EFFICACY OF MISOPROSTOL TREATMENT ON EXPULSION OF DEAD FOETUSES RETAINED IN-UTERO

Abstract

A great challenge in canine obstetrics is averting a caesarean section particularly in a partially delivered litter
with one or two non viable foetuses remaining in utero. Response to routine medical management with calcium and
oxytocin in many of these delayed cases will be deficient. The efficiency and safety of misoprostol (PGE1) for
augmentation and completion of whelping in such dystocic dogs were studied. Nine of the ten dogs (90%) responded
to misoprostol administration, of which eight dogs experienced unassisted expulsion of foetuses and in one dog the
foetus was removed using whelping forceps. Induction of foetal expulsion with misoprostol reduced the rate of caesarean
section in dogs with partial uterine retention of dead foetuses.