Apgar Score for Newborn Dog Viability Assessment: Differences between English and French Bulldogs Born via Cesarean Section

SIMPLE SUMMARY: After its first description, the use of AS for the evaluation of newborn dogs’ viability has become largely recognized in research and practical settings. Despite the undoubted usefulness, some aspects need to be better clarified. Among these is the possible need for breed-oriented AS modifications, especially when brachycephalic breeds are concerned. The present study aimed to clarify the possible differences in newborn viability between two brachycephalic breeds, often considered similar to each other, but characterized by marked differences. The results have proven that when viability assessed through the AS was concerned, significant differences between EB and FB puppies born via cesarean section were found. Therefore, although both are brachycephalic and bulldogs, EB and FB puppies are viable at birth to a different extent, especially from a neurologic point of view, with EB puppies being less reactive than FB newborns. For this reason, tailored breed-oriented care must be provided to puppies needing special assistance, even if the mortality rate at 7 days of age remains high in EB puppies and deserves a more detailed investigation. ABSTRACT: Even if largely used in canine neonatology, some questions about the Apgar Score (AS) arose. Notably, considering the breed-oriented modifications of the score are needed, slight changes of the score were reported for English (EBs) and French bulldogs (FBs). The present study aimed to evaluate the possible differences between neonatal viability of the two breeds assessed by AS in puppies born via cesarean section. The results obtained from 99 puppies born alive and without malformations (EB = 47, FB = 52) showed significant (p < 0.001) differences in the median AS (seven in EB vs. eight in FB), with Grimace (p < 0.05 for sub-score 0 and p < 0.001 for sub-score 2) and Attitude (p < 0.05) being differently sub-scored between the two breeds. In the 89 alive puppies at 7 days of age, the same difference in the median AS was observed (p < 0.001), and only Grimace was differently sub-scored between the two breeds (p < 0.05 for sub-score 0 and p < 0.01 for sub-score 2). These results suggest that low Grimace could be an intrinsic characteristic of EB newborns, but it could negatively affect the neonatal adaptation process of EBs, providing an indication for focused neonatal assistance. Neonatal mortality at 7 days of age was higher in EBs than in FBs (17 vs. 3.8%, respectively), which deserves further investigations. The study provides further evidence that breed-oriented ASs are needed for a better evaluation and assistance of purebred puppies at birth.