With some breeds, particularly brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs , c-sections are a commonly expected, scheduled procedure. There are other situations when a c-section may be planned; i.e., with a very large litter. The most accurate and safest method to determine the best day for a planned c-section is by using the date of ovulation as the determining factor: using breeding dates, while better than nothing, is not ideal.
And then there are those times where a c-section is not planned but becomes necessary. If a bitch has been in labor for more than three hours without delivering a puppy; in hard labor for more than an hour or if green vaginal discharge is noted before the delivery of the first pup, a c-section is necessary. Difficult deliveries of large or mal-positioned pups may also require surgical intervention.
Of course these emergency situations rarely occur between 9 and 5! Our extended office hours (until 10 pm Mon. – Thurs.) help to alleviate that problem. For established clients, we are often available for after-hours c-sections but it is critical that we be kept informed prior to and throughout her delivery.
