Towards scheduled pre-parturient caesarean sections in bitches

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Reproduction
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Elective caesarean sections (CS) are crucial for specific canine delivery situations.
• Timing is key to prevent emergency CS and fetal demise.
• Existing methods for predicting parturition have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a safe and convenient protocol for elective pre-parturient caesarean sections in bitches.
• To identify reliable predictors for optimal CS timing.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a specific anesthetic protocol.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing cytological dioestrus onset for parturition prediction.
• Monitoring progesterone (P4) levels as a predictor for CS timing.
• Implementing a specific anesthetic protocol (medetomidine, propofol, sevoflurane).
• Assessing maternal and puppy survival rates post-CS.

Main Results:

• Cytological dioestrus onset accurately predicts parturition.
• Progesterone levels (cut-offs: 15.8, 8.7, 3.18 nM) show promise in predicting parturition.
• The proposed anesthetic protocol demonstrated good maternal and puppy survival rates (99% at 57 days post-dioestrus).
• Hematocrit decline during CS indicates blood loss (approx. 7%).

Conclusions:

• Elective pre-parturient CS can be safely scheduled 57 days after cytological dioestrus onset.
• This protocol enhances convenience and reduces emergency CS and fetal loss.
• Further research is needed to validate safety across all breeds.