Retrospective Analysis of 193 Cases of Obstetrics Assistance in Singleton Pregnancies in Bitches.

The aim of this study was to analyze the 193 cases of obstetrics assistance in singleton pregnancies in bitches. The female dogs were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. The 164 bitches in group A experienced spontaneous labor that was interrupted due to dystocia. They underwent either conservative obstetrical intervention (pharmacological and/or transvaginal fetal extraction) or surgical intervention (emergency caesarean section). In contrast, the 29 bitches in group B showed no signs of labor, and an elective caesarean section was performed either because of prolonged pregnancy and/or prevention of birth complications in brachycephalic bitches. Most of the investigated bitches were of the small dog breed (i.e. Miniature Pinscher and Dachshund) and mongrel breeds. Age of the females ranged from 12 months to 16 years, but the majority of the animals (58 bitches – 30.1%) were 8 years of age or older. Only in the 129 cases (66.8%) the date of the first mating was confirmed. It is noteworthy that in 74 cases (57.4%), gestation lasted 68 days or longer. From Group A (n = 164), where the onset of delivery was spontaneous and dystocia occurred, the newborn death was reported in 131 cases (79.9%), including 50 cases of macerated fetuses in the advanced state of decomposition. On the contrary in Group B (elective caesarean section) dead fetuses were obtained only in 5 females (17.2%). Based on our data, two main conclusions can be drawn. First, in bitches with singleton pregnancies, waiting for spontaneous labor leads to very high puppy losses. Second, elective caesarean section – performed even before the onset of labor – is the best approach for managing such cases.