Difficult labor in dogs is one of the most common problems during childbirth. It is a condition in which a female dog fails to deliver the fetus beyond the normal time of delivery. Difficult labor is a dangerous thing for dogs. The incidence of difficult labor in female dogs is closely related to the breed, and is generally more likely to occur in short-headed breeds. Family-bred dogs are more likely to have them than wild dogs (mainly due to lack of exercise). Menstruating dogs (virgin dogs) are more likely to occur than menstruating dogs (non-virgin dogs). Symptoms Dogs in difficult labor, usually with the following symptoms, should be ready for artificial assistance if found by the shoveler: 1. Abnormal fetal position or position, for example, only one leg enters the vagina; 2. Strong effort for 20-30min, but no fetal expulsion; Labor weakness, sporadic, lasting 2-3h; 3. After the previous fetal expulsion, no further labor is seen for 4h (unless labor is completed). If the interval between fetal deliveries is prolonged, it suggests the possibility of obstructed labor, but no definite conclusion can be drawn. This is because in normal births, a fetus is delivered every 10 to 15 minutes, whereas in dogs that are weak or whose uterine contractions are irregular, it may take several hours to deliver a fetus. The reasons why dogs have difficult deliveries are mainly caused by fetal factors and maternal factors. 1. abnormal fetal position, i.e. improper fetal position, horizontal, vertical, oblique, inferior, lateral, abnormal fetal position and blockage of the birth canal caused by obstructed labor. Response: Firstly, correct the fetal position by lifting the two hind limbs of the female dog, injecting paraffin oil or soybean oil 3-5mL into the vagina of the female dog, inserting the vagina with the right hand after sterilization, and pushing the fetus into the pelvic cavity with the left hand outside the abdominal wall, then correcting the fetal position. If there are other fetuses in the body, first push back the fetus behind the improper position to free up the position for correction of fetal position. For transverse, vertical, inferior, lateral, and head-front positions, the inner and outer hands cooperate well to squeeze and push in one direction. After the fetal position is corrected, the index finger of the right hand is inserted into the vagina for examination. If the uterine cervix is fully open, the fetal membrane is not broken and the pelvis is normal, the fetal extrusion method can be applied, that is, use a wide, wet hot towel wrapped tightly around the abdomen from the transverse septum and pelvis direction, squeeze the fetus while the bitch’s uterus is contracting, pull the head or rump of the fetus outward with the right index finger, and the assistant pick the bitch’s pubic door to pull the fetus out with the help of grease lubrication, if once is not successful, it can be repeated several times until it is successful. 2. Abnormal fetal development Abnormal fetal development can easily cause obstructed labor, such as huge fetuses and deformed fetuses are very likely to have obstructed labor, in addition to stillbirth is also likely to cause obstructed labor in female dogs. Response: a. When the fetus is too large for obstructed labor, first perform a lateral incision and cut 2 to 3 cm above the pubic valve to enlarge the caliber of the birth canal. When the fetus is close to the pudenda, the operator uses the right hand to peel back the labia and dilate with force to both sides. The assistant massages the uterus through the abdominal wall to promote regular contractions, and presses on the abdomen to increase abdominal pressure during uterine contractions. When the fetus exposes the pubic door, the operator pulls the fetus out by tugging on it with the left hand. b. In case of stillbirth and deformed fetus, fetal fragmentation is performed to destroy the fetus and reduce its size to make delivery less difficult. The operator’s right index finger is inserted into the vagina to determine the position of the fetus, and the assistant works with the operator outside the abdominal wall to fix the fetal neck, then the operator’s index finger is withdrawn from the vagina and a small hook with a diamond shape is sent into the vagina with the right index finger. At this time, the assistant fixes the fetal neck outside the abdominal wall, and the operator withdraws the right index finger 1~2 cm and hooks the fetal jaws with force, and then pulls out the fetal jaws with force after the index finger checks to make sure the hook is real. According to the above method, pull out the skull, neck and forelimbs of the fetus in turn, and finally pull out the fetal pelvis. If there are more stillborn fetuses, after pulling out all the stillborn fetuses according to the above method, in order to prevent septic uteritis and systemic infection, use 500 ml of saline, 120,000 units of gentamicin and 1.6 million units of penicillin for vaginal cleaning. The mother’s body factors caused by obstructed labor 1. labor force abnormalities labor force to the uterus contraction is the main, throughout the process of labor, diaphragm, abdominal muscle and abdominal wall muscle contraction and anal levator muscle contraction as a supplement. If the birth canal and fetal factors are normal, the uterine contractions play a decisive role in the dilatation of the cervical opening and the descent of the fetal head. Normal uterine contractions are rhythmic, symmetrical, and have a corresponding intensity and frequency. If the uterine contraction loses rhythm, symmetry, frequency and intensity, the uterine contraction will be weak or too strong, and the contraction will be uncoordinated, resulting in obstructed labor in the bitch. Response: If the labor force is insufficient, the abdominal pressure is not enough, and the uterus contraction is weak, firstly, the abdomen should be massaged and the birth canal should be lubricated with grease, secondly, 5-10 units of oxytocin should be applied to enhance the contraction of the uterus, and then the right index finger should be inserted into the birth canal to touch the head of the fetus and traction should be delivered during the contraction of the uterus. Abnormal birth canal Narrow birth canal, incomplete dilatation of cervix, vagina and pubic valve, and inadequate dilatation of pelvis cause obstructed labor. The bony birth canal includes the birth canal, pelvis and soft birth canal (lower uterine segment, cervix, vagina) Any abnormality of birth canal can cause obstructed labor, but clinically the bony birth canal is more common. Response: Difficult labor caused by narrow birth canal, incomplete dilation of the cervix, vagina, and pelvis, and inadequate dilation of the pelvis, is mostly due to the fact that the delivery period has not yet arrived. Although the bitch has signs of labor, the cervical opening is not fully opened, the boundary between the cervix and vagina is not disappeared, and the pelvis is not fully opened. In this case, as long as the fetal position is normal, wait patiently. Finger-check every 30 minutes to determine the degree of opening of the cervix and pelvis. The first is to use oxytocin when the cervix and pelvis are not fully opened or when the fetal position is not correct, causing strong contraction of the uterus and eventually causing uterine paralysis. Second, the use of oxytocin in excess causes uterine paralysis. Response: The use of oxytocin should be stopped immediately, followed by massage and hot compresses on the abdominal wall to promote blood circulation and restore the uterus to normal. When the uterus is in normal contraction, perform finger examination to determine the cause of obstructed labor and take artificial assistance to deliver the fetus. The principles of artificially assisted labor for difficult laboring female dogs are “clear diagnosis, lubrication first, pushing afterwards, correcting fetal position, lending labor strength and slow pulling”. Therefore, according to the specific situation of each dog, take corresponding measures, as long as the method is proper, artificially assisted delivery will be successful. Postpartum care 1. Dogs in difficult labor should rest adequately after the assisted birth, but after recovery of physical strength can be appropriate activities to promote the contraction of the uterus, dew discharge. If the weather is cold, pay attention to wind protection and warmth. 2. Postpartum dogs should pay attention to nutritional intake, in addition to replenishing and repairing the consumption and trauma of childbirth, they also need to provide the necessary nutritional sources for lactation to ensure milk secretion and health. Food should be nutritious and contain enough calories and water, and more protein and soupy food should be fed. Vitamin and iron supplements should also be taken as appropriate. Prevention The following measures can be taken for the prevention of obstructed labor: 1. Give reasonable nutrition to the bitch during pregnancy. Too good nutrition can make the fetus too large and difficult labor. For dogs with strong appetite can relatively control the amount of food, especially after 45 days of pregnancy, pay attention to adjust the nutrition of the bitch. 2. Pregnant bitches should have appropriate amount of exercise, which can enhance the physical fitness of the bitch and increase the force of delivery when the bitch gives birth to the dog. Reduce the fear of the bitch when giving birth to the dog. The bitch should enter the delivery room in advance before giving birth, so that she can be familiar with the birth environment and ensure that the production area is quiet. Note 1. Bitch with a history of difficult labor should try to accurately project the date of delivery to prolong the period of labor, strengthen care, and find difficult labor to assist in labor in a timely manner. 2. The breeder should establish a good relationship with the bitch during her pregnancy, and often take her for a walk outside, let her get more sunlight, prevent fright and prohibit beating. 3. When the delivery period is approaching, pet the bitch often and pay attention to the changes in the puppy’s too painful and mobile position. If general obstructed labor treatment does not work, send the dog to the veterinarian for treatment and perform a cesarean section. 4. When you encounter a bitch in difficult labor, do not do it yourself, so as not to cause adverse consequences, resulting in serious damage or infection of the mother’s birth canal, and at the same time, you will lose the best time to assist the birth correctly.
