Systematic use of oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and is naturally released by the posterior hypophysis) is discouraged. Unthinking use of this hormone in the absence of an exact diagnosis may:- cause uterine tears if the inertia is the result of a blockage,- suffocate the puppies still waiting to be born by prematurely constricting the afferent vessels of the umbilical cord,- have no effect whatsoever on the uterus, which has a natural refractory period with respect to oxytocin during the uterus'rest periods (for about a half-hour after each expulsion), and so causing only side effects (namely diarrhea).- cause the posterior hypophysis to stop secreting it, which disturbs milk production later,- cause secondary eclampsia.
Primary uterine inertia (i.e., when no anatomical obstacles are present) occurs frequently in certain bitches prone to it, such as:- small-breed bitches (Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, small hounds) or giant breeds (Bull Mastiff, Bordeaux Dog);- bitches that are very calm (Basset Hounds) or too excitable (Cocker Spaniel) during labor;- obese or elderly bitches;- bitches with large litters.
In these cases, perfusion of calcium gluconate while monitoring the heart rate is usually sufficient to restart uterine contractions. Massaging the nipples can cause reflex secretion of endogenous oxytocin, which is preferable to giving it as a medication.
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