Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Manual Midwifery Techniques for Raccoon Dog Parturition
Raccoon dogs have a certain seasonality in pregnancy and parturition, generally giving birth from March to May. The use of manual midwifery techniques can resolve common dystocia situations that arise during the production process, ensure normal parturition of pregnant female raccoon dogs, and enable timely handling of apparent death of newborn raccoon dog pups. The author introduces the midwifery techniques for raccoon dog parturition for reference.
1 Prenatal preparation
Five days before the expected due date, the female raccoon dog should be placed in a dry, warm, draft-free, well-lit, and quiet environment. Disinfection and cleaning of the cage for parturition should be done well; the bedding placed in the cage should not be too thick, and should be used after being turned and dried in sunlight; before delivery assistance, prepare a water basin, warm water, towels, disinfectant, scissors, tweezers, iodine tincture, etc. for standby use.
2 Midwifery operation methods
2.1 Normal delivery assistance
Move the female raccoon dog about to give birth into the prepared delivery room (cage) a few days in advance to await parturition. Pay attention to observation. When it is found that a newborn raccoon dog pup has been delivered but the fetal membrane has not ruptured, the midwife should first rub the hands with the bedding straw in the raccoon dog cage to remove foreign odors, tear open the fetal membrane of the delivered pup, use a finger or a cotton swab to remove and clean out the mucus from the mouth and nose of the pup, then wipe off all mucus from the body with a disinfected towel, squeeze the blood in the umbilical cord toward the pup's abdomen, pinch or cut the umbilical cord with fingers at 4 cm from the abdominal wall, disinfect the cut with 3% iodine tincture. If there is excessive bleeding, use cotton soaked in epinephrine solution to press the bleeding site. After bleeding stops, send the pup into the cage beside the mother raccoon dog to suckle. About 30 min after delivery, the fetal membrane will be expelled, and parturition is complete.
2.2 Midwifery
When the parturient female raccoon dog shows restlessness, severe labor pains, difficulty breathing, accelerated heartbeat, and the pup still cannot be delivered, manual midwifery should be performed promptly. The method is: manual restraint. First check whether the cervix is fully dilated. If incomplete cervical dilation is found, diethylstilbestrol can be injected intramuscularly to promote cervical dilation. When injecting oxytocic drugs, first subcutaneously inject oxytocin 1-2 units per time. About 20 min after administration, the pup can be delivered. If injection of oxytocin is ineffective, inject once more, and at the same time coordinate with manual pressing of the lateral abdominal wall. First place the female raccoon dog in lateral recumbency for restraint. The midwife presses the left hand on the lateral abdominal wall of the raccoon dog, and should be able to feel the pup in the uterus. The pressing force should gradually increase from light to heavy, to prevent excessive force from injuring the fetus. The pressing can be repeated continuously. At the same time, after disinfecting the right hand, insert the fingers into the birth canal. After feeling the pup, slowly pull the pup out along with the mother's straining and manual pressing, then let the mother raccoon dog deliver naturally until all pups are delivered. If the method is ineffective, cesarean section can be adopted.
2.3 Rescuing apparently dead pups
For apparently dead pups that stop breathing after birth but whose hearts are still beating, artificial respiration should be immediately adopted for emergency rescue. The operation method is: place the pup with its four limbs facing up, support the shoulder area with one hand and the back with the other hand, then repeatedly flex and extend until the pup makes a sound. Stimulants such as alcohol applied to the nose or acupuncture can also be used for emergency rescue. If it is caused by low temperature after birth, quickly move the pup indoors and place it in an incubator at 30-40 degrees C, and breastfeed immediately after 2 h.
3 Post-midwifery care
3.1 After the female raccoon dog gives birth, wash the fetal fluids and blood from the vulva and buttocks of the female raccoon dog with 0.05% potassium permanganate solution or 1% Lysol to prevent bacteria from entering the birth canal and causing disease.
3.2 The midwife should immediately drive the postpartum female raccoon dog to stand, to reduce bleeding and prevent the occurrence of paralysis of the hindquarters.
3.3 Feed easily digestible, nutrient-rich liquid food. When necessary, administer intravenous fluids to supplement energy and provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment.
4 Summary
4.1 The use of manual midwifery during the parturition process of female raccoon dogs improves the survival rate of pups and protects the parturient female raccoon dog from death caused by dystocia.
4.2 During manual midwifery, the force of pressing the lateral abdominal wall should be moderate. The pressing force should be controlled according to the body condition of the female raccoon dog, to prevent causing the death of pups and uterine rupture.
4.3 Pay attention to the disinfection and hygiene of the items, instruments, and hands used, as well as postpartum disinfection and other matters, to avoid causing postpartum infection.