Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stillborn mixed-breed puppy with cleft lip and palate
By Bernard, Megan E et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2024·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Craniofacial malformations in a stillborn mixed-breed dog as a cause for dystocia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A mixed-breed dog in labor was brought to the vet because she was having trouble delivering her puppies. During an emergency C-section, the vet found two puppies, one stillborn with serious facial deformities like a cleft palate and cleft lip, and another that was alive but also had a cleft lip. The issues with the puppies' faces likely caused the mother to have difficulty with contractions, leading to the dystocia (trouble giving birth). Unfortunately, one puppy did not survive, but the other was delivered alive.
People also search for: why is my dog having trouble giving birth · mixed-breed dog dystocia · cleft palate in puppies · emergency C-section for dogs
Abstract
This case report describes the findings of craniofacial anomalies associated with dystocia in a mixed-breed bitch. A bitch in labour was presented for evaluation of dystocia, and an emergency caesarean section was performed. Two pups with craniofacial abnormalities were delivered by hysterotomy. One pup was stillborn, with congenital anomalies including palatoschisis (cleft palate), cheiloschisis (cleft lip), an open fontanelle, and a narrow teardrop-shaped skull. The second pup was delivered alive and had cheiloschisis. Craniofacial malformations are a reported cause of dystocia in the dog, usually due to obstruction. However, dystocia in the reported case is presumed to have developed because the pup's craniofacial malformations prevented stimulation of uterine contractions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe craniofacial abnormalities affecting 100% of the litter and is the first known report to describe the relationship between craniofacial abnormalities and presumptive primary uterine inertia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39258534/