Dystocia in cats under UK primary emergency veterinary care: epidemiology, clinical management and outcomes

Abstract

Objectives To explore the epidemiology, clinical management and outcomes for feline dystocia cases presented to UK primary emergency veterinary care. Materials and Methods Retrospective observational cross‐sectional study. Demographic and clinical data were extracted on feline dystocia cases under emergency care (2017 to 2023). Risk factor analysis used multivariable binary logistic regression. Results Among 118,168 queens, 1102 dystocia cases were identified, giving an overall incidence risk of 0.93% (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). Purebred queens had 2.53 (95% CI 2.16 to 2.97) times odds of dystocia compared to crossbred queens. Brachycephalic queens had 3.27 (95% CI 2.68 to 3.98) times odds of dystocia compared to non‐brachycephalic queens. Individual breeds with the highest odds of dystocia compared with crossbred queens were Devon Rex (OR: 10.38, 95% CI 4.61 to 23.37), Tonkinese (OR: 8.27, 95% CI 2.92 to 23.43), Birman (OR: 7.40, 95% CI 3.17 to 17.28), Exotic (OR: 6.29, 95% CI 2.23 to 17.73) and British Short Hair (OR: 3.81, 95% CI 2.96 to 4.89). Initial medical dystocia management included oxytocin in 386/1102 (35.02%) cases, with 104/386 (26.94%) of oxytocin‐treated cases progressing to caesarean section. Overall, caesarean section was performed in 394/1102 (35.75%) queens. Litters of 5 to 6 kittens showed 6.54 (4.36 to 9.81) times odds of caesarean section compared with litters of 1 to 2. During emergency care, 38 of 1102 (3.45%) dystocic queens died. The neonatal mortality rate was 1072 of 2784 (38.51%) kittens born across all dystocia cases. Clinical Significance These findings indicate substantial impact from dystocia on feline maternal and neonatal welfare and survival. Awareness of higher dystocia risk in purebred, brachycephalic and certain breed queens can help veterinary staff and breeders better predict and prepare for maternal and neonatal care requirements.