Apgar scoring of puppies delivered by different delivery management systems for the assessment of neonatal outcome.

Apgar scoring of 97 puppies from 18 litters delivered either by medical induction (Group I, n=9) or emergency caesarean section (Group II, n=9) was carried out. A total of 54 and 43 puppies were delivered in group I and II, respectively and their Apgar scores measured at 5min and one hour after birth. The mean ± SE Apgar scores measured at 5min of birth in group I and group II were 3.96 ± 0.38 and 4.84 ± 0.39, respectively. The mean ± SE Apgar scores of puppies at one hour of birth in group I and group II were 6.09 ± 0.31and 6.93 ± 0.33, respectively. Apgar scores at different time periods did not vary significantly between groups but varied significantly within the group. The association between Apgar score at one hour and survivability of puppies at 24 h of birth was analysed. The puppy mortality rate was significantly (p<0.01) higher (63.64 per cent) among those which scored 0-3 than other Apgar scores in group I. The puppy mortality rate and survival rate did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between different Apgar scores of puppies within group II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]