Although many dogs give birth to puppies without any problems, there are also dogs that have difficult labor during labor, which is very painful and dangerous. As the saying goes, be prepared for danger in times of peace. Dog parents also need to learn the knowledge about dog dystocia to prepare for emergencies.

Canine dystocia refers to the fact that the female dog has difficulties during the delivery process and cannot successfully deliver the fetus. It is one of the common diseases during the delivery period.

For canine dystocia, when induction of labor fails, caesarean section is often used to save the lives of the mother dog and puppies.

However, caesarean section not only affects the female dog’s next pregnancy, but also greatly reduces the number of litters, and the economic value of the female dog itself is also reduced. Artificial assisted delivery is an effective measure to solve the problem of dystocia in female dogs.

Symptoms of dystocia in dogs

Usually the following phenomena indicate that dystocia may occur, and artificial midwifery should be prepared in time:

1. Abnormal fetal position or posture, such as only one leg entering the vagina;

2. Intense exertion for 20 to 30 minutes, but no expulsion of the fetus was seen; labor was weak, intermittent and lasted for 2 to 3 hours;

3. After the previous fetus was expelled, no further labor was seen for 4 hours (unless the labor was completed).

If the interval between fetal delivery is prolonged, it indicates that dystocia may occur, but a definite conclusion cannot be drawn. Because under normal delivery conditions, a fetus is delivered every 10 to 15 minutes, but when a dog is weak or its uterine contractions are irregular, it may take several hours to deliver a fetus.

Analysis of causes of dystocia in dogs

1. Dystocia caused by fetal factors

(1) Abnormal fetal position

That is, the improper position of the fetus, transverse, vertical, oblique, inferior, lateral, and abnormal fetal position, leading to obstruction of the birth canal and dystocia.

(2)Abnormal fetal development

Abnormal fetal development can easily cause dystocia. For example, macrosomic fetuses and malformed fetuses can easily cause obstructive dystocia. In addition, stillbirth can also easily cause dystocia in female dogs.

2. Dystocia caused by maternal factors

(1)Abnormal productivity

The main force of labor is uterine contraction, which runs throughout the entire delivery process, supplemented by the contraction of the diaphragm, abdominal muscles and abdominal wall muscles and the contraction of the levator ani muscle. If the birth canal and fetal factors are normal, the dilation of the cervix and the descent of the fetal head during uterine contractions play a decisive role.

Normal uterine contractions are rhythmic, symmetrical, and have corresponding intensity and frequency. If the uterine contractions lose their rhythm, symmetry, frequency and intensity, the symptoms will be weak or too strong uterine contractions, resulting in uncoordinated contractions.This leads to dystocia in the female dog.

(2) Abnormal birth canal

The birth canal is narrow, the cervix, vagina, and vulva are not fully expanded, and the pelvis is not fully expanded, resulting in dystocia. The bony birth canal includes the birth canal, pelvis, and soft birth canal (lower uterine segment, cervix, vagina). Any abnormality in the birth canal can cause dystocia, but clinically, bony birth canal abnormalities are more common.

(3) Dystocia caused by improper medication

Artificially assisted delivery of canine dystocia

1. Dystocia caused by fetal factors

(1) Improper fetal position

First, the fetal position is corrected. The assistant lifts the two hind limbs of the female dog. The operator injects 3 to 5 mL of paraffin oil or soybean oil into the vagina of the female dog. After disinfecting, the right hand is inserted into the vagina. The left hand cooperates outside the abdominal wall to push the fetus into the pelvic cavity and then corrects the fetal position. .

If there are other fetuses in the body, first push back the fetus behind the improperly positioned fetus to make room for correcting the fetal position. For horizontal, vertical, lower, side, and head-front positions, use both inner and outer hands to squeeze and massage in one direction. After the fetal position is corrected, insert your right index finger into the vagina for inspection.

If the cervix is ​​fully open, the fetal membranes are not ruptured, and the pelvis is normal, the fetal extrusion method can be used, that is, a large, hot and humid towel is tightly wrapped around the abdomen from the diaphragm and pelvic direction, and the female dog's uterus is squeezed while contracting. For the fetus, pull the fetus' head or buttocks with the index finger of your right hand and pull the fetus out. The assistant will pick up the vulva of the bitch and use the lubrication of grease to pull the fetus out. If it fails once, it can be repeated several times until it succeeds.

(2) Obstructive dystocia caused by excessive fetal size

First, a lateral incision is performed, and an incision is made 2 to 3 cm above the vulva to enlarge the caliber of the birth canal. When the fetus is close to the vagina, the surgeon uses his right hand to open the labia and expand it to both sides.

The assistant massages the uterus through the abdominal wall to promote regular contraction of the uterus. When the uterus contracts, press the abdomen to increase abdominal pressure. When the fetus is exposed to the vagina, the surgeon pulls the fetus with his left hand and pulls the fetus out.

(3) Stillbirth and malformed fetus

Fetal fragmentation is used to destroy the fetus, reduce its size and reduce labor difficulties.

The method is to use soapy water enema, routinely disinfect the vulvar birth canal, and inject 10 to 20 mL of paraffin oil or soybean oil. The surgeon inserts the right index finger into the vagina to determine the position of the fetus. The assistant cooperates with the surgeon outside the abdominal wall. After fixing the fetal neck, the surgeon withdraws the index finger from the outside of the vulva, and then uses the right index finger to insert a small hook with a diamond shape into the vagina. .

At this time, the assistant fixes the fetal neck outside the abdominal wall. The surgeon withdraws the right index finger 1 to 2 centimeters and hooks the fetal lower jaw with force. After checking with the index finger to confirm that the hook is solid, the surgeon pulls the fetal lower jaw out with force.

According to the above method, pull out the fetal skull, neck, forelimbs, etc. in sequence, and finally pull out the fetal pelvis. If there are many stillbirths, after pulling out all the stillbirths according to the above method, in order to prevent septic metritis and systemic infection, use 500 ml of normal saline, 120,000 units of gentamicin, and 1.6 million units of penicillin for vaginal cleaning.

2. Dystocia caused by maternal factors

(1) The birth canal is narrow, the cervix, vagina, and vulva are not fully expanded, and the pelvis is not fully expanded, resulting in dystocia. Most of the time, the delivery period has not yet arrived.

Although the female dog showed signs of labor, the cervix was not fully opened. Digital examination revealed that the boundary between the cervix and vagina had not disappeared, and the pelvis was not fully opened.

In this case, as long as the fetal position is normal, wait patiently. Perform a digital check every 30 minutes to determine the degree of cervical and pelvic dilation.

(2) When productivity is insufficient, abdominal pressure is insufficient, and uterine contractions are weak.

First, massage the abdomen and inject oil into the birth canal to lubricate it. Then apply 5 to 10 units of oxytocin to enhance uterine contraction. Then insert the right index finger into the birth canal, touch the head of the fetus, and pull the baby out during uterine contraction.

(3) Causes of dystocia caused by improper medication

First, oxytocin is used when the cervix or pelvis is not fully opened or the fetal position is abnormal, causing the uterus to contract strongly, eventually causing uterine paralysis. The second is uterine paralysis caused by excessive use of oxytocin.

In the above situation, the use of oxytocin should be stopped immediately, and then the abdominal wall should be massaged and hot compressed to promote blood circulation and return the uterus to normal. When the uterus contracts normally, a digital examination is performed to determine the cause of dystocia, and artificial delivery is performed to deliver the fetus.

The principles of artificial midwifery for bitches with dystocia are “clear diagnosis, lubrication first, then massage, correcting the fetal position, applying labor force, and slow traction.” Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken according to the specific situation of each dog. As long as the method is appropriate, artificial midwifery will be successful.

Reference: "Measures for Difficult Birthing and Artificial Assistance for Female Dogs", Niu Xiaoli, Nanchang Police Dog Base of the Ministry of Public Security