Dystocia

Question 1

Stage II of parturition

Answer 1

This is considered active labor ending with fetal expulsion and is typically 4-18 hours. There will be abdominal contractions with a fully dilated cervix as a result of the Ferguson reflex which releases oxytocin.

Question 2

Stage I parturition

Answer 2

6-12 hours of restlessness, nesting, digging, transient hyporexia. The cervix is dilated and there are uterine contractions but no abdominal

Question 3

Stage III parturition

Answer 3

Passage of the fetal membranes about 5-15 minutes after birth or inbetween two puppies/kittens

Question 4

Dystocia definition

Answer 4

Difficult birth or failure to successfully pass puppies through the vaginal canal

Question 5

What breeds have the highest dystocia rates?

Answer 5

French bulldog, Boston terrier, pug, chihuahua

Question 6

__ and __ are common causes of dystocia in bitches

Answer 6

Fetal malposition and complete primary uterine inertia

Question 7

Complete primary uterine inertia

Answer 7

Dont move on to stage 2 of partition from stage 1. You may see green discharge, it may be caused by large litters and you won’t observe contractions.

Question 8

Secondary Uterine Inertia

Answer 8

Prolonged uterine contraction fails to promote fetal expulsion. Theres no Fergusons reflex and no response to oxytocin administration.

Question 9

Normal PPP for K9/Feline

Answer 9

Presentation: anterior and posterior
Position: longitudinal, dorsosacral
Posture: extended head and limbs

Question 10

A __ fetus or __ may cause obstructive dystocia

Answer 10

Large, malposture

Question 11

When should you start to suspect dystocia?

Answer 11

• prolonged gestation length past due date
• no signs of parturition 24 hours after temperature drop
• weak contraction, intermittent or absent abdominal straining with no fetal expulsion
• strong contractions with no fetal expulsion within 30 minutes
• > 2 hours between puppies
• green/red/brown discharge without delivery
• foul smell

Question 12

Anytime you see __ or __ during parturition owners should call their vet

Answer 12

Black vulvar discharge, mod/large amts of blood

Question 13

What does green/brown, bloody/foul smelling vaginal discharge mean?

Answer 13

Placental separation-> puppy is not receiving adequate blood supply anymore

Question 14

Fetal heart rate of __ to __ indicated distress

Answer 14

160-180 bpm

Question 15

What two things should you look at for fetal maturity/development? For gestational aging?

Answer 15

Kidney development and intestinal layers/peristalsis

Biparietal diameter

Question 16

If hypoglycemia is present then give __ or ___

Answer 16

Oral glucose or 5-10% glucose solution IV

Question 17

If ionized calcium is less than 1.21mmol/L then you need to increase the strength of __. What should you give?

Answer 17

Uterine contractions, give 10% calcium gluconate every 6-8 hours

Question 18

oxytocin can be given to help with __ and __ lasting around 30 minutes. what happens with repeated administration?

Answer 18

Uterine contraction and milk ejection functions. Repeated administration may cause hyper stimulation or tetany

Question 19

Name a few reasons to go to C section

Answer 19

Uterine inertia, anatomic abnormalities, fetal distress or abnormalities, obstructive dystocia

Question 20

For C sections we use __ as pre anesthetic medication to alleviate stress and reduce propofol amount needed

Answer 20

Fentanyl

Question 21

Explain why we might use propofol, alfaxalone or ketamine as C section induction agents

Answer 21

Propofol: allows rapid induction and easy intubation

Alfaxalone: less likely to cause cardio respiratory depression and does not accumulate after repeating doses and newborns exhibit quick recovery

Ketamine/barbiturics: NOT RECOMMENDED

Question 22

What should you use for an epidural in c sections?

Answer 22

Bupivicaine or lidocaine but try to move FAST

Question 23

Conservative OHE’s removes the __ and closes the __ while radical ends with an ___

Answer 23

Puppies + placenta, uterus, OHE