Fatal complications associated with caesarean section in the bitch: post-mortem investigation of 17 cases.

Van de Weyer, Yannick, Orlowska, Anna, Zendri, Flavia and Crosby-Durrani, Hayley E ORCID: 0000-0001-9297-0001 (2024) Fatal complications associated with caesarean section in the bitch: post-mortem investigation of 17 cases. Journal of comparative pathology, 211. pp. 1-7.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.03.205

Abstract

This case series describes the post-mortem findings in 17 bitches (Canis lupus familiaris) with a recent (<7 days) history of caesarean section, most (94%) of which had undergone conservative caesarean section with preservation of the uterus. Brachycephalic breeds accounted for 71% of all cases, with the French Bulldog (35%, n = 6), English Bulldog (18%, n = 3) and Boston Terrier (12%, n = 2) overrepresented. Eleven animals (65%) died between 4 and 48 h after surgery, whereas six (35%) died during the procedure. The most common cause of death was septicaemia (41%, n = 7) associated with Streptococcus canis (29%, n = 5) and/or Escherichia coli (24%, n = 4). Other causes of death included brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)-associated respiratory failure (24%, n = 4), haemorrhagic shock (18%, n = 3), inconclusive (12%, n = 2) and gastric dilatation and volvulus (6%, n = 1). Histopathological changes were seen in the uterus of 10 cases and included marked inflammation (60%, n = 6), marked haemorrhage (20%, n = 2) or both (20%, n = 2). Metritis was often characterized by fibrinonecrotic, neutrophilic to mixed inflammation, consistent with acute infection. However, prominent lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in two cases suggested that infection had been present prior to surgery. Peritonitis, myositis and panniculitis commonly (35%, n = 6) surrounded the incision sites. The presence of inflammation and bacterial colonies within multiple surgical sites suggested iatrogenic implantation of bacteria, potentially from the uterine lumen. Bacterial culture and isolation, as well as tape measurements for evaluation of conformational BOAS risk factors where applicable, are recommended as part of the routine post-mortem work-up for bitches that die shortly after caesarean section.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	C-section, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus canis, complications, dog, metritis, mortality, septicaemia
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	02 May 2024 07:14
Last Modified:	02 May 2024 07:15
DOI:	10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.03.205
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3180727