BIRTH COMPLICATIONS
by Mette Lybeck Ruelokke (Mette the Vette)
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First of all the sow must be prepared for birth, i.e. the pelvis must be opened as described previously. If the sow has not produced her babies though there are plenty of foetal movement, she is hungry and reacts normally, without whining or bending her head down to her vagina, and no birth labours are seen, the birth has simply not started yet and there is no reason to become nervous. But if a sow is found in severe pain, straining with no result for more than 15 minutes, or if no life is felt inside her, if she looks unwell and depressed and sits in a corner without moving, or if she has already got one or more babies and still has more inside but shows no sign of labour within one hour, then there is something to worry about.
Birth complications very often have something to do with pregnancy toxemia. This arises either because a developing toxae-m ia kills the babies and weakens the sow, so she is unable to strain sufficiently, or because the birth complications weaken the sow so much that a toxaemia will soon be the result. If the sow shows the signs of severe depression so typical for toxaemia very little can be done to help her, as she's most likely to die even if she gets rid of her litter. when I get such a patient on the table, I always recommend euthanasia, as further treatment is futile and the sow suffers and will die. So my advice is never to try to save a sow which is depressed from the effects of toxaemia.
However, some sows seem rather resistant to toxemia, and for these sows there is still hope, although there is a risk that she will never recover. Never expect a complicated birth to be successful. In most cases one or more - probably all - babies will be dead, and the sow can fade away and die within a few days from complications after birth, an item covered in CAVIES, Nov 1993.
But still, as long as the general condition of the sow seems more or less unaffected, a fair attempt can be made to help. In the following I'll try to mention the most common situations and what can be done.
Baby stuck in the birth ways
This is occasionally seen in the case of a single large baby or if the sow is too old for her first litter, i.e. her pelvis has become rigid and unable to widen. It can also be encountered in roan x roan and dalmation x dalmation matings. The sow strains for more than 15 minutes without result. The baby stuck is likely to be dead from suffocation. Wash your hands thoroughly and explore with a finger inside her vagina. If the head is already out, take a firm grip behind the jaws and draw gently. Try to follow the sow's straining to prevent damaging her. If the head is not out, try to reach for the mouth and trap the upper front teeth with your finger nail, and drag out gently following the strains.
Several attempts may be necessary. If unsuccessful or if nothing is felt inside her, the sow must be brought to the vet if she's going to have a chance. If not, she must be euthanized. what can be done further is up to the vet. Further extraction may be tried, eventually in combination with drugs stimulating birth labours. Caesarean section is another possibility, but it is not without risk for the sow, and the costs prevents many from trying. So here again euthanasia may be the only alternative.
Baby lying across or rear end first
The first of these is a very hypothetical situation, as the womb and birth ways are tube shaped and there is little possibility of lying across. Normally the head comes out first, but sows seem to give birth to babies with rear first without problems, although assistance in pulling the baby may sometimes be needed.
Birth Contractions Cease
If one or more babies are born, but birth stops before all babies are born, it may be a sign of complications, but it is very difficult to decide whether and when to intervene. If the babies inside still move around and the sow eats and cares for the babies already born, there is chance that she will have the rest of the litter after a break. I've had two sows like that. The first one I made a successful caesarean section on, but I still don't know if it was necessary or if she could have managed without it. The second sow I left on her own, and she had four babies. Birth started in the afternoon and there were several hours between each baby's arrival. She had her last baby 12 hours later, and both mother and babies were fine. Sometimes it helps stimulating to labour by inserting a clean finger into the birth ways. I've also read, that lowering the sow's rear end into water should have an effect on labours, but I've never found that method particularly useful. If the sow begins to look a little depressed, she must be taken to the vet quickly if she's going to have a chance. A labour stimulating injection may be helpful, otherwise caesarean is her only chance.
Babies dead inside the sow
Dead babies inside a sow present a very serious condition, as the sow will quickly deteriorate if not helped. Dead foetuses feel like relaxed bodies inside the belly, and of course movements have stopped. Some sows miraculously give birth to a litter dead for 24 hours or more and recover, but otherwise her only chance is to induce birth or caesarean section. No matter what is done the odds will be low.
What about future breeding?
Nobody can guarantee that it is perfectly safe to remate a sow after a complicated birth. But if it's a sow kept for breeding purposes only it may be worth a try. Every time I've tried, there have been absolutely no problems next time the sow littered. But if it's a beloved pet or a show sow I've always advised not to take the risk of getting her mated again.
Diseases and birth complications
Sellnick mange causes many breeding problems, including birth complications. If many cases or problems arise within stock, Sellnick should always be considered as a possible cause. Vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin C, is another common reason, and diet should be suspected if more sows suffer from birth complications within a shorter period.
Mette Lybek Ruelokke