Dystocia in sows is more common in young gilts giving birth for the first time, sows that are overweight, and sows with a higher parity. Young gilts giving birth for the first time may experience dystocia because of a narrow birth canal; oxytocin may be administered as appropriate to facilitate farrowing. For overweight sows, feed intake should be reduced appropriately during mid-gestation. Fetal growth and development are slow during this period, so a moderate reduction in feed intake has little effect on the fetus. The recommended feed amount is 2Kg per day. In higher-parity sows, dystocia is often associated with repeated manual assistance, which can cause the birth canal to become lax and the uterine smooth muscle to habitually contract weakly. It is recommended to reduce the number of times piglets are manually extracted and allow the sow to strain and farrow naturally. However, appropriate measures should be taken according to the circumstances during farrowing.
Dystocia may be defined as taking more than 30 minutes from rupture of the amniotic sac to the birth of the first piglet, or more than 20 minutes between the births of successive piglets.
I. Causes:
1. Oversized fetus 2. Abnormal fetal position 3. Narrow birth canal 4. Many stillborn piglets and prolonged farrowing.
If a sow strains repeatedly, breathes rapidly, has an increased heart rate, and develops cyanosis, assistance should be provided.
II. Procedures:
1. Determine the fetal position (if abnormal, push inward during the intervals between straining to adjust it)
2. For sows that are weak and unable to deliver effectively, oxytocin (posterior pituitary extract) can be injected at the Houhai point, 10—20 IU
3. Intramuscular injection of 20% cardiotonic agent—Nikethamide Injection, 5—10 ml
If piglets have still not been delivered after oxytocin is injected, manually remove them (only as a last resort)
1. Wash hands and arms with soapy water
2. Put on long-arm gloves and apply lubricant (paraffin oil, petroleum jelly)
3. Clean the sow’s vulva and surrounding area
4. Bring the fingers together into a cone shape and insert them into the birth canal during the intervals between the sow’s straining
5. Feel the piglet’s head or hind legs and, as the sow strains, slowly pull it out.
6. After the sow has finished farrowing, flush the uterus with potassium permanganate at 0.1%, then administer 80 ten-thousand units of penicillin 2 h later.
Dystocia may be defined as taking more than 30 minutes from rupture of the amniotic sac to the birth of the first piglet, or more than 20 minutes between the births of successive piglets.
I. Causes:
1. Oversized fetus 2. Abnormal fetal position 3. Narrow birth canal 4. Many stillborn piglets and prolonged farrowing.
If a sow strains repeatedly, breathes rapidly, has an increased heart rate, and develops cyanosis, assistance should be provided.
II. Procedures:
1. Determine the fetal position (if abnormal, push inward during the intervals between straining to adjust it)
2. For sows that are weak and unable to deliver effectively, oxytocin (posterior pituitary extract) can be injected at the Houhai point, 10—20 IU
3. Intramuscular injection of 20% cardiotonic agent—Nikethamide Injection, 5—10 ml
If piglets have still not been delivered after oxytocin is injected, manually remove them (only as a last resort)
1. Wash hands and arms with soapy water
2. Put on long-arm gloves and apply lubricant (paraffin oil, petroleum jelly)
3. Clean the sow’s vulva and surrounding area
4. Bring the fingers together into a cone shape and insert them into the birth canal during the intervals between the sow’s straining
5. Feel the piglet’s head or hind legs and, as the sow strains, slowly pull it out.
6. After the sow has finished farrowing, flush the uterus with potassium permanganate at 0.1%, then administer 80 ten-thousand units of penicillin 2 h later.