Page 1496 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Parturition, Normal 759

CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS DIAGNOSIS Nutrition/Diet
Brucella canis, canine herpesvirus (p. 466), Diagnostic Overview Administration of a calcium carbonate tablet
VetBooks.ir (parturient uterine fluids) during term Parturition is identified when a gravid dam is at the onset of parturition may increase the Diseases and Disorders
(e.g., Tums 1 tablet/30 lb of body weight PO)
and Coxiella burnetti can be shed in lochia
strength of uterine contractions and prevent
parturition, preterm parturition, and/or
at term gestation and is showing clinical signs
dystocia secondary to uterine inertia. However,
of labor and/or has begun delivering fetuses.
abortion.
administration of any calcium supplementation
GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONALITY Differential Diagnosis before parturition is contraindicated.
• With the exception of the basenji, bitches are • Abortion
nonseasonal, meaning that parturition occurs • Dystocia Behavior/Exercise
year-round. In the basenji, ovulation occurs • Pseudopregnancy Dams can have unrestricted exercise before and
only in October, and parturition associated • Premature birth during parturition.
with a resulting pregnancy occurs only in • Pyometra
December. Drug Interactions
• In contrast, queens are seasonal, long-day Initial Database • Aglepristone (Alizine) is not manufactured
breeders; estrous cycles cease during October • Pups or kittens are detected on abdominal in the United States but is approved for the
to December (Northern hemisphere) unless palpation. termination of pregnancy in cats and dogs
they are exposed to 14 hours of light (natural • Confirmation of fetal skeletons in the normal in most other countries.
and artificial). Parturition associated with position and not too large for dam’s bony • Oxytocin should not be used at dosages in
any resulting pregnancy can be expected pelvis: abdominal radiography after 42 days’ excess of those cited previously (0.15 IU/
about 65 days from breeding (February to gestation kg SQ q 2h). Higher dosages of oxytocin
December). • Abdominal ultrasound: fetal heart rates (>10 IU) cause placental vasculature constric-
should be > 180 beats/min. Sustained fetal tion and fetal hypoxia.
ASSOCIATED DISORDERS heart rates < 180 beats/min are associated
• Dystocia with fetal distress. Possible Complications
• Premature parturition If the bitch or queen has prolonged abdominal
• Abortion Advanced or Confirmatory Testing contractions without delivery of a fetus or
Tocodynamometry can be used externally to appears to be in constant intense pain, she
Clinical Presentation monitor uterine contractility. should be evaluated by a clinician (p. 278).
DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES
• Spontaneous TREATMENT Recommended Monitoring
• Induced • Clinicians can monitor the puppy or kitten
Treatment Overview delivery and be available to assist if needed
HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT • Goal: delivery of healthy puppies or kittens (e.g., dystocia occurs, fetuses experience
Bitch or queen is uncomfortable about 60 without compromising mother’s health distress).
days after breeding and may have a vaginal • Bitches and queens with normal parturition • Clinicians should make sure a placenta is
discharge. do not require any treatment or intervention. delivered after each fetus.

PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS Acute General Treatment PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME
• In the bitch, rectal temperature is normal • In normal, spontaneous parturition, treat-
to low normal (98°F-100°F; 36°C-37°C) ment is not needed. • Good if parturition is normal
in the hours before parturition and • For the induction of canine parturition at • Fair to guarded in cases of dystocia
increases to normal or slightly higher days 59-61 after estimated ovulation day,
than normal during parturition. In the aglepristone 15 mg/kg SQ once, followed PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS
queen, rectal temperature is normal to 24 hours later by oxytocin 0.15 IU/kg SQ
low normal (100.5°F-102.5°F; 37.8°C- q 2h until onset of parturition, is a safe and Comments
39.3°C), with additional variation based on effective protocol. • Because parturition is a normal process, it is
environment, body condition, and other • If parturition is not normal (dystocia appropriate for most females to deliver pups
factors. [p. 278]) or kittens at home in familiar surroundings.
• Respiration and heart rates are slightly However, for high-risk pregnancies or in
increased to normal. breeds prone to dystocia, scheduling an
• Uterine contractions may be visible through elective cesarean section may provide the
the abdominal wall. lowest maternal and fetal morbidity and
• Examiner may be able to palpate fetuses mortality rates.
transabdominally. • Oxytocin treatment should be used only if
the cervix is open, which can be assessed
Etiology and Pathophysiology only by vaginoscopy (p. 1184).
• Three stages of labor • Dark green vaginal discharge before the
○ Stage 1: cervical dilation, 3-6 hours delivery of any pups in the bitch is an indica-
○ Stage 2: fetal expulsion, 3-6 hours tion of premature placental separation. The
(depends on litter size) (see Video) bitch should be evaluated for fetal viability by
○ Stage 3: placental expulsion occurs abdominal ultrasonography and may require
at the same time or within minutes a caesarean section to remove viable fetuses.
of each fetal expulsion; however, two • Keeping a placenta in the freezer after delivery
fetuses and then two placentas may be can be useful if the dam rejects a newborn; it
delivered. NORMAL PARTURITION Tocodynamometer for can be thawed out (microwave), allowed to
• Dystocia may occur for a variety of reasons external measurement of uterine contractility in dogs cool, applied to the puppy, and then given
(p. 278). and cats. to the dam to eat (which she will). Then

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