Canine Dystocia: A Clinical Study of 60 Cases for Incidence, Risk Factors and Therapeutic Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.3.13Keywords:
Canine dystocia, Haemato-biochemical profile, Parturition, Uterine inertia.Abstract
Canine dystocia poses significant reproductive challenges in veterinary practice, often leading to maternal and fetal morbidity if not promptly addressed. This prospective clinical study investigated the incidence, predisposing risk factors, haemato-biochemical profiles, and therapeutic outcomes in 60 dystocia-affected canines. Maternal etiologies predominated (76.67%, n=46), with uterine inertia as the primary driver (primary: 32.61%, n=15; secondary: 67.39%, n=31), while fetal causes accounted for 23.33% (n=14), chiefly due to postural malalignments. Incidence varied markedly by demographics: young (<2 years) and geriatric (>6 years) animals exhibited elevated risks (45% and 47%, respectively), primiparous dogs comprised 66.67% of cases, and large breeds (e.g., Labrador Retrievers: 25%; German Shepherds: 18%) were disproportionately affected. Haematological and biochemical evaluations revealed normocytic, normochromic profiles with no significant deviations from physiological norms (p>0.05), including normoglycemia (85.47±9.49 mg/ dL) and normocalcemia (9.1±0.2 mg/dL). Therapeutic protocols combining intravenous 5% dextrose, calcium gluconate, and oxytocin yielded success in 65.22% of inertia cases (primary: 26.67%; secondary: 83.87%), while manipulative corrections resolved 71.43% of fetal dystocias. Overall, medical/manual management succeeded in 66.67% of instances, with 33.33% requiring Cesarean section. By delineating etiological patterns and optimizing protocols, this study informs evidence-based strategies to enhance reproductive outcomes in canine dystocia, potentially reducing neonatal mortality and breeder economic losses.
Downloads
References
Azab, A. E., Albasha, M. O., Jbireal, J. M., & El Hemady, S. Y. (2020). Haematological changes during pregnancy: Insight into anaemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. East African Scholars Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(5), 185–192.
Bawaskar, M. S., & Sahatpure, S. K. (2023). Haematological and serum biochemical alterations in uterine inertia affected bitches. Indian Journal of Canine Practice, 15(2), 124–126.
Bennur, S., Krishna Swamy, A., & Honnappa, T. G. (2001). Studies on causes and treatment of dystocia in canines. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 22(2), 184–186.
Bergström, A., Nødtvedt, A., Lagerstedt, A. S., & Egenvall, A. (2006). Incidence and breed predilection for dystocia and risk factors for cesarean section in a Swedish population of insured dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 35(8), 786–791.
Bergström, A., Fransson, B., Lagerstedt, A. S., Kindahl, H., Olsson, U., & Olsson, K. (2010). Hormonal concentrations in bitches with primary uterine inertia. Theriogenology, 73(8), 1068–1075.
Cornelius, A. J., Moxon, R., Russenberger, J., Havlena, B., & Cheong, S. H. (2019). Identifying risk factors for canine dystocia and stillbirths. Theriogenology, 128, 201–206.
Davidson, A., & Cain, J. (2023). Canine pregnancy, eutocia, and dystocia. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 53(5), 1099–1121.
Dimco, E., Abeshi, J., Lika, E., & Dhamo, G. (2013). Effect of pregnancy in hematological profile of dogs. Albanian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), 159.
Frehner, B. L., Reichler, I. M., Keller, S., Goericke-Pesch, S., & Balogh, O. (2018). Blood calcium, glucose and haematological profiles of parturient bitches diagnosed with uterine inertia or obstructive dystocia. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 53(3), 680–687.
Jakub, M., Marta, M., Jagoda, G., Kamila, G., & Stanislaw, G. (2020). Is unfavourable cervix prior to labor induction risk for adverse obstetrical outcome in time of universal ripening agents usage? Single center retrospective observational study. Journal of Pregnancy, 2020(1), 4985693.
Kumar, P., Krishnaswamy, A., & Walikar, A. (2018). Evaluation of treatment protocols for complete primary uterine inertia in female dogs. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 7(6), 661–664.
Linde Forsberg, C., & Persson, G. (2007). A survey of dystocia in the Boxer breed. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 49(8), 1–9.
Long, N. T., Huyen, N. T., Hang, N. T. N., & Phuong, N. T. (2022). Canine dystocia: The risk factors and treatment methods in dogs of Hanoi, Vietnam. World’s Veterinary Journal, 12(3), 290–295.
Lúcio, C. F., Silva, L. C. G., Rodrigues, J. A., Veiga, G. A. L., & Vannucchi, C. I. (2009). Acid-base changes in canine neonates following normal birth or dystocia. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 44(2), 208–210.
Mehrotra, S., & Ravidutt. (2009). Dystocia due to breech presentation of an oversized fetus in a bitch: A case report. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 30(2), 76–77.
Mila, H., Grellet, A., Feugier, A., & Chastant-Maillard, S. (2015). Topics in the routine assessment of newborn puppy viability. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 30(1), 16–21.
Murthy, N. (2011). Comparative evaluation of different methods of management of dystocia in dogs (MVSc thesis). Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, India.
Noakes, D. E., Parkinson, T. J., & England, G. C. W. (2018). Veterinary reproduction and obstetrics (10th ed.). Saunders, Edinburgh, Scotland.
O’Neill, D. G., O’Sullivan, A. M., Manson, E. A., Church, D. B., Boag, A. K., McGreevy, P. D., & Brodbelt, D. C. (2017). Canine dystocia in 50 UK first-opinion emergency care veterinary practices: Prevalence and risk factors. Veterinary Record, 181(4), 88.
Oluwatoyin, A. O., & Fayemi, O. E. (2011). A survey on cases of dystocia in bitch at southwestern Nigeria. Global Veterinaria, 6(1), 97–100.
Ortega-Pacheco, A., Rodriguez-Buenfil, J. C., Segura-Correa, J. C., Montesde Oca-González, A. R., & Jiménez-Coello, M. (2006). Prevalence of fetal resorption in stray dogs in Yucatan, Mexico. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 47(5), 266–269.
Polster, K. J. (2006). Research on the frequency, the causes and the treatment of dystocia in bitches (Doctoral dissertation). Department of Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
Reichler, I. M., & Michel, E. (2009). Dystocia: Recognition and management. Kleintierpraxis, 53(7), 434–446.
Romagnoli, S., De Souza, F. F., Rota, A., & Vannozzi, I. (2004). Prolonged interval between parturition of normal live pups in a bitch. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 45(5), 249–253.
Runcan, E. E., & da Silva Coutinho, M. A. (2018). Whelping and dystocia: Maximizing success of medical management. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 33(1), 12–16.
Vibha, & Raghuram, K. (2012). Medical management of primary uterine inertia in female dogs (PhD thesis). Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, India.
Wray, S., Jones, K., Kupittayanant, S., Li, Y., Matthew, A., Monir-Bishty, E., Noble, K., Pierce, S. J., Quenby, S., & Shmygol, A. V. (2003). Calcium signaling and uterine contractility. Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 10(5), 252–264.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
