Whelping and Dystocia Flashcards

1
Q

What is Dystocia?

A

Difficult birth

Life threatening for mother and offspring

5% of all pregnancy

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2
Q

Dystocia

Prevention

A

Breeding soundness examination

Good BCS

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3
Q

Dystocia

What breed is it more frequent in?

A

Brachycephalic - just do a C-section

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4
Q

Dystocia

What is important to determine? How?

A

Delivery date!

How:
LH surge: 65 +/- 2 days
Ovulation: 63 +/- 2 days
Fertilization: 60 +/- 2 days

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5
Q

What induces labor?

A

Increasing prostaglandin F2alpha and fetal cortisol

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6
Q

Small vs. large litters

A

Small: will have prolonged gestation, causing them to grow beyond normal size

Large: may shorten gestation (more cortisol produced b/c more fetuses)

Note cat gestation not effected by this

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7
Q

Progesterone and Labor

A

Late gestation: pregnancy maintained by progesterone level above 5 ng/mL

Is thermogenic; luteolysis lowers body temp to less than 99 => good way to know if she will be giving birth soon (within 24 hours) is if you take temps regularly

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8
Q

PGF2alpha and Labor

A

PGFalpha = luteolytic

Luteolysis will cause progesterone to drop to less than 2 ng/mL

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9
Q

What do radiographs at time of labor tell you?

A

Number of fetuses
Size of fetuses
Position

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10
Q

What is the most reliable method for assessing fetal stress?

A

Ultrasound

Fetal stress:
Low HR (less than 150)
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11
Q

Fetus Heart Rate

A

180 to 220 bpm

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12
Q

Fetus Heart Rate in Which Death is Imminent

A

100 bpm

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13
Q

Stage 1 Labor

Signs

A
Panting
Nervous
Restless
Nesting
Vomiting
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14
Q

Stage 1 Labor

Length

A

6 to 12 hours

Nervous first mothers usually have longer labor

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15
Q

Stage 1 Labor

If too long?

A

Potentially uterine inertia (not contracting)

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16
Q

Stage 2 Labor

What occurs?

A

Contraction of uterus

Visible abdominal straining

Green or clear fetal fluid (bright or dark red is abnormal)

Amniotic sac may be visible

17
Q

Stage 2 Labor

When should first puppy/kitten be delivered?

A

Within 4 hours

Once fetus is visible it should be delivered within 20 minutes

18
Q

Stage 2 Labor

When should entire litter be delivered?

A

Within 12 hours

19
Q

Stage 3 Labor
What occurs?
How long?

A

Passing of placenta
Shortening of uterus

Rest period of 1 to 2 hours

20
Q

Delivery; how long should you wait between puppies

A

Max 2 hours

If getting close to 2 hours need to intervene

21
Q

Uterine inertia:

Complete primary inertia (what is it)

A

Normal birth canal
No fetuses delivered
Uterine dysfunction

22
Q

What can cause uterine dysfunction?

A
Small litter and inadequate stimulation
Large litter and over distended uterus 
Systemic disease
Electrolyte imbalance
Fatty infiltration of uterus
Uterine age
Unknown
23
Q

Partial primary inertia

A

Normal birth canal
Some fetuses born
Uterus becomes fatigued

24
Q

Secondary inertia

A

Uterus exhausted due to obstruction to passage of fetus

Obstruction: 
Narrow pelvic canal
Large fetus
Abnormal presentation
Fetus malformation 
Vaginal septum or stricture
25
Q

Uterine inersia

Treatment

A

Caesarean section surgery required with complete primary inertia (sometimes with primary partial and secondary as well)

Surgery a must with more than 4 fetuses

Medical management:
Successful for about 27% of patients (IV fluids, dextrose, oxytocin) -> if 1-3 puppies remain

26
Q

Dystocia and Examining Mother

A

Ultrasound is best; check for fetal stress

Blood tests for PCV, TP, calcium, glucose

27
Q

Dystocia

Vaginal Examination

A

Sterile gloves and lubricant!

Check for:
Relaxation
Contraction
Presence of fetus at pelvic inlet
Try and extend neonate feet forward
28
Q

Repositioning Fetus

A

Rotate along long axis slightly to help pass through pelvic canal

Cautious using instruments to not hurt neonates or uterus

Can lift and rotate mother to help bring fetus into pelvic canal

Stimulate Ferguson Reflex

29
Q

What is the Ferguson Reflex?

A

Putting fingers into the pelvic canal stimulating contraction (body thinks its a puppy coming out) while simultaneously causing abdominal contraction

30
Q

Medications for Dystocia

First steps

A

Determine if in Stage 1 or Stage 2 uterine inertia/dystocia

31
Q

Medications for Dystocia

A

IV fluids to support BP
10% glucose for hypoglycemia
10% Calcium Gluconate for hypocalcemia (1 mL/4.5 kg body weight every 4-6 hours) – monitor HR
Low dose oxytocin following fluids, glucose, and calcium

32
Q

Medications for Dystocia

Precautions with Oxytocin

A

Initial dose 0.2 to 0.5 units per mother (canine or feline)

Maximum: 2 units or 3 doses

Wait 20 minutes between administration

Too much will get uterine contraction as a unit opposed to “waves”

33
Q

Caesarean Section Surgery
Dystocia
Cautions

A

Required when medical management is not feasible

Post-hemorrhage is concern
Oxytocin may be given to assist uterine involution

34
Q

Drugs for Caesarean Surgery

A

Pre-anesthetic oxygen

Glycopyrolate pre-anesthetic (low passing into placenta)

Propofol for induction (minimal effect on fetus)

Isoflurane

Oxytocin to promote uterine involution

Tramadol for pain control

35
Q

Drugs not to be given:

Preanesthetic (why)

A

Atropine

Relaxes maternal lower esophageal sphincter; causes regurgitation

36
Q

Drugs not to be given:

Sedatives (why)

A
Dexmedetomidine
Xylazine
Phenothiazine 
Ketamine
Barbiturates

Neonatal and maternal cardio-depressant and overall depressant

37
Q

Drugs not to be given:

Opioids (why)

A

Neonatal respiration

If given must be able to be reversed!

38
Q

Drugs not to be given:

Anti-inflammatory

A

NSAIDs

Impairs neonatal nephron development and hepatic function