title: Neonatal clinical evaluation, blood gas and radiographic assessment after normal birth, vaginal dystocia or caesarean section in dogs.
abstract: This study aimed to standardize signs and diagnostic criteria of respiratory function in newborn puppies delivered normally or after dystocia and caesarean operation. A total of 48 neonates were allocated into groups: eutocia (n = 20), dystocia (n = 8), caesarean (c)-section (n = 20). Neonatal health was assessed using the Apgar score and body temperature was determined at 0, 5 and 60 min after delivery. Venous blood gases (pO(2) and SO(2)) was measured immediately and 60 min after delivery, and a thoracic radiograph was made between 0 and 5 min of life. The c-section group had significantly lower Apgar scores at birth and 5 min. Hypothermia was present at 5 min in the eutocia and c-section groups, and at 60 min in all groups. The eutocia group had an irregular respiratory pattern in 78% of puppies at birth, 27.7% at 5 min and 21% at 60 min compared with 87.5%, 62.5% and 12.5% of the pups in the dystocia group where there was irregular respiratory rhythm, moderate to intense respiratory sounds with agonic episodes. The c-section group had respiratory alterations in 70%, 45% and 16% of puppies at 0, 5 and 60 min, respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 17% of the pups in the eutocia group, 25% of the pups in the dystocia group and 30% of the pups in the c-section group, respectively. The c-section group had significantly lower SO(2) values at 60 min than at birth. All puppies had hypoxaemia, but a significant decrease was observed in the c-section group. Newborn puppies had tissue hypoxia and irregular respiratory pattern at birth. Caesarean-section puppies had lower vitality; however, all developed satisfactory Apgar scores at 5 min of life, regardless of the obstetric condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: L C G
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lúcio
authors.forename: G A L
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Vannucchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D004420:Dystocia / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration