Whelping and dystocia

• Should rectal temperature drop before parturition?

  Rectal temperature is a good indicator of parturition, as the progesterone falls, the rectal temperature also falls. Parturition will occur around 1 and half days later.
• Is a green discharge normal?

  It can be. When the placenta detaches it produces a green discharge, so if parturition is occurring normally then this is a normal finding.

  However if the second stage of parturition has not occurred then this could indicate something is wrong.
• Can you do OVH for a pregnant animal with dead pups?

  Not opening the uterus and doing the spay will reduce the risk of contamination, however if the dam is ill then this could increase the risk of going under general anaesthesia. Also if you remove the uterus there will also be an impact on circulating blood volume and this could also carry risks.
• Primary uterine inertia

  Progesterone Dallas (stage of preparation).

  Uterine contractions commence (first stage parturition occurs but may be weak).

  Uterine contractions cease.

  Abdominal contractions do not occur (no second stage of parturition).
• What are the risk factors for primary inertia?

  Small and large litter sizes:

  • Small litter as there is a lower hormonal stimulus due to the lower number of pups, could also be due to the inability of the uterus to contract which could be caused bu hypocalcaemia (subclinical). Also if the bitch is unwell for other reasons.
  • Large litter as the uterus is to overstretched to contract effectively.
• What normal feature of pregnancy in dogs complicates the risk of primary uterine inertia?

  Normal pregnancy length in dogs is 62-65 days. This can vary due to a long potential fertilisation period due to the length of time sperm can survive in the reproductive tract, so if all you have is the breeding time then the bitch can appear to have a longer pregnancy.
• What management practices can be put in place to monitor primary inertia cases?

  Rectal temperature monitoring.

  Talking the breeder through looking for uterine contractions, behavioural changes, nesting ect..

  Proactively monitors during oestrus, like measuring progesterone to identify the time of ovulation to improve the accuracy of predicting when the parturition will occur.
• Normal litter size in the bitch - endoscopic appearance of cervix


  Day - 10

  • Os closed
  • Tacky clear mucous membranes

  Day - 7

  • Larger volumes of clear mucus
  • Vaginal wall oedema
  • Increased vascularisation of vagina.
• Appropriate clinical examination regime at term of pregnant bitch

  At the time of presentation of a presumed overdue bitch/ case of primary uterine interim/ obvious case of dystocia the following information may be helpful.

  • Mating dates and other information relating to oestrus.
  • General clinical examination
  • Digital/ endoscopic examination
  • Ultrasound examination
  • Radiographic examination
  • Measurement of plasma progesterone.
• If the bitch is not producing milk how can you treat this?

  No milk let dow:

  • Oxytocin - if the mammary gland development has occurred and the suspicion is that its associated with stress then giving oxytocin will allow the milk to be let down.

  If milk is not being produced in the first place:

  • Metaclopramide - this mimics prolactin (there are no prolactin products available), this will stimulate milk production
• Decision making in inertia

  Normal heart rate at term 170-230bpm

  • Or at least four times maternal
  • Transient increases with foetal movement.

  Heart rate less than 150bpm:

  • Indicates stress (hypoxia)

  Heart rate less than 130bpm

  • Poor survival if not delivered within 2 to 3 hours.

  Heart rate less than 100bpm:

  • Immediate (medical or surgical) intervention needed before the demise of the pups.
• Predicting parturition - progesterone concentration

  Onset of parturition is consistently 63 +/- 1 day from ovulation.

  • A variety of markers of ovualtion are clinically useful:
  • Progesterone ~ 2.5ng/ml at the LH surge
  • Progesterone ~ 7ng/ml at ovulation
  • Progesterone ~ 10ng/ml 2 days after ovulation
  • Progesterone ~ 25ng/ml at the end of the fertilisation period
• Predicting parturition - using embryo/foetal measurements

  Gestational sac diameter

  Head diameter

  • these measures are size/ breed specific.
• Predicting parturition - using embryo/foetal assessment

  Detection of specific characteristics of the pregnancy

  First appearance of the embryo proper.

  Regression of the yolk sac.

  Detection of organ development.
• Normal parturition - stages of preparation

  Progesterone declines.

  Rectal temperature falls.

  Vulval and perineal tissues relax.

  Nest making.

  Mucus vulval discharge.
• Normal parturition - first stage of parturition

  Onset of uterine contractions - bitch restless, pants, anorexic.

  Pup pushed against cervix - cervix dilates, outer membranes may breaks and will see fluid at the vulva.

  1-12 hours in durations.

  Milk present in mammary gland.