Medical treatment of prolonged uninfected fetal retention in a French bulldog

Abstract A 3‐year‐old primiparous French bulldog was presented with the history of sanguineous vaginal discharge, having whelped six healthy pups 70 days previously. Trans‐abdominal ultrasonography revealed distorted non‐viable fetus. Haematological and plasma biochemical estimations were within normal limits and plasma progesterone level was less than 0.5 ng/mL, which, in association with vaginal cytological examination, indicated the animal to be in anoestrus. Consequently, whelping‐induction protocol using mifepristone and misoprostol in divided doses of 2.5 and 0.5 mg/kg orally twice a day for 4 consecutive days, was administered. On day 77 post‐whelping and following ample lubrication, dead male, completely preserved fetus was delivered using traction. Hitherto, it has been established that an active feto‐maternal placental interface is required for prostaglandin secretion and fetal expulsion. However, in present case, in the absence of functional luteal source and an unaltered calcium level, the progesterone signalling disruptor in conjunction with the PGE 2 analogue has commanded a successful whelping.