Hematocrit changes in healthy periparturient bitches that underwent elective cesarean section

Hematocrits were measured before each of 406 cesarean sections performed on 324 bitches at term and again after crystalloid fluid therapy administered at 35 mL/kg over 1½-2 hours starting from induction. The mean hematocrit was 44.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 43.8%-44.6%) before cesarean section and 37.8% (95% CI 37.3%-38.2%) after cesarean section and fluid therapy, with a mean decrease of 6.4% points (95% CI 6.1%-6.7%) over all 406 cesarean sections. These results provide the clinician with clear guidelines of the normal expected ranges of hematocrits in bitches before and after cesarean section. Results of this study show that bitches have hematocrits at term that are at the lower end of the normal reference ranges for nonpregnant dogs and that there is no true anemia of pregnancy. It is therefore suggested that if late term bitches present with anemia, other causes besides pregnancy should be considered.