Cesarean Section (C-Section)

Whether you are a breeder or have an accidental litter, you might be faced with the need for a Cesarean section (C-section). There are many reasons that female pets require a C-section, ranging from a narrow birth canal to an awkward positioning of the litter. In some cases, a C-section can save the mother and litter’s lives. We are proud to offer our patients scheduled and emergency Cesarean section services.

Reason for a Cesarean section:

Fetal distress
Irregularity of a particular breed, namely size or shape of newborn
Litter consists of a single offspring
Litter is in awkward position and cesarean section might be necessary to save litter
Mother is having difficulty with natural birthing, and C-section becomes necessary
Mother’s pelvic shape or size
Mothers that have previously had litters via cesarean will likely have future litters similarly

What does a Cesarean section involve?

A Cesarean section is usually straightforward. In cases where the lives of the mother and her offspring are in danger, emphasis is placed on extracting the newborns hastily. In all cases, great precision and care are taken to ensure the safety and health of all patients. Initially, the mother’s abdomen is cleaned and shaved to reveal the surgical site. The mother then receives an injection of local anesthesia around the proposed incision site to numb the area and lessen the total amount of general anesthesia necessary for the surgery. An IV sedative is then introduced to allow the mother to completely relax. For their safety, we only implement mild sedative medications to protect the lives of the mother and her offspring. The midline incision is then made, exposing the uterus. Each newborn is gently extracted from the uterus and placed in neonatal care where breathing is stimulated, the amniotic sac is removed, fluid is taken out of their lungs, and their umbilical cords are tied. The mother’s incision is then sutured closed.

The mother and her litter remain under neonatal care for the next few days. Because the mother did not undergo the natural whelping process, she is more likely to reject her newborns and must be introduced to the process of nurturing her offspring. With the help of our trained staff, the mother will be guided in nurturing her litter and will be taught typical mothering techniques. After she begins to take motherly initiatives, the mother and newborns can be released to their owner.

If you have any questions about Cesarean section surgeries or would like to schedule a surgery, please contact our office.

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