Lecture 20: Dystocia, C-section, postpartum, etc.

Question 0

signs that occur 1-2 weeks prior:

Answer 0

• small amount of clear/tan vulvar discharge
• anorexia and panting
• +/- mammary development
• “nesting” behavior

Question 1

canine gestation length: breeding, LH surge, ovulation, cytological diestrus

Answer 1

single breeding: 57 - 72 days
LH surge: 65 +/- 1 day
ovulation: 63 days +/- 1 day
cytological diestrus: 57 +/- 1 day

Question 2

what does body temperature signify?

Answer 2

a drop in body temperature of at least 1 degree at 12 - 36 hours pre parurition caused by a progesterone drop

Question 3

what will serum progesterone do 12-48 hours before parturition?

Answer 3

drops to less than 2 ng/ml 12-48 hours prior to parturition

Question 4

what are the last structures to ossify?

Answer 4

teeth!

Question 5

what is one way to predict time of parturition via ultrasound?

Answer 5

GI layering at 58 - 60 days

GI peristalsis @ 62 - 64 days

Question 6

what does green discharge indicate?

Answer 6

placental separation

Question 7

what does red/brown vulvar discharge signify?

Answer 7

abortion :-(

Question 8

what is primary uterine inertia?

Answer 8

primary uterine inertia: when the dam fails to expel normal fetuses which are adequately positioned thru the vaginal canal

Question 9

what is secondary uterine inertia?

Answer 9

when there is fetal obstruction and the myometrium fatigues trying to push the puppies out

Question 10

what are the rules of dystocia: if any are present bitch must be examine for dystocia

Answer 10

prolonged gestation –> singleton pup syndrome
stage 1 labor > 12 hours
stage 2 labor > 4 hours with no pup produced
stage 2 labor with hard contractions > 30 minutes (obstruction)
> 2 hours since a pup was born
bitch is systemically ill
frank vulvuar hemorrhage (placental separation from utero verdin)
green vulvar discharge before pups (placental separation)

Question 11

what is the most important thing about oxytocin use?

Answer 11

do NOT use with obstruction!

Question 12

what should the fetal HR be during dystocia workup?

Answer 12

2 - 2.5x dam’s HR

Question 13

what anesthesia should you NOT use with c-section?

Answer 13

1. ketamine
2. methoxyflurane
3. xylazine
4. ace

Question 14

how should you time a C-section?

Answer 14

> / = 63 days post LH surge
daily P4 monitoring - cut when < 2ng/ml
+/- fetal HR monitoring - cut when HR < 180 bpm

Question 15

what is the process of normal uterine involution?

Answer 15

complete at 3 months postpartum

lochia: vulvar discharge common to 4-6 weeks (often red/brown or green but has NO odor!!)

Question 16

how do you dx and tx mastitis?

Answer 16

dx: hot, swollen, painful mammary glands, culture and cytology (for E.coli, staph or strep)
tx: cephalexin or clavamox: anti-inflammatories, local therapy

Question 17

acute puerperal metritis: CS, dx, tx

Answer 17

CS: depressed, fever, purulent vulvar discharge

dx: check lochia quality and color, abdominal assessment, CBC/chem, culture/cytology
tx: abx - start with amoxoicillin or clavamox

Question 18

hypocalcemia / puerperal tetany / “eclampsia”

Answer 18

• typically occurs in small breeds nursing multiple puppies
• generally occurs 1 - 4 weeks postpartum
• tx: IV calcium gluconate - slowly, may need to remove and hand raise pups

Question 19

sub-involution of placental sites (SIPS): cytology

Answer 19

fetal cells that live on and cause irritation and cuase mom to bleed prolonged hemorrhagic vulvar discharge

cytology: large polynucleated trophoblastic cells

if no systemic issues, can neglect the problem. if anemia occurs, OVH may be necessary

Question 20

feline dystocia =

Answer 20

rare

some breeds: devon rex, short and long headed/nosed breeds

Question 21

feline postpartum problems

Answer 21

similar to bitch in addition to postpartum uterine prolapse requiring medical or surgical management