Clinical Efficacy of Mifepristone and Misoprostol in Induction of Parturition in Female Dogs with Single Pup Syndrome

Abstract

Successful management of high-risk pregnancy like single pup syndrome is a challenging task. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of antiprogestagen mifepristone and prostaglandin misoprostol in induction of parturition in bitches bearing single puppy. The study was conducted on 12 pregnant dogs bearing single puppy with gestational age of 63.00 ± 0.42 days confirmed by ultrasound scanning. The dams with singleton litter showing signs of parturition without any medical intervention were considered under control group (n=6). Though, initiation of parturition has occurred in control group, the animals had dystocia and assisted whelping was performed. The animals that hadn’t shown any signs of parturition even after 62 days of gestation were included in treatment group (n=6) and induced parturition by administering mifepristone @ 5 mg/kg BW per orally twice a day at 12 hours interval followed by intra vaginal administration of misoprostol @ 200 µg for bitches with ≤ 20 kg BW and 400 µg for bitches with > 20 kg BW, 12 hours after second dose of mifepristone. All the animals in the treatment group whelped live singleton puppies normally and the mean time taken for the expulsion of the single pup from the time of initiation of treatment was recorded as 28 ± 2.74 hrs. Hence it was concluded that the combined use of mifepristone and misoprostol was safe and effective for the induction of parturition in female dogs with single puppy syndrome.