Fetal hydrops in two English Bulldog puppies

Abstract

Fetal hydrops is a congenital anomaly characterized by excessive accumulation of fluids in the extravascular space of the fetus, being called anasarca when excess fluid occurs in a generalized way, causing edema in the subcutaneous tissue. Thus, an exaggerated increase in the size of the fetus is expected, which may result in obstructive dystocia during birth. Bulldog dogs are more susceptible to this disease due to their brachycephalic characteristics; therefore, care should be redoubled during pregnancy, such as using ultrasound to periodically evaluate the fetuses to preserve the health of both pregnant and fetuses. It is worth noting that this disease usually has a reserved to severe prognosis. This present work reports the birth of a 3-year-old female English Bulldog that was admitted at a veterinary clinic in the city of Ourinhos/SP, with approximately 62 days of gestation, as a result of artificial insemination, being in labor for approximately 5 hours. From the physical and ultrasound examinations, it was observed that two of the six fetuses had generalized edema, had no reflexes, and presented reduced and muffled heartbeats. The patient underwent an emergency cesarean section. The hydropic puppies s died after an attempted treatment. Thus, it is concluded that the use of ultrasound should be prioritized not only for diagnosis, but for monitoring pregnancy evolution and fetuses, allowing the visualization of possible hydropic fetuses and scheduling of the cesarean section, which is the most indicated surgical procedure in the presence of this fetal anomaly.