Whelping and dystocia

Question 1

Describe the first stage of parturition

Answer 1

on set of uterine contraticon- generally cant be seen
fetus assumes disposition for expulsion

Question 2

Describe the second stage of parturition

Answer 2

Uterine contractions
fergusons reflex
fetus delivered

Question 3

Describe the third stage of parturition

Answer 3

Expulsion of the placenta

Question 4

What is the normal gestation of dog

Answer 4

63 days +1 day
but time of mating around ovulation is variable

Question 5

What occurs at the end of pregancy in dogs which can be used to determine parturition

Answer 5

decline in plasma progesterone -1.5 days before
decrease in rectal temp- 24 hours before

Question 5

Describe how we can assess if bitches cervix is open

Answer 5

via endoscopic examination

Question 6

what does fetal heart rate of less than 150 bpm suggest

Answer 6

indicates stress - hypoxia

Question 6

What is the normal fetal heart rate at term

Answer 6

170-230bpm

Question 7

what does fetal heart rate of less than 130 bpm suggest

Answer 7

poor survival if not delivered within 2-3 hours

Question 8

what does fetal heart rate of less than 100 bpm suggest

Answer 8

Immediate (medical or surgical) intervention to hasten delivery before demise of the pups

Question 9

what is the most common cause of dystocia in the dog

Answer 9

uterine inertia- failure of uterine contractions

Question 10

List 3 ways to manipulate fetal orientation in dogs

Answer 10

use gravity
use trans-abdominal pressure
use appropriate traction methods

Question 11

List 2 drugs we can give in cases of dystocia in dogs

Answer 11

oxytocin
calcium

Question 12

why does rectal temp come down before parturition

Answer 12

because progesterone decreases are is thermogenic

Question 13

what does a red-green discharge suggest in dystocia case in dog

Answer 13

placental separation

Question 14

If you have a 7 year old dog with dead puppies that isn’t going to breed again do we do c-section and spay at same time

Answer 14

very vascular- will loose significant blood volume- especially if already compromised
so not recommended

Question 15

What is the mechanism for the development of primary uterine inertia?

Answer 15

Onset of uterine contractions but pup not pushed into birth canal so abdominal contractions don’t start- so they aren’t delivered

Question 16

List 5 risk factors for primary inertia

Answer 16

small litter
large litter
old dam
obese dam
debilitated dam

Question 17

What normal feature of pregnancy in dogs complicates the diagnosis of primary inertia?

Answer 17

if bitch mated early- and has a long apparent pregnancy length due to variable ovulation time
makes it harder to tell when they are overdue

Question 18

Describe how to tell the difference between pregnancy and uterine inertia

Answer 18

measure plasma progesterone levels- if high pregnancy if low - parturition

Question 19

What management practices can be put in place to monitor possible uterine inertia cases?

Answer 19

clinical exam and US at month gestation- tells us if the dog is at risk of primary inertia
In US look at development of puppies- to decide roughly when ovulation occurred= more exact due date

Question 20

When it is clear that inertia has occurred but before the pups have died what treatment options are available?

Answer 20

Oxytocin
Calcium

Question 21

If you delivered pups with oxytocin but the bitch had no milk what treatment options would you consider

Answer 21

Drugs to stimulate milk production
e.g. Metaclopramide- agonist of prolactin

Question 22

Which day would you chose for an elective c-section in dog if you only have a date of mating?

Answer 22

Do based on changes in progesterone- but have to charge for this- which owners may not accept
Do based on clinical signs- e.g. rectal temp

Question 23

why do premature puppies often die

Answer 23

can’t breath because they don’t have enough lung surfactant