Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Medical management tips for difficult dog births and whelping success
By Runcan, Erin E & Coutinho da Silva, Marco A·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2018·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Whelping and Dystocia: Maximizing Success of Medical Management.
Plain-English summary
A dog experiencing difficulty giving birth, known as dystocia, can be a serious emergency, especially in small or brachycephalic breeds. This condition often occurs when the puppies are too large or if labor is delayed, which can lead to higher risks for both the mother and her pups. If a dog is in labor for more than six hours without delivering any puppies, the chances of stillborn pups increase significantly. It's crucial for pet owners to seek veterinary help quickly if they notice their dog struggling to give birth, as timely medical or surgical intervention can improve outcomes for both the mother and her puppies.
People also search for: dog difficult birth · dystocia in small breeds · emergency vet for dog labor issues
Abstract
Dystocia can be defined broadly as "difficult birth" or more specifically as difficulty in the bitch expelling the pups through the cervix, vagina, and vestibule. It is a fairly common emergency presented to the small animal practitioner with an incidence rate of approximately 5%. The incidence of dystocia is highest in toy and brachycephalic breeds, and occurs frequently in small litters (<3 pups) due to fetal oversize and delayed onset of labor. As duration of labor progresses, the mortality of the pups and even the bitch increases, with the highest number of stillborn pups occurring after 6 hours from the time of active parturition. Practitioners should understand the mechanism of normal parturition so that abnormalities can be readily identified and medical or surgical intervention performed in a safe and timely manner.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29793723/