Prenatal diagnosis and neonatal treatment of foetal anasarca in English bulldogs.

Foetal anasarca is a multifactorial disease characterised by accumulation of subcutaneous and visceral fluids. A prenatal diagnosis with ultrasonography is possible considering the increased risk of dystocia (1, 2). Neonatal treatment with diuretics has been proposed (1, 2, 3). Eleven 2-4-year-old English Bulldog bitches were strictly monitored during pregnancy by ultrasound (General Electric Logiq E9 with 8-18 MHz linear probe) and progesterone assay (ELFA, bioMéurieux). Each bitch received a mean of seven ultrasound examination from 17 to 63 days from estimated ovulation (progesterone 5-10 ng/ml). A condition of foetal anasarca in one or more foetuses was diagnosed in 4 bitches after the 50th day of pregnancy. Ultrasound findings were diffuse or localized subcutaneous oedema, sometimes associated with thoracic and abdominal fluids. Foetal cardiac frequency in affected pups did not significantly differ from unaffected pups (220±20 bpm). Progesterone profiles in the monitored bitches were in the normal range, with values always above 15 ng/ml. Estimation of ovulation day, foetal biometry and progesterone drop were used to plan a C-section that was performed at 62±1 days after ovulation. A total of 14 pups affected by foetal anasarca were extracted live but with a low APGAR score (1-3). Weight was 1.5-4 times increased in affected puppies. Furosemide at the dose of 10mg/Kg im was administered and urination was stimulated every 30 minutes. Every 3 hours the weight loss was measured and every 30g of lost weight 1 mEq of potassium chloride was administered per os. The therapy was efficient in 3 cases (21%), which presented modest fluid accumulation in the region of the neck. The other 11 pups died within 36 hours. English bulldog has a breed genetic predisposition to anasarca. Authors discourage the use of breeders with a history of anasarca in previous pregnancies. Prenatal diagnosis of the disease allows an elective Csection and a prompt neonatal treatment. The efficacy of drugs in pups is controversial for the lack of pharmacodynamic studies; consequently, the empirical efficacy of the proposed treatment1,2 need a wider validation and is probably limited to mild cases. Recovered anasarca pups should not used as breeders. 1. Cunto et al. Diagnosis and treatment of foetal anasarca in two English Bulldog puppies. Pak Vet J 2015, 35: 251-3. 2. Hopper et al. Spontaneous antenatal resolution of canine hydrops fetalis diagnosed by ultrasound. J Small Anim Pract 2004, 45: 2-8. 3. Veronesi et al. Neonatologia veterinaria. EdiSES, Napoli, 2013.