Today's Daily Dose: Canine dystocia

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“To help determine the presence and cause of dystocia and evaluate the bitch's condition, the following procedures are indicated: Assess the bitch's vital signs, do a complete physical examination including abdominal palpation and a digital vaginal exam, and perform laboratory testing (check the packed cell volume and total protein concentration to help identify bleeding, and measure the blood glucose and serum calcium concentrations). I used to give calcium to every bitch with dystocia, but they generally don't need it; calcium deficiency is not a common cause of uterine inertia.”

-Scott Shaw, DVM, DACVECC

From CVC Highlight: My approach to canine dystocia