Canine Parturition & Neonatal Care PDF

VTHT 2201 C A N I N E A N D F E L I N E C L I N I C A L M G M T. CANINE PARTURITION AND N EO N ATAL C AR E PARTURITION Whelping - giving birth to puppies Progesterone produced by CL throughout pregnancy Prostaglandin (produced by placenta) rises and induces contraction...

VTHT 2201 C A N I N E A N D F E L I N E C L I N I C A L M G M T. CANINE PARTURITION AND N EO N ATAL C AR E PARTURITION Whelping - giving birth to puppies Progesterone produced by CL throughout pregnancy Prostaglandin (produced by placenta) rises and induces contractions; drop in progesterone leads to parturition in 12-24 hrs Three stages of parturition Stage I- preparatory stage Stage II- expulsion stage Stage III- cleaning stage STAGE I – PREPARATORY STAGE Set up nesting area about a week before delivery 6-36 hours before birth = restless, panting Positioning of fetus for birth Dilation of cervix Temperature drops to 99F 24 hours before Stage II STAGE II - EXPULSION strong uterine contractions push pup into birth canal abdominal contractions visible deliver pup in 20-60 minutes; rest up to 2 hours between puppies Usually all pups delivered in 6 hrs, but large litter can take up to 24 hrs STAGE III – CLEANING STAGE Stage III – cleaning stage expulsion of placental membranes; dark green/black discharge is normal at this stage Stage III alternates with Stage II Pup- placenta, Pup- placenta OR Pup, Pup, Placenta, Placenta Expulsion of membranes is important; remaining remnants can lead to infection and death Involution of uterus  DYSTOCIA Difficulty giving birth Anxiety may cause delay in labor - many problems prevented by keeping mother calm and in a comfortable setting CALL FIRST - before whelping date arrives advise clients to ALWAYS call before rushing their dog to the vet clinic in the middle of whelping Click here for a video that demonstrates normal canine whelping and neonatal care. WHELPING INTERVALS Advise the veterinarian if client reports… 30 minutes or more of strong contractions without delivering a pup more than 2 hours of weak and infrequent contractions without delivering a pup resting for more than 2 hours since last pup was delivered and there is no sign of contractions POSTPARTUM Lochia (uterine discharge) normally persists for 4-6 weeks after parturition Should change from dark green/black discharge to a thin, reddish brown discharge within a couple of days of parturition Discharge persisting beyond 8 weeks should be evaluated Mother is BAR, good appetite POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS Retained placenta or retained fetus May lead to uterine infection - metritis Depression, anorexia, fever, decreased milk production Can develop systemic toxemia Require prompt diagnosis and treatment - antibiotics, IV fluids, may require surgery Pups cry if mother is depressed and not able to care for them Pups should be bottle-fed POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS ( P G. 2 ) Mastitis One or more mammary glands swollen, painful Pups are not gaining weight Mom may be depressed, neglect pups Treated with antibiotics Usually, pups can continue nursing Clip pup nails, ensure all teats are used for nursing Subinvolution of Placental Sites (SIPS)  POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS ( P G. 3 ) Eclampsia/Hypocalcemia/Milk Fever /Puerperal tetany Panting, restless, high fever, muscle stiffness - rapidly progresses to seizures Occurs at peak lactation (2-3wks); especially small breed dogs with large litters Requires emergency treatment - calcium gluconate IV slowly; follow up with calcium supplements and Vit D Hypoglycemia can occur concurrently – treat with IV dextrose Pups should be bottle fed Do NOT give mom high levels of calcium supplements during pregnancy - it makes puerperal tetany MORE likely Prevented with appropriate nutrition for pregnant/nursing mother High-quality puppy food, free feed Calcium administration during peak lactation Esp. pets that have previously had eclampsia  WORKING WITH NEWBORN PUPS Mom will usually do most of the work - assist as needed Sometimes, owner/vet team may have to open amniotic sac and pull membrane away from pup’s face Rub vigorously to stimulate pup Aspirate fluid from nose/mouth with bulb syringe Tie off umbilical cord and cut; apply Betadine to stump NEWBORN PUPS Healthy pup - warm, full tummy, twitches in sleep; nurses regularly Sick pup - chilled, limp, won’t nurse, OR crying constantly, crawling aimlessly Contact veterinarian if pups not gaining weight or earliest sign of a problem with pups or mom THRIVING NEONATES Observe mom with pups Should nurse every 1-2 hours; need to get first milk Dam will lick to stimulate urination/defecation Stools are formed, but soft Weigh puppies 1-2x daily to monitor progress Weight should increase 5-10% per day for first few weeks NEONATE PROGRESS Eyes/ears open ~10 days old - 3wks Start exploring around 3 weeks of age Wean around 4-6 weeks Reduce food for mom when weaning pups to avoid mastitis Deworm pups with Pyrantel at 2,4,6 weeks Deworm mom with Pyrantel after delivery, then every time pups are dewormed NEONATAL COMPLICATIONS Hypothermia Poor weight gain Dehydration Hypoglycemia Septicemia NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA Pups cannot maintain body temperature Environment 90F first week Environment 85-90F second week Environment 75-80F third week Cold puppies cannot digest food Week 1 95-99F Normal body temperature Week 2 & 3 97-100 F Normal body temperature When bottle feeding, milk must be warmed FEEDING ORPHAN PUPPIES Canine milk replacement formula Feed with... – pet nurser Heat needle in flame, use to make 1- 2 holes in nipple – feeding tube how-to video on placing a tube in a neonate (this is not test material) Large litters can be tube fed, if necessary FEEDING ORPHAN PUPPIES ( PG. 2 ) Always prepare formula per label directions - don’t alter ratio of formula to water All formula should be kept in refrigerator or freezer once container is opened. Only mix up enough formula for one day at a time to minimize bacterial growth - refrigerate Warm formula to 95F before feeding - NO HOT SPOTS! Burp puppy Stimulate urination/defecation by rubbing perineal region with warm, wet cotton ball  HOW MUCH MILK DO ORPHAN PUPPIES NEED? Simplify system for clients Better to feed smaller amounts more frequently Small breeds or small pups in litter need more frequent feedings Age of Pup # feedings per day # ml/ oz. body weight Birth -2 weeks 8-12 0.625 1-3 weeks 6-8 1 2-4 weeks 4-6 1.5 Label directions on commercial products advise feeding significantly more than pups actually need-overfeeding small puppies can lead to vomiting & aspiration WEANING PUPPIES Weaning at 4-6 weeks of age 2 parts water or milk replacer with 1part dry puppy food; allow to soak and form gruel At 5 weeks old, reduce the amount of liquid By 6 weeks old, pups are able to eat dry puppy food When separating pups from dam at 6 weeks for weaning, withhold food from dam for 1 day, then feed ½ normal ration the next day, then back to normal feeding schedule.