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CMH is a killer of pregnant bitches. Few Vets have ever seen it or if they did, they probably didn't recognize these symptoms or know about this treatment.

 

 

 

CMH: CANINE MATERNAL HYDROPS

Sherry L. Shivley, Journalist Award Winner © TheDogPlace.org

 

The loss of bitches and the litter to CMH has been certain until a group on Facebook began comparing notes. Soon a pattern began to take place.  It seems ii Canine Maternal Hydrops is most often is seen in Golden Retrievers but it can occur in any breed. In Europe it is seen mostly in Spitz breeds.

 

Symptoms Of Canine Maternal Hydrops

  • There is often a large litter of 10 or more pups.

  • The abdomen is larger than expected for the pregnancy.

  • The stomach is rock hard to the touch.

  • There is often limb swelling. The vulva can become as large as an avocado.

  • Difficulty seeing skeletons on X-ray due to the extreme amount of fluid surrounding the fetuses.

  • Clear fluids leaking from the vulva, sometimes large amounts running late in the pregnancy as though the bitch is urinating.

  • Rapid breathing, lethargy and lack of appetite due to decreased room for the stomach to enlarge and the lungs to inflate.

  • Increased whelping girth and 2 lb per puppy gain or more at time of whelp.

  • Bitches temperature will drop before whelping but she will never move into Stage 2 of delivery (pushing) because of the size of the pups and the amount of fluid in the uterus and uterine horns.

The Cause Of CMH Remains A Mystery

Horses and cattle can also develop it, so the theory is it can be hereditary but many speculate on chemical exposure, food imbalance, allergy, or infectious disease. Some veterinarians think CMH is a blood mismatch such as the Rh factor in humans, something incompatible between the bitch and pups.

 

Because CMH is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in one or more of the fetal sacs, the fetus can actually swell from being in the fluid and quick action needs to be taken to save them.

 

Currently the treatment that seems to be most effective is .25 mg Spironolactone 2-3 times daily to help remove the fluid buildup in the bitch. Veterinarians feel this this a better choice than Lasix because it does not cause rapid fluid loss as Lasix does.

 

Natural diuretics like dandelion root, a reduced food intake and low sodium diet is also recommended.

 

Giving the bitch a shot of Dexamethasone before surgery will help the pups lungs mature and give them a fighting chance to live.

 

The bitch should have a C-Section before she is due, because her health is not stable and she cannot withstand the extra pressure put on her already strained body going through labor.

 

She should have a large bore IV to replace the fluids she will lose from her abdomen as soon as she is opened. Otherwise her heart will fail as she goes into shock.

 

As the pups are delivered, some may need to be turned face down to drain the fluid from their lungs, and the accordion method done. They may also show signs of being in fluid for so long by being swollen.

 

Puppies should be started on antibiotics immediately after birth because of the length of time they were immersed in the fluid. Using Benebac Gel can help the flora in their guts get a start from being on the antibiotics so young.

 

There is Hope for Canine Maternal Hydrops. A generous donor has enabled Dr. Carmen Booth DVM, of Yale University to begin collecting fluid and tissue from CMH deliveries to be analyzed along with pedigrees to be placed in a data base. Thanks to several Vet Clinics who have volunteered to participate, we may soon have an idea on the cause, treatment and eradication of this little known disease.

 

If you have had a dog with CMH, currently have one with it, or would like more information, you may ask to join Canine Maternal Hydrops on facebook or contact DaLaneGoldenRetrievers@gmail.com who has spearheaded the effort to get funding for research.

 

Instant Information and Veterinary reference on ii Canine Maternal Hydrops

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