocin in dogs & cats.

Answer 19

0.5-2 units total

Question 20

What is the criteria for repeating Oxytocin?

Answer 20

• Repeat in 30 min, if no fetus passes

- if a fetus is passed, then it can be repeated EVERY 30 min as needed for expulsion of remaining fetuses

Question 21

Do not swing puppies. T/F

Answer 21

T

Question 22

If medical management has not worked for an hour or so, Author starts discussing C-section with owners. T/F

Answer 22

T

Question 23

Once the dam is awake , observe for ___ hours and discharge if all looks good

Answer 23

4-8

Question 24

Is vaginal discharge normal after whelping?

Answer 24

Yes, it may take 4-6 weeks to resolve

Should be a concern if it turns GREENISH, FOUL SMELLING or DAM IS SICK

Question 25

Other fetus related indications for C-section?

Answer 25

• Fetal oversize or malformation
• Fetal putrefaction
• Fetal malpresentation which is not amenable to digital manipulation
• Evidence of fetal distress with poor response to medical intervention

Question 26

Other Maternal indications for C-section?

Answer 26

• Uterine inertia (large numbers of fetus & response to drugs is unsatisfactory)
• Abnormalities of pelvis (fractures,masses)
• Maternal evidence of systemic illness
• Suspcision of uterine torsion, rupture, prolapse or herniation