parturition During the last week of pregnancy the

parturition During the last week of pregnancy, the best sign of impending parturition in the bitch is the marked drop in rectal temperature

Clinical case • • Mixed, 10 -year-old 37. 2 ºC Mated 66 days ago Depression, anorexia, brown discharge was seen around vulva • C-section was suggested by the local vet. • Ultrasound: 2 puppies with about 150 heart beats/ min • Radiology

Parturition Progesterone Parturition within 12 hours

Parturition Progesterone Estrogen

Fetal maturation Fetal hypothalamus Parturition Cortisol Fetal pituitary ACTH Relaxin Adrenaline Decrease in placental P 4 Fetal adrenal Adrenal corticosteroids Feto-placental estrogens Luteolysis of the CL of pregnancy Decrease in serum P 4 ? Cotyledons/ myometrium Release of PGF 2 Relaxation and softening of cervix pelvic ligaments, perineum Abdominal straining Myometrial contractions Increased myometrial excitability Oxytocin Posterior pituitary Expulsion of fetus Stimulates vagina and cervix

Mare Sow Cow Ewe Bitch Queen

Normal pelvic position 頭 尾 Pelvic position during abdominal press and expulsion 1. Sacro-pubic pelvic inlet diameter does not enlarge 2. Vertical pelvic diameter is almost as large as sacro-pubic pelvic inlet diameter during the abdominal press 3. The height of the pelvic outlet remains about the same during the abdominal press as during resting periods When a cow presses, the pubic is pulled forward, enlarging the vertical pelvic diameter. The pelvic inlet and outlet diameters remain relatively unchanged.

胎兒在子宮內的位置 • 胎位Presentation The relationship between the long axis of the fetus and the maternal birth canal. Thus presentation may be longitudinal（ anterior or posterior, transverse or vertical）

胎兒在子宮內的位置 • 胎向Position The surface of the maternal birth canal to which the fetal spine is applied. Thus position may be dorsal, ventral or lateral(right or left).

胎兒在子宮內的位置 • 胎勢Posture The disposition of the head and limbs of the fetus.

anterior transverse posterior vertical

dorsotransverse ventrotransverse

Normal position before calving ventral position lateral position

deviation of the head

downward deviation of the head incomplete extension of the elbow

Carpal flexion Shoulder flexion

Hock flexion

Hip flexion

What is your diagnosis?

Presentation? Position? Posture?

正常的分娩 I stage(開口期) • • Uterine contraction commences Relaxation and dilation of cervix Chorioallantois enters vagina Fetus adopts birth posture

正常的分娩 II stage(產出期) • • • Uterine contraction continues Fetus enters birth canal Abdominal contraction commences Amnion enters vagina Fetus is expelled

正常的分娩 III stage(產後期) • Placental circulation lost • Placental dehiscence and separation occurs • Uterine and abdominal contractions continues • Placenta is expelled

Average duration of the 3 stages of labor in animals Stage of labor(hours) Animal I II III Mare 1 -2 30’-50’ 15’-30’-1 Cow 3 -6 1. 5 -3 6 -12 Ewe 2 -6 30’-2 30’-8 Sow 2 -6 2 -4 30’-2 Bitch 6 -12 3 -12 15’

大動物助產器材 • Obstetrical (OB) rope or chains for pulling on the calf's legs • OB handles for pulling on the OB chains • Mechanical calf puller • OB lubricants • Plastic gloves • Water buckets for cleaning and disinfection • Towels and paper towels • Iodine for disinfecting the calf's navel

calf puller calfing rope Fractured metacarpus

Retained placenta