How to Understand Canine Dystocia the Common Birth Difficulties in Dogs

When a female dog gives birth to her litter of puppies, she may experience one or more Canine Dystocia birth complications, which the veterinary community refers to as canine dystocia. Examples of canine dystocia include labor that is stopped, an obstructed puppy, a misrepresentation, etc.

The majority of dog breeders go through their litter one at a time without ever having a female dog face such difficulties during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. In general, nature takes care of everything, and dogs are quite good at handling little problems on their own. However, it is possible that one day one of your females may either give birth to her puppies later than intended or not at all.

If you intend to breed dogs, you should be aware of the many dog birthing complications in order to better prevent them and take immediate action if you see any symptoms or indicators. The umbrella term “canine dystocia” includes a variety of quite diverse childbirth problems, which we’ll go into more depth about below.

What is Canine Dystocia?

A difficult or unusual puppy birth is referred to as canine dystocia. Dystocia can develop from either the dam or the puppies when it happens. Normally, a dam’s pregnancy lasts 63 days; toy breeds have somewhat shorter pregnancies than bigger breeds do, and vice versa.

In an effort to determine the day labor starts, some breeders start checking the dam’s temperature two weeks prior to the anticipated due date. The typical body temperature of a dog is 101–103 °F. Labor can start 24 hours after the temperature of a dam lowers to 99 °F or below.

There are three stages of labor.

• The initial step takes the longest. As the first contractions come on, the delivery canal enlarges and thins. The dam could be restless and exhibit behaviors associated with nesting, such as looking for or making a location to give birth.
• Contractions should become more intense and, in most cases, visible during the second stage. The dam will shiver, pant, and maybe vomit since it is clearly uncomfortable.
• The placentas of the puppies are ejected in the third stage, which often follows the second.

Any of the three phases are susceptible to issues. Dam-related issues account for over 60% of dystocia instances. The length of labor varies according to the dam and the breed. Usually, dams that have had previous litters have shorter labors.

The length of time a dam should be allowed to give birth before the vet is summoned varies across sources. Most people will concur that a dam that has clearly labored with noticeable contractions for more than 12 hours without a whelping should be contacted by the veterinarian.

Puppy-related dystocia typically signifies that a puppy is positioned incorrectly, there is a dead puppy present, or the birth canal is too narrow to pass a huge dog. Some toy and petite breeds frequently give birth to puppies whose heads are too big to fit through the birth canal. These issues are identified with the use of ultrasound or X-ray technology.

Different Types of Birth Difficulties

The following is a summary of the most prevalent forms of dystocia that can occur in a female in labor during the whelping of her puppies. Most veterinarians consider these to be reproductive crises, as brilliantly demonstrated in Jeanette Yamamoto’s presentation for the Animal Specialty & Emergency Center (PDF here).

Uterine Insufficiency (Also Known As Inertia)

Uterine insufficiency or inertia is one difficulty a dam may have. The dam has too few efficient contractions at this time. Uterine insufficiency is divided into major and secondary kinds by veterinarians.

• The dam does not start active labor in the first round. To put it another way, although the dam’s behavior and a temperature decrease suggest that labor should be in progress, no puppies are actually whelped.
• When the dam starts having labor contractions that are powerful but subsequently weaken or become too sporadic to birth all the puppies, this condition is known as secondary uterine insufficiency. No pups are born in cases of main uterine insufficiency, although this is possible in cases of secondary insufficiency.

If the subsequent puppy has not been whelped after four hours, a veterinarian should be contacted. Uterine insufficiency or a puppy issue might prevent the puppy from developing normally. Between 40 and 70 percent of dystocias brought on by mothers are due to uterine insufficiency.

Uterine Infection

The puppies will frequently get an infection from the uterus. Puppies can be born unwell or even be killed in utero (stillbirth). The severity and course of therapy for the illness will depend on the type of infectious agent.

The bacteria Brucella canis is the source of the infection known as brucellosis. This infection has been linked to stillbirth, late-term abortion, miscarriage, and severely unwell pups. It is an infection that is nearly incurable. Because people can also contract it from dogs, it is normally put to death when it is detected in dogs. Prior to mating, the bitch and stud dog should both undergo a brucellosis screening test.

Salmonella and mycoplasma infections are among the other microorganisms. Antibiotics are able to treat these. Sadly, they might not have made a bitch sick enough for mating purposes. Sometimes the infection is not discovered until it results in a late-term abortion or the death of a puppy in utero.

Viral infections can exist in dogs. A stillbirth might result from the canine herpes virus. This is a canine sexually transmitted illness. Adult dogs may have minimal signs or none at all. In fact, the stress and effort of pregnancy may awaken an illness that has lain latent. Infected puppies will be born. The virus will destroy their livers even if they are whelped and seem healthy. The pups will pass away in a few days. This infection has no known treatment.

Birth Canal & Reproductive Tract Issues

Instability in the dam’s reproductive system might prevent whelping. A congenitally tiny pelvis or a pelvic injury that did not heal properly are two examples of these obstacles. Infertility as well as whelping can be brought on by cysts and tumors, both benign and malignant.

These issues might be in the uterus, vagina, or any other region of the reproductive system. The tightness of the vagina is caused by adhesions or growths called vaginal strictures. The puppies’ development might be hampered by them. The birth canal may also be pushed upon and blocked by an inguinal (abdominal) hernia.

When the uterus twists on its axis, it is said to be in torsion. Either there is insufficient fetal fluid or there has been trauma (such as a fall), which is why it occurs. The loss of the pups and the dam may be caused by the fetuses’ lack of protection and the torsion itself. The dam will be feverish and release a foul odor. C-section is used to treat it.

Toxemia

A reduction in blood calcium occurs after birth or a few weeks after whelping and leads to toxicity, often known as preeclampsia or milk fever. The situation might become critical and result in the dam’s death as well as the unborn puppies’ deaths.

The dam will have an abrupt increase in blood pressure, and if it is not treated, it will die from renal failure and convulsions. Toxemia is characterized by stiff limbs, tremors, muscular spasms, increased salivation, and panting.

The syndrome is precipitated by low blood calcium, although high dietary calcium supplementation during pregnancy predisposes the dam to the disorder, which is vital to understand.

Gestational Diabetes

Although it occurs far less frequently in dogs than in people, dogs do get diabetes. Dogs with diabetes (hyperglycemia) can have one of two forms. One is brought on by the pancreas’ inability to generate enough insulin for metabolism due to a congenital abnormality. Diabetes with insulin resistance disease is the second kind.

The pancreas does not respond in this situation to a circumstance that causes the cells’ need for glucose to rise. One example of the latter is gestational diabetes. The bitch will resume her regular behavior after the stressor (such as pregnancy) is passed.

A pregnant dam with gestational diabetes could look tired and thirsty all the time. She could eat excessively, lose weight, and have urine that smells pleasant. Both the mother and the puppies may pass away as a result of gestational diabetes.

Meal planning and insulin shots are effective treatments. Overall, it is quite uncommon in dogs. The danger appears to be higher in some breeds, such as Samoyeds, Cairn terriers, and Dachshunds.

Malpresentation

Breech does not always imply malpresentation in dogs. A whopping 40% of pups are born with their tails first. A puppy that has stretched a limb to create an obstacle or that is standing sideways would both be considered malpresentation. A veterinarian might occasionally be able to move the puppy manually. Using lubricant, a veterinarian might be able to introduce fingers into the birth canal if it has been totally thinned and dilated. The singletons that are more prevalent in toy breeds may be too big for the birth canal.

Dead Fetus/Defects In Fetus or Puppy

A dead fetus can prevent labor from starting in the dam. A fetus may occasionally pass away mysteriously. Only 1% of dystocia caused by pups comes from a deceased fetus.

The delivery of the other pups might be put in jeopardy by the presence of a dead fetus. A genetic flaw can be a one-time mutation or it might be an issue with the dam’s or sire’s genetic makeup. It may be necessary to withdraw the bitch from the breeding program if a fault reappears with a new sire.

Causes of Dystocia in Dogs

The frequency with which various types of dogs—including small and toy breeds, overweight dogs, and brachycephalic breeds—are diagnosed with birthing issues provides evidence that the reasons of canine dystocia listed below are valid.

A breed of dog or a specific female dog may have dystocia and labor problems more frequently than others for a variety of reasons. Even if poor luck can occur, as it does in other aspects of life, you can usually pin down a handful of significant causes for dystocia.

Age

Older dams are more likely to have certain disorders that cause dystocia. Infection is more common in older dams. A bitch carries the danger of contracting an illness every time she mates, but the greater infection incidence is not a cause in and of itself.

Additionally, a few obstructive issues progress with time. An older bitch is more prone to have reproductive tract tumors. The older the dam, the higher the risk of both secondary uterine insufficiency and gestational diabetes. Pregnant women who are older are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.

The likelihood of genetic or congenital issues in the progeny is increased in older bitches and studs. The frequency of fetal mortality and the problems in pups that lead to dystocia increase when sperm and ovum quality deteriorates.

A bitch’s chance of developing dystocia is also increased if she is bred at an early age or before she is fully mature. Most breeders wait to breed a bitch until she has experienced at least two heat cycles. Birth abnormalities, preterm, and smaller, sicklier puppies are all more likely to result from immature eggs.

Obesity

A dam who is obese is more likely to develop gestational diabetes and may have trouble recognizing the start of active labor. Before dystocia is noticeable, a long period may have passed.

A delay in action might result in the death of puppies and jeopardize the dam’s life. Prior to breeding, a bitch has to be in excellent physical condition. Dieting is not advised during pregnancy.

Brachycephalic and Toy Breeds

Breeds like Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Boxers, which have huge heads and short muzzles, have surgical delivery rates that are so high that c-sections are usual. The majority of English bulldog puppies are delivered surgically. These breeds can’t whelp naturally in a secure manner. Simply put, the birth canal is too small. Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, two toy breeds, have high surgical delivery rates.

Environmental Stress

In fact, sudden changes to a dam’s surroundings prior to her going into labor may frequently result in a birth that is more challenging than usual. Prematurity or other dystocia is more likely to occur if a dam is subjected to some type of environmental stress.

Some dams are more tense and anxious than others. The last weeks of pregnancy are not the best time to move the dog’s housing, subject it to harsh temperatures, or bring in a rival dog.

Premature labor can cause stillbirths and the demise of an entire litter. Additionally, pressures in the environment raise the risk of gestational diabetes in the dam.

When discussing canine dystocia and delivery challenges, it is important to take into account aspects including age, obesity, size, brachycephalic breeds, and environmental stress.

Because of this, we strongly advise you to put up your female dog’s whelping box as early in her pregnancy as possible, ideally in a peaceful area of your home where kids aren’t often present.

Breeds With Birthing Difficulties

Breed-specific cesarean delivery rates provide an excellent overview of which breeds have the greatest prevalence of dystocia.

The frequency of c-sections was examined in a 2004 research of more than 151 breeds involving more than 13,000 heifers. The following 10 breeds had the greatest percentage of c-sections:

1. Boston Terrier (92.3%),
2. Bulldog (86.1%),
3. French Bulldog (81.3%),
4. Mastiff (64.6%),
5. Scottish Terrier (59.8%),
6. Miniature Bull Terrier (52.4%),
7. German Wirehaired Pointer (47.8%),
8. Clumber Spaniel (45.2%),
9. Pekingese (43.8%), and
10. Dandie Dinmont Terrier (41.4%).

The delivery of toy breeds that are bred to weigh less than 3 pounds usually requires surgery. You may find statistics on the prevalence of cesarean sections in other dog breeds as well. More than one-third of Chihuahuas require them.

Prevention of dystocia

Prior to mating, a bitch must be healthy for a successful whelping to occur in which the dam and puppies emerge unscathed and without the need for surgical delivery. The finest results start with a healthy bitch who is neither too old nor too young.

She and the stud should both have the necessary immunizations and screenings. She ought to eat well and maintain excellent health. A few weeks before the expected due date, the dam should be brought to her whelping box. Her surroundings should be as stress-free as possible, and she should be allowed time to become used to it.

The likelihood of dystocia can be decreased by, among other things, being well-informed. Some breeders may take two temps a day during the last two weeks of pregnancy or will ask the vet to check the progesterone levels to assist them determine when labor should start.

An owner can find out how many pups to anticipate in the litter and get an idea of the size and viability of the puppies by having an x-ray or ultrasound performed in the final two weeks of pregnancy. Health issues including gestational diabetes and eclampsia can be detected and treated early with the use of blood chemistry.

Treatment & Recovery of Canine Dystocia

Canine dystocia treatment is based on the underlying cause. It’s possible that an antibiotic may totally cure a miscarriage brought on by the development of some bacterial infection. It might never happen again.

It is possible to control an obese bitch’s food and keep her lean for the following performance. It’s possible to operate to remove a benign cyst. However, future litter with shorter labors may be problem-free. A dam may have secondary uterine insufficiency in her first litter.

Intravenous oxytocin injections can be used by a veterinarian to treat uterine insufficiency. Contraction is induced by this hormone. In order to make sure that there are no delivery-related blockage issues, a veterinarian will carefully inspect the animal.

A malpositioned puppy may suffer harm as a result of the hormone’s forceful contractions in the dam. The dystocia emerging from the dam is most frequently caused by uterine insufficiency. Future litters are likely to see another instance, particularly in older or middle-aged fawns.

Additionally, gestational diabetes is prone to return in subsequent litters. During pregnancy, a bitch should maintain high-quality food, keep her weight under control, and make little alterations to her surroundings.

If a dam is middle-aged, he or she should preferably be retired from the breeding program. Although most cases of diabetes go away after pregnancy, there is a persistent chance that it won’t as the woman becomes older.

An effort should be made to identify the cause of death in cases when a puppy dies in utero or soon after birth. For following litters, knowing this information is essential to avoid a repeat. For instance, some diseases, like brucellosis or canine herpes, cannot be treated and will continue to kill off puppies in successive litters.

With a diagnosis of these illnesses, the bitch should regrettably not be bred. While a birth defect like an irregular heartbeat in a baby might only occur once, if it has occurred repeatedly in the bloodline, it may be necessary to reevaluate the breeding stock.

It is almost impossible to completely eliminate breed-related dystocia. When it comes to a breed like the English bulldog, a veterinarian might not even advise trying a normal birth. If the stud is smaller than the bitch when choosing studs for toy dogs, it may reduce the likelihood of a c-section.

Breeding “teacup” toys increase the likelihood of birth defects, gestational diabetes, and pups that are excessively big for the birth canal. A higher risk of adverse effects and anesthesia-related mortality exists in these little canines.