Radiographic pelvimetry for assessment of dystocia in bitches: a clinical study in two terrier breeds

Abstract

Radiographic pelvimetry was used to assess the role of pelvic anatomy in obstructive dystocia in bitches. Based on the history of previous whelpings, 20 Boston terrier and 14 Scottish terrier bitches were divided into two equal groups: normally whelping bitches and bitches with obstructive dystocia. Additional whelpings during the period of study were closely observed and the pups were immediately weighed and measured. The bitches were clinically examined and the pelvis was radiographed in ventrodorsal and lateral projections. Measurements from the radiographs showed a significantly smaller pelvic size in the bitches with obstructive dystocia compared to the normally whelping bitches. Fetal-pelvic disproportion in the Scottish terrier was mainly due to a dorsoventrally flattened pelvic canal, whereas in the Boston terrier it arose from the combination of a dorsoventrally flattened pelvic canal and big fetuses with large heads. These results suggest that radiographic pelvimetry could be used to predict a disposition for dystocia in individual bitches, and as a basis for selection of breeding animals.

X-ray pelvimetry in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus - LINNAEUS, 1758)

“…We used the ventro-dorsal projection, as well as Eneroth and Haugey (1999) In relation to the pelvis shape, the data obtained from radiographic pelvimetry showed that the biiliac medium diameters are smaller than the sacrum-pubic diameters, both in males and in females, which classifies the pelvis of common marmoset as the dolicopelvica type, similar to ruminants (Oliveira et al, 2003), tamarins (Leontopithecus sp) (Ramadinha, 2003), owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus) (Valle et al 2006) and the dogs of Pinscher, Poodle, Teckel and SRD breeds (Páfaro, 2007). Differing from feline adult SRD (Páfaro et al, 2007), dogs of Brazilian Fila, German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds (Páfaro, 2007) in which the pelvis is classified as mesatipelvic.…”

“…Richter (1984) cites 11 dystocias in 1,046 births of callitrichideos. The most frequent causes, according to Johnson-Delaney (1994), are large fetuses and occurrence of posterior presentation.…”

“…The measurement of pelvic diameters directly on the radiographic film is a technique known as xray pelvimetry and has been used mainly in small animals such as dogs (Eneroth and Haugey, 1999;Páfaro, 2007), cats (Páfaro et al, 2007;Celimli et al, 2008) and other non-human primates (Ramadinha, 2003;Valle et al, 2006). Its use is directly related to reproduction, allowing the prediction or avoidance of difficulties at birth (Derivaux and Ectors, 1984).…”

Geometry of the femoral condyles in dogs

“…First, there are great variations in size among breeds and individuals within the same breed of dogs (Eneroth et al 1999). Six different breeds were used in the study, but we limited this variability by choosing similar lengths and diameters of femora, confirmed by a normality test.…”

Incidence and Breed Predilection for Dystocia and Risk Factors for Cesarean Section in a Swedish Population of Insured Dogs

“…[1][2][3][4][5] To our knowledge, population-based estimates of canine dystocia occurrence have not been reported. Measuring disease frequency in dogs is complicated by the fact that the population at risk is most often unknown.…”