International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277 ... - eJManager

International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964

Vol 6 (9) Sept’16

Management of Incomplete Uterine Inertia in a Labrador Bitch - A Case Report T. Chutia, D. J. Talukdar*, B. Konwar, F. A. Ahmed, K. Lalrintluanga and G. Das Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Mizoram-796014, INDIA *Corresponding author: [email protected] Rec. Date:

Jul 24, 2016 08:48

Accept Date:

Sep 01, 2016 07:50

Published Online:

September 06, 2016

DOI

10.5455/ijlr.20160901075038

Abstract A Labrador bitch having fifty four days of pregnancy was presented at college clinics with the history of no sign of labour after birth of one pup. The bitch was found active with dilated cervix. Abdominal palpation and ultrasonographic imaging revealed presence of foetuses in the gravid uterus. The case was further diagnosed as incomplete uterine inertia. In the present case study it was noted that oxytocin, calcium gluconate and dextrose normal saline as effective therapeutic agents to expelled the foetuses. Key words: Uterine Inertia, Bitch, Management

How to cite: Talukdar, D., Chutia, T., Knowar, B., Ahmed, F. A. & Das, G. (0) Management of Incomplete Uterine Inertia in a Labrador Bitch - A Case Report. International Journal of Livestock Research, 6 (90, 79-82. doi:10.5455/ijlr.20160901075038

Introduction Uterine Inertia is a condition of unsuccessful labour. It is a common cause of dystocia in bitch (Noakes et al., 2000) and it is classified as primary (i.e., no uterine contractions) or secondary (i.e., initially uterine contraction, later cease due to muscular exhaustion). The primary uterine inertia, which can be further classified as complete or incomplete (Van den Weizden and Taverne, 1994). Complete inertia signifies that no puppies are delivered because of apparent uterine muscle fatigue. Incomplete inertia occurs when there is normal delivery of a litter nevertheless uterus fatigues before parturition is completed (Jones and Joshua, 1982). Case History A three years old primiparous Labrador bitch (body weight 24.7 kg) was presented to Teaching Agricultural University, Aizawl, Mizoram on 54th day of pregnancy with difficulty in whelping. As per

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the owner statement the bitch was served by a crossbred male dog. He also reported that a live pup was

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Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central

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DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20160901075038


Vol 6 (9) Sept’16

whelped one day back at night but it died after about one hour. Subsequently the bitch stopped straining and exhibited no noticeable sign and symptoms except vomition once after whelping. There were no known records of accidental injury and history of infectious disease during pregnancy. Clinical Observations The bitch was found very active when presented and the temperature, heart rate and respiration rate recorded was 100.6°F, 102 beats per minute and 30 breaths per minute respectively. On clinical examination, there was no vaginal discharge or swelling of vulva but the cervix was found dilated and moist. Abdominal palpation revealed presence of fetus. Ultrasonography with 5MHz curvilinear probe revealed presence of live fetuses in the both uterine horns. The teats were engorged and milk oozed out at the time of inspection. As the bitch was active and the cervix was opened, it was decided to go with medicinal treatment to expel the foetuses. Treatment The bitch was cannulated intravenously and slow calcium gluconate infusion @ 200 ml was started along with 10 IU Oxytocin. Moderate labor was observed after half an hour of administration of both the drugs. After two hours of Oxytocin injection, one pup was delivered without any traction but it died immediately after birth. Straining was subsided again and no foetus was seen in the cervix on palpation. Another dose of Oxytocin @ 10 IU along with DNS @ 150 ml intravenously was infused. Subsequently four live pups were delivered successfully (Fig. 1) each with about 20 minute’s interval (approximate). Finally X-ray examination revealed complete delivery of the foetuses (Fig. 2). The animal was treated with ceftriaxone @ 25 mg/kg bw i/v daily for three days, DNS (200 ml) for two days and meloxicam @ 0.5 mg/kg b. wt.

Fig.1: Live Puppies after whelping

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Fig.2: X- Ray image showing empty uterine cavity after whelping DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20160901075038

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i/m daily for three days were given and uneventful recovery was recorded.


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Discussion The most commonly used medicine in uterine inertia in bitch is Oxytocin and calcium gluconate. Oxytocin helps in contraction of uterine musculature. Stretch sensitive cells in cervix and vagina transmit nerve impulses to the neurons in the hypothalamus resulting in release of Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland leading to increased myometrial contractions (Ferguson, 1941). In some mammals Oxytocin also produced in the uterus and foetal membranes (Chibbar et al., 1993), but there is no such report in the bitch. Calcium gluconate enhances vigorous contraction of uterine muscle. Calcium is the most important electrolyte regulating myometrial contractions. The extracellular calcium ion concentration is approximately 1.5 mmol/L and the estimated myometrial intracellular concentration is 0.13 μmol/L (Sanborn, 2000). The myometrium contains a significant intracellular pool of bound calcium ions stored in the sarcoplasmatic reticulum (SR), and the myometrial cells has a high concentration of SR (Carsten, 1969). Calcium can be mobilized from the SR as well as from the extracellular fluid. The SR actively absorbs free calcium in the myometrial cells. As long as the uterus is under progesterone dominance the uptake of calcium ions to the SR inhibit contractions. Both PGF2α and Oxytocin block the calcium uptake to the SR thereby stimulating uterine contractions (Carsten, 1974). In addition Oxytocin mobilizes the extracellular free calcium (Thornton et al., 1992). The calcium infusion may also be followed by another Oxytocin injection (Johnston et al., 2001) after half an hour if successful. In the present case, though the bitch failed to expel all the foetuses with the first dose, a second dose of Oxytocin injection effectively helped to expel the remaining foetuses successfully.

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1. Carsten ME. (1969). Role of calcium binding by sarcoplasmic reticulum in the contraction and relaxation of uterine smooth muscle. Journal of General Physiology, 53 (4): 414-26. 2. Carsten ME. (1974). Hormonal regulation of myometrial calcium transport. Gynecologic Investigation, 5 (5-6): 269-75. 3. Chibbar R, Miller FD and Mitchell BF. (1993). Synthesis of oxytocin in amnion, chorion, and decidua may influence the timing of human parturition. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 91(1): 185-92. 4. Ferguson JKW. (1941). A study of the motility of the intact uterus at term. Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, 73: 359-366. 5. Jones DE. and Joshu JO. (1982). Reproductive clinical problems in the Dog. London, Wright PSG Co. 6. Johnston SD, Root KMV and Olson PNS. (2001). In: Canine and Feline Theriogenology. 1st edition. Philadelphia: Saunders. 7. Noakes ED, Parkinson TJ and England GCW. (2000). In: Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. 8th edn, Published by Harcourt (India) Private Ltd, New Delhi. 8. Sanborn BM. (2000). Relationship of ion channel activity to control of myometrial calcium. Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 7(1): 4-11.

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References


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9. Thornton S, Gillespie JI, Greenwell JR and Dunlop W. (1992). Mobilization of calcium by the brief application of oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 in single cultured human myometrial cells. Experimental Physiology, 77(2): 293-305. 10. Van Den Weijden G C and Taverne, MAM. (1994). Aspects of obstetric care in the dog. Veterinary Quarterly, 16: 20-22.

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DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20160901075038