Caesarean section
Surgical delivery of puppies or kittens when natural birth is not progressing or is dangerous. An urgent procedure during opening hours — call before you come; we book planned caesareans after an ultrasound scan.
Mon–Fri 9–19, Sat 9–13 · tel. +48 74 660 62 68. Outside opening hours, on Sundays and on public holidays, the nearest 24-hour animal hospitals are SKVet Klinika Weterynaryjna (ul. Stabłowicka 109b, Wrocław, tel. 791 998 999) and Klinika Psa i Kota (ul. B. Krzywoustego 105/22, 51-166 Wrocław, tel. 71 339 82 48).
What it involves
A caesarean section is the delivery of the foetuses through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. We perform it when natural birth is not progressing, endangers the mother or the puppies, or when it is known in advance that natural birth is unlikely — for example in brachycephalic breeds, with a single large foetus, or with a very large litter.
Two parallel goals are key in this procedure: the safety of the mother and the survival of the newborns. That is why we manage the anaesthesia so that as little of the drugs as possible crosses the placenta, and the team works in two groups — one operates, the other receives and resuscitates the puppies or kittens in a heated incubator.
At the owner's request, and when the mother's condition allows, a caesarean section can be combined with spaying. We discuss this before the procedure, because making the decision during the operation is not good practice.
When it is used
As an urgent procedure: when more than 30–60 minutes have passed since strong straining began without a puppy being born, when more than 2–3 hours pass between successive newborns, when green or foul-smelling discharge comes from the birth canal without delivery, or when the dog or cat is becoming weak. These are situations in which you call and come straight away, during the practice's opening hours.
As a planned procedure: when ultrasound or X-ray shows a mismatch between the size of the foetuses and the pelvis, in breeds with a high proportion of caesareans, after earlier difficult births, or with a single foetus. We set the date on the basis of imaging.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- The dog or cat has been straining hard for more than half an hour and nothing is happening.
- More than 2–3 hours have passed since the last puppy was born, and more can be felt in the abdomen.
- Dark green discharge comes from the birth canal, but no newborn has been born.
- The expected due date passed 2–3 days ago and labour has not begun.
- The mother is weak, panting, has muscle tremors or pale gums during labour.
- A puppy is stuck in the birth canal and cannot be gently removed.
- A brachycephalic breed (bulldog, pug, Persian) or an earlier caesarean.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
On admission we perform a quick clinical examination of the mother and an abdominal ultrasound: we count the foetuses, check each one's heart rate (a slowed heart rate means hypoxia and determines the urgency) and assess their position. A blood test (glucose, calcium, blood count) helps to rule out metabolic causes of weak contractions, which can sometimes be treated without surgery.
For a planned caesarean we first take an X-ray (after day 55 of pregnancy the number and size of the foetuses are clearly visible) to judge when the foetuses are ready for birth.
How it proceeds
The mother has an IV cannula placed and receives fluids; she is clipped and prepared even before anaesthesia is induced, so that the time from giving the drugs to delivering the newborns is as short as possible. We use a protocol that limits drugs crossing the placenta, inhalation anaesthesia with intubation, and full monitoring (STD-02).
The surgeon opens the abdomen and the uterus, delivers the foetuses one by one and hands them to the neonatal team, who clear the airways, stimulate breathing and warm the newborns in an incubator. Once all the foetuses have been delivered, the uterus is closed (or removed, if that was agreed), and the abdominal wall is sutured in layers. The procedure takes roughly 45–90 minutes.
The mother wakes in a heated recovery area; we put the puppies or kittens to suckle as soon as she is safely alert. Usually the whole family goes home the same day or the next morning — the lead veterinarian decides.
Aftercare
At home you need a warm, quiet bed with limited access for other animals. For the first few days check that all the newborns are suckling and gaining weight (weigh them daily) and that the mother's wound is dry. Give painkillers as instructed — we choose ones that are safe while nursing.
Check-up for the mother and litter after 2–3 days, suture removal after 10 days. Call immediately if there is a foul-smelling discharge from the genital tract, or if the mother has a fever, hard and hot teats or muscle tremors, or rejects her young.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be present during the procedure?
Not in the operating theatre, but the team keeps you updated on progress. After the mother wakes up, you will see her and the newborns before discharge.
Will the bitch be able to nurse after a caesarean?
Yes — we choose the anaesthetic so that it does not disrupt lactation, and we put the puppies to the teat as soon as possible after the procedure.
If a dog has one caesarean, does the next birth also have to be surgical?
Not always. It depends on the cause — with anatomical problems (breed, narrow pelvis) another caesarean is likely; after a one-off uterine atony a natural birth may be possible.
What should I do outside the practice’s opening hours?
Don’t wait until morning — go to one of the 24-hour animal hospitals in Wrocław listed on this page. Time matters for the puppies’ survival.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Do you have questions about caesarean section?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.