Dystocia

Dystocia is a term that comes from the Greek word meaning bad birth or difficult birth. Recent studies suggest that there is a genetical predisposition for the denominated primary uterine inertia which means that a dog is reluctant to start the birth process in spite of the contractions and other evident signs. Another way of primary inertia is the one that occurs in late first-timers (more than five years of age) with evident signs of uterine atonia produced by the lack of muscular tone, obesity or an excessively dilated uterus due to a very big litter. All these cases that make it impossible for the uterine contractions to result effective for the normal development of birth are considered as dystocia. But there is one other form of uterine inertia, the secondary, which presents itself when the female has already given birth to at least one litter before, and it is mostly due to tiredness and exhaustion; in this case is perfectly justified to administer oxytocin as long as she has already given birth to one puppy.

Dystocia is evident when:

• More than 24 hours have passed since the body temperature has gone down below 37.5°C, without any uterine contractions.
• You notice mild and strong contractions for more than two hours without any expulsion.
• More than 30 minutes of very strong contractions go by even approaching the vulva.
• You see the head, legs or tail for more than 15 minutes and yet the puppy does not come out entirely, and it's not even possible with manual help.
• More than six hours of rest without contractions have gone by since the last expulsion when you know that there are still other puppies inside.