title: Effect of intrapartum fetal stress associated with obstetrical interventions on viability and survivability of canine neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted with the objective of identifying and evaluating intrapartum fetal stress in connection with the type of delivery in bitches.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 26 bitches between 1 and 5 years, belonging to 10 different breeds were evaluated. Bitches were subjected to detailed clinico-gynecological examination based on history. Neonatal stress associated with spontaneous whelping (SW), assisted whelping (AW), and emergency cesarean section (EC) was evaluated using umbilical vein lactate (UL) estimation by collecting the blood from umbilical vein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high umbilical vein lactate value was associated with fetal distress. The mean umbilical lactate value was highest in EC (12.54±0.8 mmol/L) followed by AW (8.86±0.9 mmol/L) and the lowest value was found in SW (7.56±0.58 mmol/L). A significant increase (p<0.05) in umbilical lactate level was observed in EC group of canine neonates compared with AW and SW groups. Overall mean umbilical lactate values of neonates which died within 24 h (13.31±1.08 mmol/L) and the neonates which survived beyond 24 h (8.87±0.55 mmol/L) differed significantly at 5% level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate identification of neonatal distress by use of umbilical vein lactate estimation is helpful for the clinician to undertake resuscitation or medical therapy to ensure better neonatal survivability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Karthik V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Kuttan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Metilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Shibu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: K N Aravinda
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Anish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajan
keywords: canine neonates; neonatal stress; umbilical lactate