ABSTRACT
Fetal depression following dystocia and Cesarean section has two primary causes; the first (and often most important) cause is hypoxia, and the second is depression from anesthetic agents given to the dam. Resuscitation efforts should be provided in the following order: warmth, airway, breathing, circulation, and drugs. Adequate time should be allowed for correction of hypoxia using ventilatory and circulatory support before drugs are used, with the exception of drugs given to reverse anesthetic and analgesic agents that were given to the dam prior to delivery of the neonates.
Subject(s)
Animals, Newborn , Resuscitation/veterinary , Algorithms , Animals , Cat Diseases/therapy , Cats , Cesarean Section/adverse effects , Dog Diseases/therapy , Dogs , Hypothermia/prevention & control , Hypothermia/veterinary , Respiration, Artificial , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy , Respiratory Insufficiency/veterinaryABSTRACT
If medical management of dystocia has failed or is inadvisable, a Cesarean section is indicated. The necessity of surgery is primarily based on the condition of the dam, progression of labor, and fetal heart rate. Timely intervention is crucial for optimal fetal and maternal survival. Surgical technique may vary, based on the needs of each individual case. There are many options for each portion of the surgery, including the choice of anesthetic protocol, abdominal approach, uterine incision location, and post-surgical pain management. Indications for surgery and some of the options for each step of the procedure are presented. Episiotomy is rarely used to treat dystocia and therefore, it is discussed only briefly.