Reproductive emergencies

Abstract

The emergency clinician is frequently called on to manage problems relating to the female reproductive tract. Because owners sel-dom have the medical knowledge needed to differentiate normal from abnormal reproductive behaviors, they frequently look to the emergency veterinarian for guidance and information during and after parturition. For this reason, it is essential that the veterinarian have a good understanding of the normal reproductive cycle as well as the common emergencies that may occur. This article reviews the events surrounding normal parturition in the dog and cat and the reproductive emergencies seen most commonly in practice.

Reproductive emergencies in the bitch: a retrospective study

“…Pyometra and dystocia have been reported to be the most frequent reproductive emergencies in bitches, followed by hypocalcemia, metritis, mastitis, uterine torsion and uterine prolapse (Biddle and Macintire, 2000;Jutkowitz, 2005).…”

“…Dehydration, toxemia, decompensated septic shock and death may occur. Severity of clinical signs is related to the deleterious effects of present bacterial endotoxins, on whether the cervix is "open" sufficiently to allow drainage of the uterine purulent fluid, and owner response to noting dog being ill (Jutkowitz, 2005;Kustritz, 2005;Pretzer, 2008a;Verstegen et al, 2008;Crane, 2009). Radiography and ultrasound imaging are valuable tools to aid in confirming diagnosis (Kustritz, 2010).…”

“…Primary uterine inertia is the most common cause of dystocia in bitches, followed by abnormal fetal presentation and posture (Jutkowitz, 2005;LindeForsberg, 2005;Smith-Carr, 2005;Kutzler, 2009). Dystocia rates in bitches have been reported to be around 5%, with some breeds such as the Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Scottish Terrier (Jutkowitz, 2005;Linde-Forsberg, 2005), Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier (Kustritz, 2010), Cocker Spaniel, Teckel andWelsh Corgi (Kutzler, 2009) being regarded as predisposed.…”

“…Dystocia rates in bitches have been reported to be around 5%, with some breeds such as the Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Scottish Terrier (Jutkowitz, 2005;Linde-Forsberg, 2005), Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier (Kustritz, 2010), Cocker Spaniel, Teckel andWelsh Corgi (Kutzler, 2009) being regarded as predisposed. Radiographic examination of the abdomen allows determination of fetal number, size, location, position, and may be useful in determining viability (Jutkowitz, 2005;Linde-Forsberg, 2005;Smith-Carr, 2005;Kutzler, 2009). However, abdominal ultrasound examination is the preferred tool for assessing fetal viability and stress (Jutkowitz, 2005).…”

“…Radiographic examination of the abdomen allows determination of fetal number, size, location, position, and may be useful in determining viability (Jutkowitz, 2005;Linde-Forsberg, 2005;Smith-Carr, 2005;Kutzler, 2009). However, abdominal ultrasound examination is the preferred tool for assessing fetal viability and stress (Jutkowitz, 2005). It has been suggested that 60 to 80% of bitches with dystocia will require cesarean section (Jutkowitz, 2005).…”