Clinical and pathological findings for rabbits with dystocia: 10 cases (1996-2016).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical and pathological findings of rabbits evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital because of dystocia. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 9 client-owned rabbits and 1 wild rabbit with signs of dystocia evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital from 1996 through 2016. PROCEDURES: Medical records of rabbits were reviewed to collect data on signalment; medical history; physical examination, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and procedural findings; treatment; final diagnosis; and outcome. Data were summarized. RESULTS: Dystocia in 7 rabbits was successfully managed through medical treatment, assisted vaginal delivery, or both (n = 6) or surgery alone (1); 3 rabbits were euthanized. Primiparous does, does ≤ 4 years old, and does of small breeds (< 2 kg [4.4 lb]) were most common. All client-owned rabbits had clinical signs of abnormal second-stage parturition, whereas the wild rabbit had only hemorrhagic vulvar discharge. Imaging was used to identify the number, size, and state of fetuses in most rabbits. Overall, 35 fetuses were accounted for, 25 of which were dead or later died. The cause of dystocia was determined for 8 rabbits and included fetal-maternal mismatch (n = 4), uterine inertia (2), fetal death or mummification (1), and stress-induced abortion (1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Obstructive dystocia from fetal macrosomia with or without secondary uterine inertia was the most common cause of dystocia in the evaluated rabbits. Although medical management was successful for many rabbits with dystocia in this study, surgery could still be required in other affected rabbits, particularly when fetal-maternal mismatch is involved.

Temporary hindlimb paresis following dystocia due to foetal macrosomia in a Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra).

A multiparous Celebes crested macaque presented with dystocia due to foetal macrosomia, causing foetal mortality and hindlimb paresis. After emergency caesarean section, recovery of motor function took 1 month before hindlimbs were weight bearing and 2 months before re-integration with the troop.

Fetal and maternal factors associated with infant mortality in vervet monkeys.

BACKGROUND: Causes of infant death remain unknown in significant proportions of human and non-human primate pregnancies. METHODS: A closed breeding colony with high rates of infant mortality had pregnancies assessed (n=153) by fetal measurements and maternal characteristics. Infant outcome was classified as neonatal death (stillborn or died <48 hours from birth), postnatal death (died 2-30 days) or surviving (alive after 30 days). RESULTS: Fetal size did not predict outcome. Poor maternal glycemic control and low social ranking increased odds for adverse outcome (OR=3.72, P=0.01 and 2.27, P=0.04, respectively). Male sex was over-represented in stillbirths (P=0.04), and many were macrosomic, but size did not associate with maternal glycemic control measured as glycated hemoglobin A1c. Postnatally dead infants were smaller (P<0.01), which associated with behavioral factors and glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal growth estimates predicted gestational age but not fetal outcome. Maternal social status and metabolic health, particularly glycemic control, increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcome.