What is Dystocia? What is it deemed, and by what means can it be assisted in a dystocic bitch?
What is Dystocia?
Dystocia is defined as the inability of a dog to be low without human or veterinary assistance. It opposes Eutocia, which refers to a delivery that unfolds normally.
In the bitch, the Dystocie can translate by:
The absence of signs of parturition even though the bitch is eventually or exceeded an end,
a low bet abnormally long,
Unproductive and particularly painful contractions.
What are the possible causes of Dystocia?
Dystocies of maternal origin
Dystocies of maternal origin can find their origin in:
Primitive uterine inertia for which uterine contractions are insufficient to expel puppies. This can, in particular, occur in the case of large range or, on the contrary, when the bitch is only waiting for one puppy (single puppy syndrome).
secondary uterine inertia resulting from uterus depletion following prolonged and painful uterine contractions,
an abnormality of the uterine collar, the vulva or the mother’s basin,
Other causes like the stress of the mother, and obesity or the taking of certain medicines.
To note
The brachycephalic breeds (boxer, bulldogs, …) are more prone to Dystocia than other dog breeds.
Dystocies of fetal origin
It also happens that the dog is not able to expel its puppies if they present themselves in an abnormal position or when there is a disproportion between the size of the puppy and the genitals of the mother.
Dystocia: What are the possible treatments?
The treatment of the Dystocia depends on its origin.
It can sometimes be reduced to obstetric manoeuvres, in case of fetal imposition, in order to help the bitch to give birth to its small or medical treatment to stimulate uterine contractions.
But, often, the treatment of dystonia is surgical. The veterinarian must then resort to an episiotomy or a caesarean section.
