Elective caesarean in bitch

Abstract

Elective caesarean in the bitch is a common procedure that is performed for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: fetopelvic disproportion (notably in brachycephalic breeds), poor whelping history, previous caesarean, inherent uterine disease, high-risk pregnancy, highly valuable puppies/bitches, frozen semen pregnancies, or owner convenience. To determine the best time for the caesarean, it is important to accurately identify expected whelping date, most commonly done by accurate ovulation timing, gestational ultrasound staging and progesterone assay of the bitch near term. To improve puppy viability, preterm corticosteroid administration stimulates surfactant production in fetal lung. One of the largest problems with elective caesarean, aside from fetal viability, is mismothering by the bitch. The risk of mismothering may be reduced by the use of prostaglandins to induce luteolysis and intranasal oxytocin administration to the bitch. Ovariohysterectomy at the time of caesarean section is not recommended.