Dystocia in the Bitch Epidemiology, aetiology and treatment

Dystocia in the Bitch. Epidemiology, aetiology and treatment Dystocia means difficult birth or inability to expel foetuses through the birth canal. The aetiology of dystocia may be maternal or foetal. Primary uterine inertia is the most common reason for dystocia in the bitch approaching 75 % of the cases. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the incidence of dystocia and to find causes of primary uterine inertia. Also the treatment regimes for bitches with primary uterine inertia were evaluated. An epidemiologic investigation was performed. A large animal insurance data-base was used which covered healthy as well as diseased animals over time. Incidence of dystocia and the frequency of caesarean section in affected bitches were calculated. The overall incidence of dystocia was 5.7 cases per 1 000 dog years at risk. The frequency of caesarean section in bitches with dystocia was 64%. The other three studies included healthy bitches and bitches with abnormal parturition and the hormonal concentrations were analysed. An increase i