Retrospective evaluation of feline dystocia: clinicopathologic findings and neonatal outcomes in 35 cases (2009–2020)
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of cases of feline dystocia presenting to a university emergency service. Methods: The medical records of queens presenting for dystocia between January 2009 and September 2020 were reviewed. Data collected included queen signalment, presenting complaints, treatments, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Clinicopathologic data included serum ionized calcium concentration, blood glucose level, packed cell volume and total solids. Owing to the small sample size, descriptive statistics were used and data presented as median (range). Results: Thirty-five cases were reviewed. Dystocia was attributed to maternal factors in 69% (n = 24) and fetal factors in 31% (n = 11). Venous blood gas data from 19 queens in stage 2 labor revealed that no queens were hypocalcemic (median ionized calcium 5.4 mg/dl [range 4.9–5.8]) or hypoglycemic (median glucose 143 mg/dl [range 78–183]). Medical management was attempted in 21/35 queens. Successful medical management was achieved in 29% (n = 6/21). Thirteen queens underwent surgical management, six of these after failing medical management. Seven queens received no treatment. Fifteen queens were discharged and one queen was euthanized while still in labor. The remaining 19 queens delivered all fetuses with medical (n = 6) or surgical management (n = 13). Maternal survival was 94% (n = 33/35). A total of 136 kittens were born to all queens, with 58% (n = 79/136) born prior to initiation of treatment, 16% (n = 22/136) after medical management and 26% (n = 35/136) after surgical management. Overall neonatal survival to discharge was 66% (n = 90/136). Conclusions and relevance: Feline dystocia is an emergent condition that can result in up to 34% neonatal mortality for kittens delivered via both medical and surgical means. Hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia were not precipitating causes of feline dystocia in this population.
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In a study of 136 kittens born from 35 dystocic queens, only 66% survived despite medical and/or surgical assistance.
“in a very recent study of 136 kittens born from 35 dystocic queens, only 66% survived, despite the provision of medical and/or surgical assistance.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
The Results report 136 kittens from 35 dystocic queens, and the Discussion reports 66% survival to discharge. However, 79 kittens were born before treatment began, and some queens received no treatment. The 66% figure therefore applies to all kittens, not only those delivered with medical or surgical assistance. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn a report of 35 queens presenting with dystocia, 69% of cases were of maternal origin and 31% were attributed to the fetal component.
“in a recent report of 35 queens presenting with dystocia, 69% of cases were of maternal origin, while the remaining 31% were attributed to the fetal component.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
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Cites
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- Authors
- Bailin, H. G., Thomas, L., & Levy, N. A.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bailin, H Grady
- Venue
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-06-14
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 344-350
- ISSN
- 1098-612X (ISSN-L)
- 1532-2750
- PMC
- PMC10812251
- OpenAlex
- W3167344705
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 1.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Keywords
- neonatal outcomes, neonatal mortality, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, ionized calcium, blood glucose, cesarean section, maternal survival, fetal factors, maternal factors, feline obstetrics, veterinary emergency medicine, venous blood gas, serum electrolytes, hematocrit, total solids
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Calcium, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dystocia, Female, Glucose, Humans, Pregnancy, Retrospective Studies
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