title: En bloc ovariohysterectomy as a treatment for dystocia in dogs and cats.
abstract: En bloc ovariohysterectomy, a technique that involves ovariohysterectomy before hysterotomy and removal of the neonates, was performed on 63 animals (37 dogs and 26 cats). Intraoperative complications were limited to 1 cat that bled excessively during surgery and was later found to have a clotting disorder. Postoperative complications included anemia that required blood transfusion in 3 cats, uroperitoneum in 1 dog, and death in 1 cat. The rate of neonatal survival (75% for dogs and 42% for cats) was similar to that documented by previous studies of medical and surgical management of dystocia. We concluded that en bloc ovariohysterectomy is a safe and effective alternative to cesarean section for surgical treatment of dystocia in dogs and cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Animal Medical Center, New York, NY 10021.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004420:Dystocia / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000662:veterinary; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies