Apgar score or birthweight in Chihuahua dogs born by elective Caesarean section: which is the best predictor of the survival at 24 h after birth?

Autor: Fusi, Jasmine, Faustini, Massimo, Bolis, Barbara, Veronesi, Maria Cristina
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, Vol 62, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2020)
ISSN: 1751-0147
0044-605X
Popis: Background In the dog, the correct management of parturition and the prompt neonatal evaluation and assistance can reduce the perinatal mortality rates that are particularly high in toy breeds. Newborn evaluation and factors addressing prognosis are pivotal to guarantee the correct neonatal assistance. Assessment of the Apgar score with viability classification and birthweight are recognized as predictors for neonatal survival in dogs, but breed-specific data are needed for a more feasible application in the dog species, in which wide differences among breeds are known. The present study aimed therefore to: (a) assess the role of Apgar score and birthweight as predictors for the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h of life; (b) to assess a cut-off of the Apgar score and birthweight values that can predict the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h after birth; (c) to assess the possible effect played by maternal parity, newborn gender and litter-size on Apgar score in Chihuahua newborn puppies, in order to provide breed-specific data for a better neonatal assistance. Results Data obtained from 176 normal developed Chihuahua puppies born by elective Caesarean section, showed that 62%, 28% and 10% of puppies were classified in the Apgar score classes 7–10, 4–6 and 0–3, respectively, with survival at 24 h after birth of 97%, 96%, 39%, in the three Apgar classes of viability, respectively. Apgar score was a better predictor for survival at 24 h after birth than birthweight (AUC 0.93, P
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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