Obstetrics deals with monitoring pregnancy, preparing for and assisting with childbirth, providing postnatal care, and performing any necessary surgical procedures, such as caesarean sections. It is a branch of gynecology.
If a puppy is lying in the birth canal with its front legs bent, its back down, or in a hindward position (rear end first), birth complications may arise. These require human intervention. Some dog breeds, especially those with large heads, always require assistance during birth.
Depending on the size of the bitch, malpresentation can be corrected with veterinary assistance. If contractions are weak, medication administered by infusion is used to stimulate labor. As a last resort, a cesarean section (see below) may be necessary.
In cats, obstetric assistance is only necessary in exceptional cases.
Difficult births are rare in mares, but when they occur, they are life-threatening. As with small animals, the most common birth problems include incorrect position or posture of the foal. These can be corrected with veterinary assistance.
In serious cases, veterinary professionals carefully assist with pulling. For this purpose, birth chains are attached to the foal's limbs. These are used to provide support during labor.
If the birth assistance with the mare standing is unsuccessful, an attempt is made to correct the position of the foal under anesthesia. If this is also unsuccessful, a cesarean section is performed. This is extremely rare in horses compared to small animals.
A caesarean section is an operation performed under general anesthesia. To protect the mother and her offspring, as many preparations as possible are made before the anesthesia is administered. This includes inserting an intravenous line for the infusion and shaving the surgical area. It is particularly important to choose the right anesthesia and pain medication, as these will also affect the offspring. The puppies or foal are then delivered through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterine wall of the mother. Both are then closed with sutures.
Planned caesarean sections are common in brachycephalic dog breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Mastiffs, and Chihuahuas. However, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are also increasingly affected.
Every rider has probably heard of this disease. It has been known for decades and is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses. Spavin is actually an umbrella term for all inflammatory and chronic changes in the hock joints. The disease is classified as lameness caused by wear and tear and affects older horses in particular. Contrary to popular belief, however, a diagnosis of spavin does not mean that your horse is no longer rideable. With a carefully tailored treatment plan and an appropriate exercise program, this condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.
Cataracts describe the clouding of the lens in a dog's eye, which, similar to humans, is one of the most common causes of blindness. The condition therefore requires veterinary treatment, as modern surgical techniques can now preserve vision in dogs.
Mites are small pests that belong to the arachnid family. Cats can be affected by various types of mites, which live either in the fur, on or in the skin, and in the ear area, causing severe itching. In addition, a mite infestation always carries the risk of transmission to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Did you dream of galloping along the beach on horseback when you were a child? Day trips through the heath, maybe even a challenging week-long course with a renowned trainer – what a wonderful vacation with our four-legged friend. Especially since it's not always easy to find a suitable holiday replacement for your horse who will take care of your beloved animal in your absence the way you want them to. So why not take your faithful partner with you on vacation and make your dream of a horse vacation come true? To ensure that the adventure goes as smoothly as possible, you should make the necessary preparations.
Rabbits are very intelligent animals and are perfectly capable of following instructions or performing small exercises. If it doesn't work, it's usually due to a lack of patience or insufficient knowledge on the part of the humans. So, take heart! With loving perseverance, you're sure to succeed. Here are a few tips for successful training.
Dog owners are increasingly discussing different feeding options. As a result, BARF, which was previously viewed with skepticism, is now being tried out more and more often.
Dogs are our companions, playmates for our children, and best friends. Some dogs even have jobs: there are a number of tasks that dogs perform. Dog owners often get their dogs specifically for this purpose, or at least train them accordingly. Here are a few dog professions and their areas of activity.
This viral infection of dogs, also known as infectious hepatitis, occurs worldwide but is now rare thanks to many years of vaccination. However, it is believed that the virus that causes it is still involved in chronic liver inflammation.
Cats are hearing experts. Did you know that they can hear at least three times better than humans? Their ears also serve as mood indicators. If you learn to understand your pet's physical signals, you can develop an even better connection with them.
Ultrasound, medically known as sonography, is a standard procedure in veterinary medicine alongside X-rays due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature. It can be used to visualize various internal areas of the body in two dimensions.
As the name suggests, anemia means that your dog has too little blood, or more precisely, that the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and hemoglobin (the pigment in blood) is reduced. Anemia is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that can accompany many different diseases.
It's pretty much every cat owner's worst nightmare: your pet has eaten something poisonous! Now you need to act fast – get your cat to the vet immediately.
