PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND MORTALITY-RATES OF DOGS UNDERGOING CESAREAN-SECTION IN THE UNITED-STATES AND CANADA

Objective-To describe dogs undergoing cesarean section in the United S tates and Canada, to determine perioperative management, and to calcul ate survival proportions. Design-Multicenter prospective case series. Animals-3,908 puppies from 808 dams. Results-Survival rates immediatel y, 2 hours, and 7 days after delivery were 92, 87, and 80%, respective ly, for puppies delivered by cesarean section (n = 3,410) and 86, 83, and 75%, respectively, for puppies born naturally (498). For 614 of 80 7 (76%) litters, all puppies delivered by cesarean section were born a live. Maternal mortality rate was 1% (n = 9). Of 776 surgeries, 453 (5 8%) were done on an emergency basis. The most common breeds of dogs th at underwent emergency surgery were Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Boxer , Corgis, and Chihuahua. The most common breeds of dogs that underwent elective surgery were Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, Golden Re triever, and Yorkshire Terrier. The most common methods of inducing an d maintaining anesthesia were administration of isoflurane for inducti on and maintenance (n = 266; 34%) and administration of propofol for i nduction followed by administration of isoflurane for maintenance (237 ; 30%). Clinical Implications-Mortality rates of dams and puppies unde rgoing cesarean section in the United States and Canada are low. Knowl edge of mortality rates should be useful to veterinarians when advisin g clients on the likelihood of puppy and dam survival associated with cesarean section.