EN-BLOC OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY AS A TREATMENT FOR DYSTOCIA IN DOGS AND CATS

En bloc ovariohysterectomy, a technique that involves ovariohysterecto my before hysterotomy and removal of the neonates, was performed on 63 animals (37 dogs and 26 cats). Intraoperative complications were limi ted to 1 cat that bled excessively during surgery and was later found to have a clotting disorder. Postoperative complications included anem ia that required blood transfusion in 3 cats, uroperitoneum in 1 dog, and death in 1 cat. The rate of neonatal survival (75% for dogs and 42 % for cats) was similar to that documented by previous studies of medi cal and surgical management of dystocia. We concluded that en bloc ova riohysterectomy is a safe and effective alternative to cesarean sectio n for surgical treatment of dystocia in dogs and cats. (C) Copyright 1 994 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons