Evaluation of Newborn Pups Vitality by Means of Lactate

26 Newborn vitality evaluation and early detection of fetal distress could contribute to reduce mortality 27 at birth in canine species. High neonatal mortality rate in dog is reported subsequent to complicated 28 or uncomplicated whelping. Actually, the lactate level is considered an indicator of fetal distress 29 and a valid predictor of babies’ survival. Fetal acidosis recognition by umbilical lactate (UL) 30 measurement, Apgar score classification and uterine activity monitoring during labour, can 31 represent an advanced system in the management of the canine newborn patient. Mainly purpose of 32 this study was to correlate UL levels with canine neonatal morbidity and death within 48 hours of 33 birth. We evaluated relationship among some neonatal parameters at birth (mucous membrane 34 color, heart and respiratory rate, reflex irritability, motility, suckling and vocalization, UL, weight 35 and temperature) with labour characteristics (uterine contractions recorded by the tocometric 36 Whelpwise® system, delivering time and pup presentation), in view to predict pup vitality. We 37 considered also vaginal parturition versus elective and emergency caesarean section, and uterotonic 38 drugs influence on delivery. UL concentration proved to be useful to predict canine neonatal 39 mortality within 48 hours of birth (P<0.05). We identified in 5 mmol/L of umbilical lactate 40 concentration the cut off value allowing distinguishing between healthy and distressed pups. Higher 41 values of UL were related with pup suffering, whereas lower values characterized vigorous pups. 42 Lactate concentrations lower than 5 mmol/L and Apgar scores higher than 9, related to mean 43 delivery time of 105 minutes with effective uterine contractions (10 mm of Hg of width or more, 44 frequency from 4 to 12 contractions for hour, each ones of 2-5 minutes duration), should be 45 considered good prognostic factors in canine labour and neonatology. 46 1 Abbreviations UL = umbilical lactate; C-section = caesarean section