Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study
Dystocia in the canine species is a common problem, and elective cesarean sections (C-sections) have become more frequent in breeds that are at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of C-section and contributing factors and to compare data on elective and emergency C-sections (e....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.934273/full |
| _version_ | 1817994505498918912 |
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| author | Magdalena Schrank Barbara Contiero Antonio Mollo |
| author_facet | Magdalena Schrank Barbara Contiero Antonio Mollo |
| author_sort | Magdalena Schrank |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dystocia in the canine species is a common problem, and elective cesarean sections (C-sections) have become more frequent in breeds that are at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of C-section and contributing factors and to compare data on elective and emergency C-sections (e.g., regarding stillbirth). Using a questionnaire, a total of 423 bitches of 80 breeds and their 899 litters were included. The mean number of litters per bitch was 2.1 ± 1.1 litters. The overall rate of stillbirth was 6.7%. Of all litters, 194 were born via C-sections (21.6%), of which 35 were declared as elective and 159 as emergency due to dystocia. Significantly more C-sections were performed in either small litters (1-2 pups) or large litters (>12 pups) (p < 0.001). Bitches that have had prior C-sections had a 4-fold increase in the risk of successive C-sections (RR = 4.54 (95%CI 2.56–7.70; p < 0.001). Furthermore, primiparous bitches of advanced age had a significantly higher incidence of emergency C-sections (p = 0.004). Stillbirth was significantly higher in emergency C-sections compared with that in elective C-sections (p = 0.003). Also, timing of intervention had a significant impact on stillbirth in emergency C-sections (p = 0.025). Within a breed-specific evaluation, significant differences were observed between breeds regarding incidence of C-section and stillbirth. Lesser-known breeds were represented in the population, and the results showed that the Norwich Terrier had the highest (51.6%) and the Gordon Setter had the lowest (4.8%) incidence of C-section (p < 0.001). The inclusion and evaluation of lesser-known breeds regarding incidence of C-section is of importance as it shows that certain breeds without phenotypical traits such as brachycephaly may also have an increased incidence of emergency C-section and stillbirth. We further conclude that more importance may be given to the age at first parturition concerning the occurrence of dystocia and the decision making regarding possible elective C-sections. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:52:55Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-d2558770e36447fdbfdf1311728fe4142022-12-22T02:19:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692022-09-01910.3389/fvets.2022.934273934273Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire studyMagdalena SchrankBarbara ContieroAntonio MolloDystocia in the canine species is a common problem, and elective cesarean sections (C-sections) have become more frequent in breeds that are at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of C-section and contributing factors and to compare data on elective and emergency C-sections (e.g., regarding stillbirth). Using a questionnaire, a total of 423 bitches of 80 breeds and their 899 litters were included. The mean number of litters per bitch was 2.1 ± 1.1 litters. The overall rate of stillbirth was 6.7%. Of all litters, 194 were born via C-sections (21.6%), of which 35 were declared as elective and 159 as emergency due to dystocia. Significantly more C-sections were performed in either small litters (1-2 pups) or large litters (>12 pups) (p < 0.001). Bitches that have had prior C-sections had a 4-fold increase in the risk of successive C-sections (RR = 4.54 (95%CI 2.56–7.70; p < 0.001). Furthermore, primiparous bitches of advanced age had a significantly higher incidence of emergency C-sections (p = 0.004). Stillbirth was significantly higher in emergency C-sections compared with that in elective C-sections (p = 0.003). Also, timing of intervention had a significant impact on stillbirth in emergency C-sections (p = 0.025). Within a breed-specific evaluation, significant differences were observed between breeds regarding incidence of C-section and stillbirth. Lesser-known breeds were represented in the population, and the results showed that the Norwich Terrier had the highest (51.6%) and the Gordon Setter had the lowest (4.8%) incidence of C-section (p < 0.001). The inclusion and evaluation of lesser-known breeds regarding incidence of C-section is of importance as it shows that certain breeds without phenotypical traits such as brachycephaly may also have an increased incidence of emergency C-section and stillbirth. We further conclude that more importance may be given to the age at first parturition concerning the occurrence of dystocia and the decision making regarding possible elective C-sections.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.934273/fullcesarean sectiondystociadogstillbirthparity |
| spellingShingle | Magdalena Schrank Barbara Contiero Antonio Mollo Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study Frontiers in Veterinary Science cesarean section dystocia dog stillbirth parity |
| title | Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study |
| title_full | Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study |
| title_fullStr | Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study |
| title_short | Incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch: A questionnaire study |
| title_sort | incidence and concomitant factors of cesarean sections in the bitch a questionnaire study |
| topic | cesarean section dystocia dog stillbirth parity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.934273/full |
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