Gestation of fetuses with hydropsy in brachycephalic breeds

Abstract

Fetal hydrops or congenital edema is characterized by excessive accumulation of subcutaneous fluids with
or without thoracic and abdominal effusion. Thirty-four females (13 English Bulldogs, 9 French Bulldogs,
and 12 American Bullies) with a total of 173 puppies born were studied. All females were monitored from
the breeding service and underwent scheduled cesarean section 56 days after the first day of cytological
diestrus. In 3 litters of French Bulldogs, 5 litters of English Bulldogs, and 2 litters of American Bullies,
puppies with anasarca were born. The observed degrees of anasarca ranged from severe to mild. All puppies
born with anasarca died within 2 hours of birth. Our results suggest the presence of a hereditary factor.
However, further studies are needed to clarify the heritability of the problem by identifying the genes
involved in the breeding lines that produce puppies with anasarca1.